The Best Walk

Listed below are the Top Ten walks in the United States for 2006 according to About.com. After reviewing the list, I would have to agree with most of these. Those that I would question would be the walks that take place in metropolitan areas. While I agree that metropolitan area walks are fun and offer good exercise value, I don’t think they offer as much stress relief as a walk in a more natural area. Because I feel that The Best Walk equally enhances your physical and mental condition, my list would not include any city walks. But, I would certainly include Bryce Canyon (pictured above). What’s your opinion?

1. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

2. Beaufort, South Carolina

3. Zion National Park - Cedar City, Utah

4. Silver Falls State Park, Silverton, Oregon

5. Chicago, Illinois Lakeshore Walk

6. Santa Fe, New Mexico

7. Woodstock, Vermont

8. Boston Freedom Trail, MA

9. Coronado, Cal

10. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Filed under: General on April 3rd, 2007 | No Comments »

From where I live in Hudson, MA - Gates Pond is only about five miles a way and the short drive is well worth it. The two and a half mile walking trail circles an unspoiled pond keeping the water is in constant view. The woodlands surrounding the pond are also unspoiled, no cottages, liter, etc. Because this property has been left in its natural condition, Gates Pond is a rare find. The water is part of Hudson’s water reservoir which probably explains the lack of any development. All things considered, this is a great walk!

Our walk took place this morning (April 8th) and there are still patches of snow on the ground. The temperature was in the low thirties (F) and it was windy. However the sun was shining enough to keep us comfortable except for the shadier areas. And, as with most walks, the body heat kicked within the first twenty minutes. As a matter of fact, we walked at a faster pace ensure that process worked. It did. As we walked along the shore, we noticed that the scenery was good on both sides of us - in the woods and lakeside. At a couple of spots in the woods you can see stone walls - a common sight in the New England woods. We’re told they were build by farmers years ago as they cleared the fields. The walls marked either field or property boundaries.

We saw a couple of joggers and walkers coming the other way and all were friendly. At about the three quarter point of the walk there were a few noisy ducks. (It’s amazing how much noise just a couple of them can make!) By the end of the walk we wished that the trail was longer. The next time we visit Gates pond we’ll go around a second time.

There’s something else that makes this a great walk. It’s real easy to get to. It’s right off of Route 495 and very near the 495 / 290 intersection. If you get off Route 495 at exit 26, take Route 62 towards Berlin. Then take a left on Taylor road and follow it to the end. That’s it. It’s easy to get to and a great walk.

Filed under: Central MA on April 8th, 2007 | No Comments »

For some reason we’ve drive past the a park in Sudbury, MA about a hundred times without stopping. The park is on Hudson Road which use when traveling East to Boston and there is a sign clearer calling attention to it. And, our house in Hudson is less than two miles away. We never stopped, but should have because this is a good place to stop and go for a walk. Here you can walk for hours without repeating. The scenery is good (not great - but very acceptable). The positives are in the ease of access and the ability to take long easy walks. My wife and I stopped there last Saturday morning and we were glad we did. In the end we left we park feeling pleased that we found a great alternative to neighborhood walking.

This area was once a military reservation and was an annex to Fort Devens (in Ayer, MA). Almost all signs of the military complex are long gone. However we did walk by a small Air Force compound at one end. We saw a tracking tower in a fenced in area. There were a couple of trucks parked there, but no other signs of life. We walked by then spent our time walking along the long abandoned roads. There’s not a lot of variation to the landscape, but there are a couple of streams, hills, and at one end a small pond. In a couple of spots you can see that the park is a work in progress. Trails are being worked on in the wooded areas and a few small signs announced the upcoming demolition of the military remnants. The small Air Force base appears to be there for the long haul - but it’s off to one end.

Our walk started along on a trail system in the wooded area. But the walk was hindered by icy snow in the shadier areas. One we noticed there were clearer walk ways, the temptation to use change trails was just too great. Our “new trails” were in fact the abandoned military access roads. Away from the shade, the sun could now warm us. We didn’t mind that at all since it was a rather chilly morning in low high 20s(F). This was my wifes first long walk since before Winter started. She was glad we found an easy walk. Judging the distance by the time we spent, we walked around six miles. The quietness of the area made this a very pleasant experience.

 

 

Filed under: Central MA on April 10th, 2007 | 1 Comment »

Which burns more calories - walking a mile or running a mile?

