Turning Everyday Walks into Adventure
Many folks frequently stroll through their neighborhoods greeting others, noting seasonal changes in yards and updates to homes. Others walk the same streets on autopilot, missing out on things that can make a walk more interesting.
It’s easy to turn routine walks into fun experiences and even adventures. The secret is being mindful of your surroundings. Or, even better, choosing things to seek and find along the way.
A friend of mine who often walked the neighbor-hood with her toddler grandson wanted to find
a way to hold his attention during their first walks together. She came up with a fun idea to turn their everyday strolls into something more fun.
She started by having her grandson focus on shapes. Sure enough, when the “shape of the day” was round, he found tires, tree stumps, fire hydrants, and manhole covers. She took photos of him with the things he found, preserving her treasured memories of their shared time and bonding.
Her grandson loves “being a detective” and learning as his grandma calls out the shapes, colors, or things from nature they’ll be searching out on a given day.
We in the PNW are lucky to have so much to explore on everyday walks. Even alone, there are fun things to look for, including Little Free Libraries, Sidewalk Joy, The Horse Project, Poetry posts, Peace Poles, or the fairy gardens brightening some yards. Most of these have websites with photos, background info, and fun details.
When I walk, my joy is sidewalks. I may have a route in mind, but when I come to a corner and there is a slightly curved street leading to shade trees or yards full of colorful flowers, the sidewalk takes me in a different direction. Usually, it’s a win!
Last spring when the cherry trees were in full bloom along a street I drove almost daily,
I parked and walked the sidewalk beneath those beautiful blossoms.
It’s moments like those that transform an otherwise uneventful walk into a genuine delight.
Pat Jewett
50plus Magazine
Pat Jewett calls herself an ordinary walker, is a Fellow of the 2017 America Walks College, and has an eclectic website about walking: allthingswalking.com.