I have lost my hiking partners. All have lost interest and no way am I going to trek through the woods alone. I miss it more than I can say. Those walks in the morning were a way to connect to people in real life who were not coaches, teachers, and therapists. We spent a hour talking and moving. When I got home I would feel amazing and ready to work. I can start riding my bike soon in the morning but I hate wearing gloves and it is a bit too cold still.
These days I walk while the kids swim. The kids swim in the suburbs near my house. I get out and walk for an hour, it clears my head, although I miss having a partner. I am a person who HATES walking a track or round and round. I want to go somewhere, hit a mid point, and come back. Tonight I explored the vicinity of Plymouth Meeting High School. Woah. I took my life in my hands. Of course there are bad drivers in the city but there is not enough room for them to get their car up to 80mph before they slam on the breaks at a light. I was on the sidewalk but at times the sidewalk disappeared entirely and I was walking in the road where the cars going 80 mph were grazing my hip. The corner where there is a huge park with a playground had a high curb and gravel on the other side. I bet that is a great place to cross with a stroller.
I am all about walkability. If you can’t get out to excecise on a given day I go out and walk to do my errands. It takes a little longer but you get moving in some way. I am going to think twice about walking the route I did tonight. Why are so many suburbs so car centric and tell me people want to walk and not just drive everywhere.
March 6, 2013 at 3:56 am
Good for you to keep up the walking. I wished I lived closer, I would hike with you.
March 6, 2013 at 5:28 am
Ah- yes! Disappearing sidewalks! I know them well. Never figured that one out. One would think there was a legality involved there that was not being enforced. It’s challenging, and as you said- dangerous. I have had plenty of experience with this in South Jersey- land of the car. I always got the feeling that pedestrians were not only ignored but actively not wanted in that environment- sometimes to the point of near hostility. Same with bikes. Once I was given a ride where the driver was yelling at a cyclist “You’re not a car!”, evidently in full belief that the bike had no business being on the road. It’s crazy out there- to be sure.
March 6, 2013 at 6:17 am
Yes–I live in a reasonably walkable neighborhood of a town where everyone who’s anyone is out walking or running or walking their dogs, but the sidewalk situation is terrible. I used to walk much more when I was in the city (and felt much safer doing it).