Here’s the answer from Dr. Dean Ornish, a clinical professor of medicine at UC San Francisco:

“All things being equal, you will burn more calories by running an hour than walking an hour. It is true that walking a mile will burn more calories than running a mile — although it takes longer to do so. When you run a mile, you’re burning mostly sugar, or
carbohydrates, which is how your body gives you fast energy in bursts. When you walk a mile, it gives your metabolism time to switch from burning carbohydrates to burning fat.”

So walking wins. But, let’s say they are equal, or almost equal. Again, walking wins because it’s just more enjoyable to walk.

Filed under: General on April 10th, 2007 | No Comments »

One of this year’s Christmas presents from my daughter Julie was John Gibson’s “Walking the New England Coast”. I have found the book to be a great guide to walking areas near our home in Hudson. And as a matter of fact we’ll be using one of his suggested walks this weekend at Nickerson State Park on Cape Cod. He presents many walks that I would not noticed - but should have. For that I own Mr. Gibson my thanks. But what was most interesting and incredibly insightful was the book’s introduction. This book’s author expresses his point a view with perfect accuracy and passion. And, I agree with it! So here it is from John Gibson’s “Walking the New England Coast”:

“Let us be honest. We have made a mess of things. That life in which we participate, loosely labeled “modern” has failed to live up to its billing. It is a stressful existence, hurried, often superficial, acquisitive, and not much mindful of the roadside, except as we hurtle past. Worse, it is a life indoors in offices, stores, malls, and high-rise monuments to the administrative age - an unnatural life by any standard.

In the mail, advertisements are advanced for two thousand-dollar exercise machines, three-thousand-dollar-a-month “health vacations”, and limitless other expensive bodily manipulations. The rational is obvious: having manufactured an intolerable mode of existence, we ought to purchase manufactured reliefs. Behind it all lingers the embarrassed sense of being less well off than our grandparents, who had a genuine physical existence, however rough, in a real, physical world. We have, in the name of slick affluence, outsmarted ourselves. And thus we languish in the chromium-pipe racks of the health clubs, imagining what it might feel like to move naturally in a less mechanized world.

The alternative to this deliberate discomfort is so beautifully simple, so close at hand, that we don’t see it. Come walk in the woods. Stroll along the New England shore and reconnect with that world beyond the concrete. Discover whatever suits you. You will need no exercise machines, club memberships, health resort treatments. A decent pair of walking shoes, a small day pack, and some binoculars will suffice. Walking, away from the man-made world, exhilarates, refreshes, restores, empowers, ennobles. It costs essentially nothing.

For decades physiologists have extolled the systemic virtues of walking, but one does not need to medically research the obvious. It simply feels better. One of the reasons our grandparents thrived in a world with fewer things was, of course, that they walked. My paternal grandfather, though he had a horse, walked at least fifteen miles per day as a patrolman covering a beat in the tougher neighborhoods of turn-of-the-century Boston. In his eighties, he could pick me up with all of my hundred pound weight hanging on one arm. He had never been to a health club, but he walked.

The benefits of cruising New England’s wooded shore are more than physical. Psychological payoffs from walking through unspoiled countryside free of human rearrangement are legion. Once, sitting next to the summit of New Hampshire’s wintry Mt. Washington eating a near frozen sandwich, I watched an unexpected human presence approach through the clouds. A successful bored businessman joined me on the top, having made an accidental, almost impossible ascent of the iced-up mountain. Largely unprepared, out for a walk, he had negotiated buried trails and ice gullies or worse, and here he was! He was lost, in danger, but he had never escaped from his office quite like this before and he was deliriously happy. All of his business success had left him bored and stalled, but a tough walk on the mountain had restored his excitement for living. One can get this feeling of rejuvenation in the natural world without clambering up a mountain, of course. A walk in nearby woods, perhaps with the rolling ocean as a backdrop, can do the job nicely. One needs only to begin.”

.

.

Good walking,

John Gibson

About the author (from the back cover of “Walking the New England Coast”):

John Gibson has been introducing hikers to New England’s special places for over 15 years through his books: 50 Hikes in Maine, 50 Hikes in Southern Maine, and Walking the Maine Coast (now in its second edition). Hallowell, Maine is his home when he is not out tramping the trails in New England, Ireland, or Western Europe. 

