A Walk In The Park
An almost daily routine is to set aside an hour for a walk. The occasion might be early in the morning, and most often in the evening as the sun is setting. It is an important time of heart pumping and soul cleansing. Communion with God comes easy for me as I am surrounded with nature and fresh air. So the walk tends to be brisk and the prayer casual. An hour: that’s warm-up and cool-down times, and fifty minutes for a brisk stroll.
It is the amount of time it takes for me to walk three miles, at a fast pace that gets my heart to pumping and mind to working. I understand, for a walk to have its best health benefit, the heart rate needs to be elevated and kept up for at least thirty minutes. Also I understand, for maximum benefit, a mile should be traveled in at least fifteen minutes. I’m still working to obtain that benchmark.
For several years my happy travel companion was my faithful little dog, Bailey. As my regular readers are aware, we lost Bailey about two years ago. He was so much a part of the experience that I quit my daily walks for several months. Now that I’m back to regular walks along our familiar paths, I still sometimes find myself scanning the woods and distant hills dreaming that just maybe my little dog will come running. That would be nice! My walking pal now is Big Dog, a German Shepherd mix who showed up half-starved in my back yard and just refused to leave. I made a futile effort to find his owner and determined he was most like abandoned. He has one eye and a huge heart. He loves to jump into my little Chevy and happily ride to the park, all along whimpering in delight and slobbering on the windows. I utilize a heavy-duty leash. It holds firm, although occasionally he will give chase to a rabbit or squirrel and try his best to pull my shoulder out of socket when the leash comes to its limit. All in all, he’s a shedding, slobbering, happy-go-lucky, wonderful walking pal.
This area in which I live has an amazing assortment of walking trails. I doubt there to be many places better suited for daily walks. Except, perhaps, Hawaii? Most of the dozens of walking/biking trails are maintained by the County or local cities, the result of wise management of tax revenues. Interestingly, many of the parks have resident law enforcement officers, who live on the park premises and therefore help to keep the public safe.
My intention for the next several months is to take you along for a weekly walk. I will try to include some photos, links, and hopefully some unique perspective. So put on some comfy clothes and walking shoes- no boots needed, and let’s have some fun, enjoy this beautiful world, and try to stay in shape. These installments will be on Thursdays.
For warm-up, here is a photo from a recent walk. As Big Dog and I strolled along a wooded trail, a couple of young men met me and with great caution one said, “Be careful. There’s a big snake up ahead. He’s right in the middle of the walk!” I thought, Great- I would like to see a snake. Snakes are good. They eat rodents. They help maintain an important equilibrium of nature. And they simply need for us to enjoy them from a distance, and leave them alone. I like to have snakes in my garden- like I said, they keep the critters away.
So, here’s the snake. It looks very much like a stick. Because….it is a stick. City slickers!
06.09.09 (10:40 am) [
edit]
posted by:
rosietulips (
reply)
post date:
06.09.09 (12:28 pm)
Oooh, I look forward to reading about your walks! There is just something about being around nature and trees that is very comforting.
posted by:
Mike Hale (
reply)
post date:
06.09.09 (1:42 pm)
Hi Dave,
Looking forward to the Thursday walks. Also, I never did get to meet Bailey...but I do remember George and Blacky very well....lol. Now those were dogs any man would be proud of. Not of the nice blood lines, but were of the Heinz 57 variety, but man were they loyal to you. Take care and watch out for those snakes.
posted by:
barnabus1 (
reply)
post date:
06.09.09 (1:59 pm)
A good walk can clear the mind...they say...I should try it and see! hehe Really glad you can tolerate shedding, slobbering dogs, those days are gone for me! I really think this will be an interesting series!!! Bring it on!!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.09.09 (2:11 pm)
Reply to: rosietulips
I agree. I've always enjoyed hiking in the woods. The habit was instilled in me as a little boy when our house was next to what seemed an endless forest. It was the foothills of the Appalachians, what we called Lookout Mountain, and I roamed the woods for hours almost daily. It was great, and I still enjoy it when I have opportunity.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.09.09 (2:13 pm)
Reply to: Mike Hale
Yes sir, George & Blackie were two mighty fine dogs. My brother found Blackie trapped in a pit far back in the woods. Brought him home. George was a gift to my mom from her boyfriend, who became her husband. He was my buddy, and withstood lots of abuse from a crazy kid or two- yourself not being one of them, of course!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.09.09 (2:14 pm)
Reply to: barnabus1
Everybody needs a good dog, even you! Slobbering, shedding, etc.- I've known people who have done worse. Go to the animal shelter and get you a dog- they make the best friends.
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
06.09.09 (3:33 pm)
Did the stick bite you?
posted by:
toztee (
reply)
post date:
06.11.09 (10:05 am)
Hey there dear cousin. Now this kind of blog from you can cause me to find reason to leave a comment. Usually I just read them and exit. I'm not into debate and seldom up for a discussion and politics plainly disgust me. Today's blog gave me moments for pause. I love the pictures, humor (which was not one of your goofy jokes...I tend to agree with your kids about that) and the peace I could feel, the educational moment about the heart rate, etc. Plus I loved the memories of Blackie and George. I barely remember George. Was he that hairy dog? I do have lots of memories of Blackie. I loved that rascal. Was Cal the brother that found him? Was it in that pit up on the side of the mountain across from where ya'll lived? We have a pretty little walking park down across from the old train depot that they have named the AlabamA park...oh guess why? (Nothing to do with football.) Still it is is prettty. They have really fixed City Park up too. Say is the Mike Hale on here the one that was your neighborhood pal? If so, I really loved his Mom. Oh, and he was a nice guy too, but I did know his mom rather well.
Take Care Cousin...give your Moma a hug from me and my sister. I loved seeing the picture of her in an earlier blog. (Excuse gramar, spelling, and punctuation please...I'm not a scholar or such and sometimes it feels like you need to be in order to leave a comment on here.)
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
06.18.09 (5:46 pm)
nice post ~ looking forward to these walks in the park with or w/o Big Dog! Hope he like lots of friends that will be coming along for the walk.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.18.09 (6:13 pm)
Reply to: auntconi
Now that would be nice, indeed! Big Dog tells me he especially would like to meet you and will gladly consume any treats you may bring along. Me too.
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
06.18.09 (6:17 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Well it is a confirmed then ~ see you ~ will bring treats!!!
:)
