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?
Wonderful works you have in your blogs. Enjoy browsing through your pieces of art. Will be back to see more works of yours.
Posted by: LatestAmericanIdol | June 29, 2009 at 06:41 PM
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.
Posted by: Linda | June 12, 2009 at 01:08 AM
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.
Posted by: marly youmans | June 07, 2009 at 03:57 PM
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!)
Posted by: Cathy (Kate) Johnson | June 07, 2009 at 12:01 PM
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.
Posted by: Laura | June 06, 2009 at 09:52 PM
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.
Posted by: Robyn | June 06, 2009 at 12:53 PM