Filed under: New England on April 11th, 2007 | No Comments »

According to the following information in The Mayo Clinic, walking can help you achieve a number of important health benefits. For example, you can:

• Reduce your risk of a heart attack. Walking keeps your heart healthy by lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) and raising high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol). A regular walking program also reduces your risk of developing high blood pressure, a factor that also contributes to heart disease.
• Manage your blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, walking may reduce it.
• Reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Regular exercise reduces your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you’re a woman, overweight and at a high risk of diabetes, walking can improve your body’s ability to process sugar (glucose tolerance).
• Manage your diabetes. If you already have type 2 diabetes, taking part in a regular walking program can improve your body’s ability to process sugar, lower your blood sugar, reduce your risk of heart disease and help you live longer.
• Manage your weight. Walking burns calories, which can help you manage your weight.
• Manage stress and boost your spirits. Going for a brisk walk is a great way to reduce stress. Regular walking also can reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.
• Stay strong and active. As you get older, walking for physical fitness can prevent falls, help you stay mobile and maintain your independence.

Filed under: General on April 12th, 2007 | No Comments »

Purgatory Chasm competes with Wachusett Mountain for The Best Walk in Central Massachusetts. Why? Because of its uniqueness. Purgatory Chasm runs for a quarter of a mile between granite walls rising as high as 70 feet. The Chasm is believed to have its origin in the sudden release of dammed-up glacial melt-water near the end of the last Ice Age, approximately 14,000 years ago. To best enjoy this park, you should spend some time walking through the middle of the chasm where the rocks of all sizes create every type of formations. There are tight passageways, caves, and tough areas to climb across. Being in shape helps. For those not able or aren’t up to the more challenging areas, there are paths around the outer sections that offer a good walk without the physical challenge.

We entered the park and took a path to our left. This brought us uphill where we could see that to our right was a sharp drove off. Closer inspection revealed that it was a cliff peering over the chasm - a great view. The trail continued and slowly wound its way to the lower level. From the we turned right, entered the chasm, and began climbing over the rocks. After about twenty minutes into this section we stopped to catch our breath. We then slowed down a bit and began zig-zagging across the area until we noticed a few rock climbers. We stopped to watch them for a while. Later we learned that they were a group of students from a nearby college. From this point we were able to walk to another trail which brought us back near the entrance of the park. We spent some time following a trail on the other side of the chasm, then circled back to the entrance.

The combination of unique scenery and the various challenges make this walk worthwhile.

Purgatory Chasm Legend:

Hobomoko (the Native American devil) carried a woman to Purgatory Chasm after she had murdered a “white man”. When the woman began to fight, Hobomoko hit her head against a boulder and attacked her with a tomahawk. The bowl-like depressions show where her head hit the boulder, the ax-marks where the tomahawk struck, and the footprints in the vein of stone where he carried his victim’s body to the edge of the fissure.

Park Directions:
Purgatory Chasm State Reservation is located in the south-eastern part of central Massachusetts.

From the east & west: Take Mass Pike to Exit 10A, take Rt.146 south into Town of Sutton, take Purgatory Road Exit, take right at end of ramp onto Purgatory Road, park is 1,000 feet up the road.

From the north and south: Take Rt. 495 to Mass Pike, head West on Mass Pike to Exit 10A, take Rt.146 south into Sutton, take Purgatory Road Exit, take right at end of ramp onto Purgatory Road, park is 1,000 feet up the road.

- or -

From the north:

Take Rte. I90 south to Rte. 290 south into Worcester;

Take Exit 12 at Brosnihan Square onto Rt. 146 -Millbury Street;

Head south on Rt. 146 into the Town of Sutton;

Take Purgatory Road Exit, take right at end of ramp onto Purgatory Road, park is 1,000 feet up the road.

Filed under: Central MA on April 14th, 2007 | No Comments »

The following is an extract from www.capecodcommission.org/pathways/ which is an excellent guide to the long list of Cape Cod walking areas. And, it’s possible that one of those areas may offer The Best Walk!

“The Barnstable County Commissioners and the Cape Cod Commission are working with citizens and organizations from across Cape Cod to create a Capewide network of walking trails. This network is called Cape Cod Pathways. When complete, Cape Cod Pathways will extend from Provincetown to Falmouth and Bourne and provide a connection between the Seashore and the Cape’s wooded interior, between the peninsula’s historic villages and remaining backcountry. Through the work of many volunteers and civic and environmental leaders, the Pathways east-west trail between Provincetown and the upper Cape is approximately now one-third dedicated.

