Several years ago my friend Judy, owner of Ball and Skein, started blogging about walks every Wednesday. I always enjoyed her photos and stories about being outside, often in the woods, and now I’m jumping on this bandwagon.
Dale and I have gotten in the habit of taking a Sunday afternoon drive and finding someplace outside to walk. It’s been a great way to get out of the house and see some beautiful foliage and get some movement into our day, too.
I took this photo two weeks ago. Our walk was along some powerlines in the woods and the colors were gorgeous. Dale can’t quite keep up with me entirely just yet but we’re managing. I sometimes get ahead of him and wait for him to catch up. And when he’s gone as far as his leg will tolerate, I head on without him and then circle back. The irony of me finally wanting to walk in the woods with him after he’s asked me to do this for years and him not being in an ideal condition to do this now that I’m interested is not lost on either of us.
Last Sunday we wound up at a conservation area in a nearby town. We had originally tried two other places which are well known and therefore were very crowded. As in, I looked out the window and said no way am I getting out of the car here. But these woods we found, rather by chance, were gorgeous. Perhaps, for me anyway, even magical as I stopped and paused and just . . . listened . . . to the falling leaves and subtle sounds of the woods that you can only hear when you are quiet.
A few weeks ago I was telling a friend that I hate walking. What I’ve discovered lately is that I hate walking on roads, sidewalks, and pavement. Turns out I love walking when I’m in the woods.
Sometimes the key to enjoying activity is discovering what energizes you. Hubs adores hiking in a challenging environment. Once he observed my much shorter legs struggle with navigating stepping up on rocks he easily cleared, he understood why it wasn’t my jam. Glad you and Dale are in sync. Great motivation for him to keep working on his strength and stamina.
Sometimes it is the “by chance” things that are the most amazing! What amazing colors! 🙂
What a beautiful new habit, Carole. Good for both of you, and gives you some mindful time in nature. The pictures are lovely, and BTW, I love the color of that sweater on you. Have a good Wednesday.
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Oops – that was supposed to be a “thumbs up”!
I love walking in the woods and I need to get myself out of the neighborhood and on the trail more often. We don’t have sidewalks here. Love the colors of your trees.
I’ve always been happy to walk, but I find it’s a lot more motivating to keep going if there are interesting things to see, and lately I’ve gotten a little bored with my walks because they’re always the same. Perhaps it’s time to drive to a more interesting walking place like you did!
I’m so glad you’ve made this discovery! Come see me one of these days and we’ll take a big walk in the woods!
This post makes me all kinds of happy! XO
(And, lucky for you and Dale, you live in an area with many places to get off the road, sidewalks, and pavement. Enjoy your new found passion. How fun it will be to watch the seasons unfold around you.)
Walking in the woods is so much more gratifying than on crowded sidewalks, and it sounds like you and Dale have figured out something that works for both of you. I rarely drive to different places to take a walk but it sounds like that might be a good idea to try!
Woods are my church…. I find it interesting that in order to get a walk in around the neighborhood I do better with a book on tape, but in the woods I just want to be in nature.
There is something magical about walking on natural surfaces rather than manmade ones. Your photos are beautiful. Hopefully Dale will be able to keep up with you soon.
A fall walk in the woods is for sure a thing of beauty! I think I’m going to take myself to the park tomorrow (I haven’t been since Labor Day) to enjoy the season. Honestly, I don’t know ANYone who enjoys walking with cars. well, maybe unless they’re on NYC sidewalks?