Every morning, I lace up my shoes, step outside, and take a walk. It’s a simple act, but for me, it’s become a ritual, one that keeps me grounded, grateful, and connected to the world around me. Walking wasn’t always so meaningful to me. It started as something entirely different: a way to explore, escape, and have adventures as a kid.
Over the years, walking has evolved into so much more. It’s been my “go to” through childhood explorations, young adult adventures, and now, my daily practice of mindfulness and connection. Walking isn’t just about getting from one place to another—it’s a lifelong adventure.
Childhood Memories of Walking Adventures
As a kid, being active came naturally. I didn’t have much of a choice—my mom didn’t drive for years, so walking, biking, and taking the bus were how we got anywhere. I loved the freedom it gave me. My earliest walking memories are from Queen Anne Hill, where I grew up. My friends and I would wander to places like Roger’s Park or even to the Seattle Center back in 1962.
We had so much freedom back then. I’d tell my mom I was heading to the library and more often than not, I was off to find friends (boys) or explore. As long as I stayed out of trouble and made it home before she worried, no one asked too many questions. Those walks were pure adventure, an open invitation to explore the world around me.
In the summer, a group of neighborhood kids and I would take the bus to West Seattle and walk through Lincoln Park to our swimming lessons at the saltwater pool. I still laugh thinking about how I passed my swimming test, (I held my breath and pretended to breathe while doing the crawl stroke). Let’s just say I never mastered that one. It wasn’t about the lessons, really, though they mattered (we spent summer vacations swimming in salt water). It was about the independence we had on that journey, the adventure, and the friendships we built along the way.
Adventures of Young Adulthood
As a teenager and young adult, walking became an escape and a way to connect with friends. My friend Kathy and I would walk from Holy Names Academy to the Seattle Center. This was a mischievous adventure that was normally a bus ride away. Spring fever would hit and we’d set out on foot, soaking up the sunshine and chatting the whole way.
Walking back then was about freedom. It wasn’t just a way to get somewhere. For me it was about spontaneity, laughter, and savoring the moment.
Challenges Along the Way
Of course, not every season of life has made walking easy. When I lived in Spokane, I faced a winter that dumped six feet of snow in six days. Walking outside felt impossible. The plows pushed snow into towering berms on the sides of the roads, making even stepping outside an adventure. One elderly neighbor tragically passed away after his car was hit as he tried to navigate the snowy streets. Another friend’s mom fell into a deep snowdrift on her way to the mailbox and had to holler for help to get out.
I didn’t fare much better. Even with cleats strapped to my shoes, I wasn’t brave enough to tackle the icy roads. And when the snow finally melted, cars sped by so recklessly that walking along the ditch-lined roads felt far too dangerous. Those months reminded me how much I missed my daily walks and how vital they had become to my sense of well-being.
Falling in Love with Walking Again
About ten years ago, I rediscovered my love for walking, thanks to a Fitbit step counter and a Noom subscription. Noom encouraged me to walk every day and aim for 10,000 steps which for me is a little over 4.5 miles. At first, I procrastinated. Some days, my excuses won out and I would not walk. Sowly, walking became a habit. And today? It’s a part of my daily life that I rarely miss.
Rain or shine, sleet or snow, I’m out there. I jokingly tell people I’m “walking my inner dog.” Just like dog owners need to get their pets outside, I need my time outdoors to feel like myself. I even bought a new raincoat with a big hood so I can walk without an umbrella. Now I need to get some rain pants as my knees and ankles get quite wet.
How Walking Restores Me Today
Walking has become my sanity, my self-care, and my connection to the beauty around me. Where I walk is stunning. Right outside my door, I’m greeted by birds splashing in the birdbath, squirrels darting around, and deer wandering through with their fawns. From there, my path winds through tall evergreens lining a semi-rural roadway that leads me to the water’s edge of Puget Sound in Southworth, Washington.
In the winter, high tides often wash seaweed and logs across the road, forcing me to take an alternative route. On calm days, I have the option to veer into the woods and trails of Harper Park or continue to Harper Pier, where I’m treated to breathtaking views of the water.
Each day, the critters I encounter vary. Geese, red-winged blackbirds, eagles, harbor seals, and even otters make appearances. I’ve watched a seal devour a fish as gulls swooped in for scraps. I’ve spotted porpoises in the distance and admired ospreys as they glide through the sky. King Fishers, announce their presence and object to me walking on their pier.
Every walk is different. Today, the air was in the 30s, and the water was warmer, creating a mist that reminded me of The Mists of Avalon. The frost sparkled on every surface, and the sun broke through, casting a golden glow. Tomorrow’s walk will bring something new, and I can’t wait to see what it is.
Why Walking Is a Lifelong Adventure
I usually walk alone, letting my thoughts wander in a meditative rhythm. Sometimes, I work through a problem or plan my day. Other times, I simply soak in the beauty around me. Whether it’s raindrops rippling in a puddle, the sound of waves hitting the shore, or the sun peeking through the trees, every step reminds me of the gift of being present.
Walking isn’t just exercise. It’s a way to notice, reflect, and reconnect—with myself, with nature, and with the world. Every day brings a new adventure, even if I’m following the same path.
I hope you’ll find your own walking adventures, wherever they may lead. Who knows what you’ll discover along the way?
I’d love to hear your walking adventures story.
This is a story I wrote for my kids in my Storyworth book. I have missed many weeks and it is my plan to catch up – one of these days. The goal is a story a week and I aim for an hour of “Writing together” on Thursday afternoon 4pm Pacific. Join me if you can!