Cape Cod Pathways was initiated in November 1993. Since then the project has garnered widespread support from the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates, Cape Cod National Seashore, town officials, conservation organizations, businesses, and other groups. Trail planning currently under way in Cape Communities will result in newly dedicated trails in the years ahead.

The creation of a Capewide trail network is an ambitious undertaking that requires planning, mapping, community organizing, fundraising, special events, publicity, negotiation of land and easements, clearing, and construction work. Volunteers are needed to assist with these and other tasks to help bring the trail network from plan to pathway! Call (508-362-3828) or e-mail the Cape Cod Commission for further information.”

Filed under: Cape Cod on April 14th, 2007 | No Comments »

Many of the scenes from the recent movie “Wild Hogs” were filmed using Madrid, New Mexico as the backdrop. Madrid is a small community with a population of about three hundred - many of which are artists. While watching the movie I was reminded of a walk we took a few years ago. We traveled to New Mexico with another couple to see the International Balloon Festival in Albuquerque. The trip was suggested by a local ballooner who said that if all went well he might be able to give us a ride. After spending a couple of days watching the balloons depart and touring the fairgrounds, we decided to see what else New Mexico offered.

From Albuquerque Santa Fee is easy to get to via its easy to Route 25. We stayed for a couple of hours walking around the Santa Fee business area. Basically its a collection of shops and museums featuring a Southwestern theme. While there we learned that we could take the more scenic Route 14 back. We were told that this area is also known as the Turquoise Trail and is much more scenic.

Most of the ride back was indeed scenic with colorful rock formation and desert scenes. We soon arrived at Madrid. There is a small uptown area there with side streets leading you up several hills. And, as you might expect, it looks very Western. On one side of the street a diner caught our attention. It was about two in the afternoon and we had forgot about lunch. We went in and to our surprise a blue grass type group was getting ready to play. The music was enjoyable so we took time with lunch. The lead singers voice seemed far superior for this venue, but it made our experience that much better.

After lunch the shops caught the woman’s attention. The guys went for a walk. We took the first side street up to the hills and as with any hill, the higher we climbed the better the scenery. And, in this area of New Mexico the scenery was so much different than anything we had seen, that it was worth stopping a few times to understand what we were looking at.

Years ago Madrid was once a mining town, but once the mining stopped it became a ghost town. But in the early 1970’s, artists and craftspeople arrived. They converted old company stores and houses into quality shops and galleries and services. As a result, you can see still find an abandoned house or even an old piece of furniture out in the rocky hills.

For the most part we stayed along what seemed to be an unused road until the road stopped climbing. We then cut across a field to gain access to an open area which allowed us to continue our climb. We passed a sparse scattering of occupied and unoccupied. dwellings. From the top of the hill we could look down at Madrid. From there we found a dirt road which circled the hill and took us back to town’s center. Other than the unique scenery, this walk offered another benefit. The weather was perfect. It was a dry, slightly windy eighty degrees (F). And, the sun was out. It was a great walk and we debated about extending the walk, but knowing there was more to see ahead, we decided to find our spouses and see what the next stop offered.

Filed under: New Mexico on April 15th, 2007 | No Comments »

The Hudson and Marlboro sections of the Assabet River Tail Trail have recent opened offering an excellent set of paved trails for walkers. The Assabet River Tail Trail is being built along the former Marlborough Branch Railroad line, which ran from 1850 until 1980. It connected the communities of Marlborough, Hudson, Stow, Maynard and Action, where it met the former Boston-Fitchburg Railroad(now operating as the B&M/MBTA Line). The Marlborough and Hudson trails are almost complete. When complete, the trail will extend to Action.

So far all of our walks have originated from Hudson. In order to take The Best Walk along this trail, park on Washington Street in Hudson near Brooks Pharmacy. You’ll see the trail crossing the street, but head in the other direction South towards Marlboro. This section is mostly wooded and later offers a view of the Fort Meadow Lake. There will be some bicyclists and joggers passing once in a while but for the most part its a quiet walk. Once you walk for a while, you’ll notice that the trail system is new and is well kept. As you cross from Hudson to Marlboro, you’ll go through a tunnel under Route 290.

