Walking the walk

In February, I started power walking three times a week,  an hour and a half each time, all around my town. I feel reborn! Not only do I get the endorphins whipped into a frenzy, but I'm getting to know my town in a new way---I'm finding streets and neighborhoods I had no clue about. I've run these streets, I've biked these streets. I've driven these streets. But walking these streets... that's a different story. As is my wont, I've thrown myself into this new pursuit with all my heart. Here are some books I've read on walking, for example: The Lost Art of Walking by Geoff Nicholson. A thinnish book that meanders a bit too much, mixing some history with personal anecdotes and a filler chapter on photographers. Worth reading if you stumble on it (get it?), but not worth making a trek for. (Oops.)

The Places in Between by Rory Stewart. He walked ACROSS AFGHANISTAN! In 2002! He's young, he's extremely passionate! Very worth reading, especially in these times when we need to cure our ignorance about this country and its neighbors. On Walking by Joseph Amato. Just started this one. More scholarly than Nicholson. There's lots of anthropology and careful historical context-laying. Not a page turner, but then, we weren't expecting it to be. Were we?

Combining sketching or painting with walking isn't my focus right now, since I'm in it for the hard workout, but others do this very successfully. Julie Oakley is one such, a pioneer sketcher/walker, whose One Mile from Home project can be seen here. Katherine Tyrrell is another such. As is HER wont, she's organized a whole new group called Sketchercise and she's invited me to participate. I'll keep a sketch log of things I pick up while walking and draw later.

I found some wonderful shoes for summer walking. They're pictured above. They're lightweight (so packable) but sturdy and supportive. I think they're technically water shoes, but, good. If I encounter any rushing torrents or tsunamis in our neighborhoods, I'll be ready for them.

Oh, and when the time for Brittany comes, I'll be walking, I'll be sketching, I'll be painting. I'll be wearing my shoes.

What about you? Want to go for a walk?

Comments

[TeriC]

I've just been getting caught up on your life. You are so busy and sharing all these wonderful paintings. What a pleasure to browse through here.

I know the pleasures of walking also only I started4 years ago and it nevers gets old!

[sue]

These are great, Laura! I heard Rory Stewart interviewed and was fascinated by his story. I happen to think walking is the greatest exercise. Good for you!

[Cathy]

I just love your shoes so much, they could almost make me want to start walking myself!!!

[Cathy G]

I walk, and I sketch, now I just have to do both together...I'm thinking about joining in on this, though I also want a workout (only manage 40 minutes so far) and not sure about stopping to sketch halfway along - winter here and that would be chilly! I absolutely love the shoe sketch, those look like they'd take off on their own!

[julia@kolo]

Hurray for walking! We walk in Prague all the time, and it is a wonderful way to see a city. The challenge I try to give myself is to walk away from my usual paths and see new things regularly. I take my camera to inspire me to keep looking.

We're heading to Brittany for our third year this August. I love that coast, and am really looking forward to the delicious seafood (not to mention the cider!). Let me know if you're looking for any ideas on where to go (mussel farms are really fun) and if you haven't seen it before, Box Elder is a wonderful blog by a British photographer/poet, set in Brittany.

[africantapestry]

a fun sketch.. they look like they are just ready to take off!
Ronell

[larry]

Laura--I think my favorite book on walking is Rebecca Solnit's "Wanderlust: A History of Walking."

[df]

Do you have to wear socks with those for long walks? I love those for summer.

[Prêt à Voyager]

i LOVE walking! studying abroad in paris taught me to love the city, walking, and most importantly getting lost. i've lived without a car of over 3 years now. my favorite thing about walking is that magically one way streets become 2-way when you're on your feet :)

bon weekend!
A

[Katherine]

Those look great walking shoes! Thanks for the mention - I'm going to do a post about Sketchercise next week and will reference this one then.

[Robyn]

Great shoes, Laura, but two pairs! Mrs Marcos?;)

I have trouble taking walking seriously as exercise because of the joy of it. Why do I think that if something is good for me it has to feel awful? Anyway it's a joy six mornings per week and I too haven't yet managed to stop for a sketch.

[Laura]

Thanks so much, everyone! Pret, how was Paris?? Larry, I will look up that book for certain---any book recommendation from you is one to be seriously noted. Robyn--TWO pairs makes me Imelda?? We need to talk ;D.
I love walking, too. I'm not going to stop to sketch, but will sketch afterwards. At least, as far as my daily routine goes.
Dee, NO, I don't have to wear socks!!! They're Merrell Siren Mariannes. Check 'em out at Zappos ;D.

[Cathy (Kate) Johnson]

Ooooh, sorry I missed this! What a delightful post...and yes, walking is GREAT. I once walked my way right out of a serious depression--great stuff! (I like your shoes, too, Miss Laura!)

[marly youmans]

Walking is good, and walking in Chapel Hill was grand, but up here--well, I shall never adjust to the cold! I am now a confirmed rebounder.

Good to see your new work... I'm also popping by to see what you've recommended for pastels, as I'm signing my daughter up for a Handell workshop. I'm sure you're full of advice, if I can only find it.

[Linda]

What is the name of those walking shoes? They look stylish as well as being good for walking. I walk when in Provence but it's all up hill one way-but I get some great views. No neighborhood to speak of.

[LatestAmericanIdol]

Wonderful works you have in your blogs. Enjoy browsing through your pieces of art. Will be back to see more works of yours.