Make Time to Walk

Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time. ~Steven Wright

I was born a walker. Growing up in a one car family that my father needed to get to work while living in the outskirts of town meant that if you wanted to do anything or go anywhere you relied on your feet. This was so ingrained that I did not bother get a drivers license until I was 25. When I moved to the city in my early adulthood, I relied on buses to transport me to work until a strike taught me that the hour and a half walk to and from was reasonable and pleasant, at least on the good weather days. For seven years, while living in the car-obsessed and sidewalk-phobic suburban USA, I slowly lost the habit, but I've been gaining it back, going on almost daily adventures of urban exploration.

It never ceases to amaze me how little many of my friends know of their own backyards, even when they have lived in the area all their lives. We have traded an adventurers' soul for the mundane, stress inducing car commute, even driving to the store a few blocks away. Reassessing my own life and stress, I came to the realization that I was a lot happier as a walker, in the fresh air, in nature, interacting with people, seeing the small little things that make city life or country living so pleasurable, and which often get missed in the car.

I'll share my favourite walks and memories in and around my current home of Toronto, as well as Halifax, Chicago and Paris. Take a stroll with me.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

In Other News, Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Today's walk was a short one, courtesy of a sick child.  Enough to get the boys out to do their business.  It was too bad given that the air was clear, crisp and still, but not too cold.  It was the perfect winter day to get out.

I'm a regular CBC Metro Morning listener and was pleased to hear the two interviews they did this morning to help inspire people to get out and embrace the cold.  I need the motivation myself, not being a winter person.  I was particularly excited to hear of the Toronto Outdoor club as I have never come across mention of that before.  This evening's night hike through the central ravines that they discussed this morning was booked solid and had a good waiting list so I was a little disappointed but I've signed on as a member and I hope that I can get a few hikes in with some like-minded souls.  I'm giddy!

Toronto Outdoor Club

On a sad note, a pedestrian was fatally hit by a streetcar this morning.  These events happen far too frequently and break my heart.  Let's be careful out there.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/01/11/pedestrian-killed-in-queen-st-streetcar-collision-reports/
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