Paths of Beauty

"Walking is a spiritual practice that yields so many dividends: replenishment of the soul, connection with the natural world, problem-solving, self-esteem, health and healing, and heightened attention. Movement seems to encourage dialogue and conviviality, leading to richer conversations with soul mates, friends, and even strangers. Artists report that walking activates the imagination and opens up the creative process. It is deeply restorative. Throughout time, walking has played an enormous role in the devotional life of people from all the world's religions: prayers and mantra practice while walking, pilgrimage to sacred sites, walking the labyrinth, walking meditation, and informal spiritual practices that make the most of strolling, sauntering, or cavorting."
- Walking and Spirituality


"Walking:
Improves your circulation
Shores up your bones
Leads to a longer life
Lightens mood
Can lead to weight loss
Strengthens muscles
Improves strength
Supports your joints
Improves your breath
Slows mental decline
Lowers Alzheimer’s risk
Helps you do more, longer."
– Arthritis Foundation, Walking Program, 2016




One of my walking paths is at Fuller Park, Salmon Creek area, in Vancouver, Washington.  

Walking: Quotes, Poems, Sayings, Facts, Lore.  Complied by Mike Garofalo.

Walks with Bruno

 In Vancouver, Washington, where we have lived since April of 2017, I walk on my suburban neighborhood streets with our dog Bruno.  

I have one route that takes Bruno and I 30 minutes to walk, another route that takes 45 minutes to walk, and a one hour route.  We walk along the edge of wide quiet suburban streets.  The large trees in our neighborhood and the mostly well kept property and landscaping are lovely.  People nod, salute, or say "hello" ... acknowledgement, friendliness, safety, peace.  Some people like the look of my people friendly Bruno dog. 

My dog constantly wants to go on a walkabout.  

I walk on Clark County trails, at local parks, along the Columbia, and home indoors on a treadmill.  In the photo below, my dog, Bruno, and I are walking at the nearby Orchards Community Park.  Lots of trees mean lots of cooler, foggier, rainy days in Southwestern Washington, west of the Cascades peaks like Hood, Adams, St. Helens, Rainer.  Orchards Park is adjacent to the I 205 Freeway, so it is far nosier walking here than in Red Bluff because of the surrounding automobile, truck, suburban, and PDX airport jet sounds.  Vancouver is the largest suburb north of Portland.  A busy and noisy area!

Orchards Community Park

I enjoy walking at Orchards Community Park in Northeast Vancouver, Washington.

Walking

Hudson's Bar and Grill, Vancouver

Karen and I enjoyed breakfast at the Hudson's Bar and Grill restaurant in the Heathman Lodge near the Vancouver Mall this morning.  A very enjoyable meal, excellent atmosphere, and good service.  Afterwards, we walked indoors for 40 minutes at the Vancouver Mall.  

Totem Pole at the Heathman Lodge

Cherry tree in bloom

Orchard's Park, Vancouver

I frequently walk at the nearby Orchards Community Park in unincorporated Northeast Vancouver.  Two laps on the walking path in a forested park area takes me about 45 minutes to walk at my moderate pace. 

Today, Karen and I walked for 40 minutes in Orchards Park.