We were impressed that this tunnel was put in place just to support this trail! Once in Marlboro, a trail map is posted to help you determine how long you wish to walk before turning around. Our walks generally take us to the Assabet Valley Regional School then back. And, if we have the time, we’ll go back past the parking area in Hudson, cross Washington Street, then across a bridge over the Assabet River. (Another impressive part of the trail!) From this point the Hudson down town area is straight ahead. We then find ourselves stopping at either Ariba Coffee or Harvest Bagel. before heading back to out car.

Filed under: Central MA on April 17th, 2007 | No Comments »

How can you start a walking routine? Just follow these steps:

• Go on your lunch hour.
• Try parking a half-mile from your workplace, meaning you’ll walk a mile round trip to your car.
• Take a 15-minute walk before or after dinner.
• Make walking a family event. Bring your kids or other relatives.
• When at the mall, take a loop around the complex before stopping at any stores.
• Schedule time into your week to walk. Make an appointment with yourself.
• Once a week, pick a store or coffee shop to walk to instead of driving.

Filed under: General on April 17th, 2007 | No Comments »

After graduating from college our daughter lived in Austin, Texas for about a year and during that time my wife and I went for a visit. Prior to that I was reading a novel which began with a scene from San Antonio’s River Walk. Learning that San Antonio is an easy drive from Austin, we made it a point see it. We arrived in San Antonio fairly early in the morning but late enough to see the first attraction - The Alamo. Surprisingly, it didn’t take that long to see the Alamo. Before the morning was over we drove to a parking area with access to the River Walk. (We learned later that we could have easily walked from the Alamo.)

From the street you descend to the walkway using a wide set of stairs.As you arrive at the lower level you are greeted with a pleasant variety of natural and man made features. The side walks along the San Antonio River are well shaded and lined by shops and restaurants. The River Walk winds and loops under bridges. On both side of the river are sidewalks.

We spent what was left of the morning walking along the sidewalks. For lunch we chose a sidewalk cafe and took our time. All during the walk and while we ate we noticed the river was somewhat populated with sight-seeing boats they called River barges. The rides cost about $5.00 for adults and it takes just under an hour. We took a ride and enjoyed it. After the ride we started walking again.
Along the way we stopped at one of the shops. While there one of the owners told us that the River Walk was the second most popular tourist attraction in Texas just behind The Alamo. So without even trying we had seen the top two Texas attractions and it was only two in the afternoon. The more we walked, the more we liked the River Walk. All areas were well decorated and it was easy to walk around. We were glad we were able to spend the day there.

History of The River Walk from Wikipedia:

The River Walk was the idea of architect Robert Hugman in the late 1920s. As an alternative to paving over the troublesome San Antonio River, Hugman drew out a plan he called “The Shops of Aragon and Romula” which allowed for both flood prevention and commercial development. Hugman maintained his office along the shallow river, despite warnings that he would be “drowned like a rat” and its early reputation as a dangerous hole. (The River Walk was declared off-limits to military personnel at one point.) Hugman persisted, and his office can still be found next door to another early presence on the River Walk, the landmark Casa Rio restaurant.

Crucial funding came in 1939 under the WPA and resulted in the initial construction of a network of some 17,000 linear feet of walkways, about 20 bridges, and extensive plantings including the live oaks whose branches are visible from street level.

Through the following decades the network has been improved and extended, without losing its original character.

Filed under: San Antonio on April 18th, 2007 | No Comments »

From our house in Hudson, MA it takes about forty five minutes to drive to The Best Walk in Central Massachusetts. That walk of course would be one taken at Mount Wachusett in the towns of Princeton and Westminster. Why is this the best place to walk. Well, mountains usually offer a wide variety of trails and great scenery. Mount Wachusett is no exception.

We use this mountain for snow skiing in the winter and for trail walking in the warmer mounts. By the way, Mount Wachusett offers pretty good skiing for a relatively small mountain - probably the best without crossing into New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine. For walking (or hiking) there is a wide range of trails to choose from. There is a visitors center with a couple of rangers on duty offering advice and trail maps. The toughest trail takes you to the summit in a about an hour, but you do have to climb over a fair amount of rocks. On the other extreme, there are a few trails with only only modest inclines.

From the Summit you can see Mount Monadnock to the North and, on a clear day, Boston to the East.

Filed under: Central MA on April 20th, 2007 | No Comments »

Common walking excuses….and Excuse Busters:

1. Don’t have enough time.

But, you DO have enough time. If you work you can walk before or after work, or during you lunch hour. Its more likely that your business is more of a perception brought on by stress than a reality, but let’s say that you are that busy. Well, walking will help you get in better shape helping you cope with your schedule, and give you some time to think about, sort out, and prioritize a few things. The irony of this is that by spending the time walking, you become more efficient and GAIN TIME!

2. I get bored

Well, it shouldn’t be boring. If you are walking on a tread mill or around a small block over and over again, I agree hat is boring. Another example of a boring walk is circling a quarter mile track, which people in my town do! A walk should be done in area that provides some type of scenery and should not be repetitive. You should walk in a relatively quiet area where your not dogging traffic because you should be related. Then you allow mind wander and relax. Then you can think clearly, come up with a new idea or a solution - all while your getting exercise. Believe me, this is not boring. The Best Walk to avoid boredom is taken in a scenic, natural area.

3. I’m tired and out of shape - walking just makes me sore.

Walking is the best place to start. Take small walks and gradually increase them. It will only take a couple of weeks if you walk four or five times a week. If you legs hurt, try walking on softer ground. I don’t think that there’s any disagreement that getting in shape is not only a good idea - but it’s necessary. By the way, you will find that you will gain energy and be less tired.

4. I already belong to a gym.

There’s nothing wrong with belonging to a gym, providing you use it. If you don’t use you gym membership, you in good company. The majority of gym members simply stop going. However, let’s say that you do use you membership. You should still walk. Walking provides you with fresh air, relaxation, and possibly some exercise that you’re not getting at the gym. Perhaps you could skip the treadmill at the gym and concentrate more of the weights.

5. I think that there’s better ways to exercise.

There are better ways to get a workout depending on what you are trying to accomplish. However, considering that walking enhances your physical and mental condition and is done in fresh air, there is no better exercise!

6. It’s too cold or rainy.

That’s possible, but it’s also possible to dress for it. If you were going snow skiing, you would dress appropriately. Just apply the same logic to a walk. And, bring an umbrella.

7. I don’t know where to walk.

You can walk anywhere but remember The Best Walk to is taken in a scenic, natural area.

8. I’m not sure I’m properly equipped.

This is something too many of us get hung up on. You don’t have to go shopping before you go walking. Within reason, all you have to do is to start walking no matter how you’re dressed. You can make adjustments as you go. A coworker I walk with at lunch where’s boat shoes every day. No harm has com to him so far. Don’t get me wrong, there is attire that works very well and will enhance the walk. But, its more important to get started walking.

9. I don’t know how to get started.

The best way is to start is to decide on a walking location that offers the most scenic appeal and start walking there. As you continue walking, make a hobby out of selecting more interesting walking areas.

10. I weigh too much.

Walking is great for weight loss. You will burn more calories walking for an hour than running for an hour. Start slow and work up to longer walks and get thin.

Filed under: General on April 22nd, 2007 | No Comments »

The Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island

For an anniversary present a few years ago our children gave us a great gift - a weekend at a bed and breakfast in Newport, RI! Our anniversary was in September and it we took the trip in October. In New England an October weekend can be warm or on the chilly side. This weekend was cold! But, we enjoyed every minute of it. This was our first stay at a Bed and Breakfast and we really liked the social atmosphere. The hosts were excellent and so were the other guests staying there. (We stayed at the George Champlin Mason House.) During out stay we walked all over Newport and toured a couple of the mansions. But what we really enjoyed was the Cliff Walk.

We almost missed it. Saturday afternoon we walked along Ruggles Avenue not knowing we were within a few steps from the the famous walking area. During breakfast the next morning we listened to the other guests describe the great views they saw. Later that morning we were on the path between the Mansions and the ocean - The Cliff Walk. The walk is three and a half miles long and offers views of the ocean on one side and mansions on the other. It was both a natural setting and a historic one.

As mentioned before the weather was brisk and being in the breeze of the ocean increased the wind chill. But the scenery was great and we were enjoying being in Newport. We stepped up the pace of the walk and before long we began feeling warm. As any couple might do, we walked along and talked about all that was going in our life. Thinking back this was one of the first times I realized how much a walk can put you at ease. A couple of sections of the walk offered some protection from the wind, not much bit enough to keep us walking. Near the end of the trail there were some rough spots. As we entered that area we found we were being sprayed by wind blown sea. (This area has since been improved.) As we turned around we noticed a couple of sailboats going by. We decided to keep walking in the opposite direction.

Don’t let the word “Cliff” in The Cliff Walk bother you. The walk isn’t that high and the railings keep you safe. All but there very end of the walkway is easy (the part we skipped).There were a couple of surprises too. On was we found that many of the areas between the mansions were left in their natural condition. The other was the peacefulness of the walk. Probably because of the weather, there wasn’t many others talking the walk that day. But that was just fine. The Best Walk is peaceful and scenic.

Filed under: Rhode Island on April 23rd, 2007 | No Comments »

Great Winery and Lakeside Walks

Over the years we’ve decided to travel in October - possibly because it’s our last chance to enjoy the remaining warm weather before Winter closes in on us. Our trip to Niagara-On-The-Lake was no exception - and we did have warm temperatures. Since the trip was suggested by our friends Steve and Kathy from Guelph, Ontario, we invited them to join us. All of us stayed at a Bed and Breakfast in the nearby Wine Region.As you probably have guessed, Niagara Falls is pretty close to this area. And, if you haven’t been there, you should - but you also need to see Niagara-On-The-Lake. The town was named the Prettiest Town in Canada and all you have to do is go there to see why. We traveled from Massachusetts flying into the Toronto Airport. On the way to the Bed and Breakfast we stopped by Niagara Falls. The rest of the time was spent walking around the Niagara-On-The-Lake area. If we travel there again (and we will) we’ll do the same thing. Looking back, we spent a day walking through the wineries, a day at a wine festival in nearby St. Catharines, and a day at Niagara-On-The-Lake. All offered good walks. I would say The Best Walk was along the Lake. As for the best wine tasting, …well, they were all good. (There’s no such thing as bad wine tasting.) We also enjoyed the company and the dining and everything about this trip.
All of the walks through this area are easy and pleasant. The photo to the left is of Fort Niagara, now a tourist attraction in the State of New York. The picture was taken standing on the lake shore of Niagara-On-The-Lake. It’s a close as it looks and is completely unguarded (at least it was when we were there). As you can tell, we are very fond of this area. And, there is no doubt that this is a great place for walking. Try it!

Filed under: Canada on April 24th, 2007 | No Comments »

At one point in my career I was required to attend a training class in Phoenix, Arizona. I was to arrive there Sunday and stay until Friday afternoon. Due to the flight schedule and the two hour time change from Boston I was checked into my hotel by one in the afternoon. The hotel was right smack in the middle of the city and the city is quite large. As a matter of fact, I learned that Phoenix is the sixth largest city in the United States. There was something I learned: Phoenix is hot! And I was there in June. The temperature was over a hundred and who knows how much of an effect the city cement the city’s cement had. But I decided on walking anyway. Why? Well a.) I was curious and wanted to see the city and b.) From all I had heard, Phoenix had a dry climate and dry heat was easier to deal with.

So I put left the hotel and started walking. I decided to start by just going around the block and I felt the heat immediately. Up aways I could see traffic light which was probably where I would take a right turn. It took longer to arrive at that corner than I thought, but no problem - I had all afternoon. After turning right I had a pleasant surprise. This street was shaded by the tall buildings. Good deal! But it was still hot and I was beginning to feel like I was in an oven. And, I was starting to appreciate humidity. I kept walking and after what seemed like half in hour I was at the next next corner. I’ll tell you what - Phoenix has some huge blocks! Next I was walking on a parallel street to the hotel, I was feeling the full effect of the hot sun. The sun was reflecting off of the various windows and was blinding. (Did I forget to say that it was hot?) Now I was getting thirsty!

I thought about about what I was doing for a couple of minutes then turned around and headed back to the hotel. I decided to continue my walking plan until after dinner when it should be cooler, maybe in the nineties.

By six that night I had another plan. I wanted to see the desert. I drove to the nearest highway, picked a direction, and started heading away from Phoenix. I didn’t have to go far. In no time at all there was desert on both sides. On my right I could see several roads that went into the desert. I drove for a bit longer then took a rode in. That road was paved but had no traffic. Next I took an unpaved road which went to the left, then pulled over between two cactus plants. I got out and started walking. Here the temperature was comfortable.

In one direction I could see that the unpaved road went towards a hill around which the vegetation was thicker. Around me there was plenty of cactus. Many of the plants seemed to be evenly spaced. Some had branches which reached out and wrapped around another plant. I also noticed that the sand and the rocks has many shades of brown. After walking for a about twenty minutes a jeep went by. Possibly there was either some housed near the hill or whoever was driving the jeep was there for recreation. As I walked along I decided that this was many times more enjoyable than the city walk. Before long I reached the hill and started to ascend. About five minutes later I noticed a couple of houses and that the road I was following went to a garage of one of the houses. This was quite a driveway! And, parked right there was the jeep I saw.

From here I walked back to the car and then drove back to the hotel. During the week I took one more walk in the desert. The scenery on the second walk looked almost the same - but that’s good. The desert scenery is excellent!

Filed under: Phoenix on April 25th, 2007 | No Comments »

Many walking enthusiasts started walking to loose weight

Probably just as many started walking for the exercise - to get in shape for some other activity. I confess that I started walking for both reasons. But what keeps walkers walking is that they enjoy it. They enjoy the fresh air, the scenery, and the body movement. It just feels good.

But since there are many walkers who are trying to shed pounds I decided to offer the food and exercise diet I used. After loosing a shirt size I keep almost the same routine. With all that said, here is the simple diet:

• Before breakfast: Walk three miles on most week days, five miles on Saturday and Sunday.
• Breakfast: Just fruit most days. Vary the fruit from day to day. Also have granola, oatmeal, or a high fiber cereal with a fruit topping two or three times a week. Water and one cup of coffee.
• Before Lunch: Walk two and a half miles.
• Lunch: Just salad most days, chicken salad once in a while (no bread or high calorie dressing). Water.
• Dinner: Fish or small portion of poultry, lots of vegetables, no bread. Water. Vary the fish and vegetables.
• Snack: unsalted nuts, uncooked vegetables, or fruit.
• All Day: Drink water.

Do:

• Drink plenty of water
• Increase the length of the walks
• Vary the meal content

Don’t:

• Consume Carbs
• Consume food with high sodium content
• Stop walking

Remember:

• The Best Walk will be the walk you take because you simply enjoy walking!

Filed under: General on April 26th, 2007 | No Comments »

There is another view of New Jersey…

Most of you know New Jersey. You’ve driven through it after surviving a crossing the George Washington Bridge, or the New Jersey Turnpike. You’ve seen the refineries off of the “Garden State” Parkway. Maybe you been in that sprawl of casinos in Atlantic City, or taken a wrong turn in Trenton, Newark, or Camden. The fact is - everybody has a New Jersey story, and somebody else can top it. But, could it be that not everyone knows the rest of the story. That would be the one about the part of New Jersey’s quiet parts - because seriously, they do exist!

Of all the states, New Jersey has more people per square mile than any other state - over 1,100! Yet with all that population there is a large agricultural area located in the South Central part of the state creating wide open spaces which differentiates it from the rest of the state. New Jersey became known as the Garden State in recognition of the many truck farms that feed residents in New Jersey and nearby states. These farms are among the smallest in the nation but rank among the most valuable in output per acre.  But, you have to know where to fine them.

Last weekend we traveled to Pittsgrove Township New Jersey. My brother Howard, his wife Linda, and my nephew Sean live there. Howard works for the Department of Agriculture and travels throughout New Jersey. We arrived Friday night and awoke Saturday morning ready for a walk. It was The Best Walk we had taken in NJ. We walked with Linda and Howard and had conversations that we should have had long before that walk. We saw the scenic part of rural New Jersey that most would not even try to find - but we found it and enjoyed it. We walked along the long farm roads that you would only expect to see in the center of the country - and here we were in New Jersey! Even growing up in New Jersey I was only slightly aware of how quiet and peaceful this area is.

As we walked along we were able to see newly plowed fields, a few cows, fields with new crops sprouting, orchids, and houses with an over supply of acreage, all of which seemed to belong there. We then walked for a while and saw horse riding lessens in progress and a barn that had already stood too long. Again, they seemed to belong there. As we turned up the next street we were then able to see swampy areas that were just the right tough of scenery for our walk and a lake that was dumping the overflow water into a stream. All the things we saw seemed to be in balance.

My brother called this walking course “The Long Block”. (We took “The Short Block” Sunday Morning.) All of us totally enjoyed being out on a good weather day in the Spring in the fresh air, but more importantly we were out catching up on old times.

Since we’ve been back I’ve wondered how many times do you hear “Let’s go for a walk and talk about it.”? Do you ever wonder what does the walk have to do with it? Maybe the answer is EVERYTHING.

Filed under: New Jersey on April 30th, 2007 | No Comments »