Right now I’m reading a book called The Lost Art of Walking: The History, Science, and Literature of Pedestrianism by Geoff Nicholson. Most people on Amazon apparently don’t like it very much, saying it meanders too much, and doesn’t seem to really have a point. Since this is pretty much the exact style of walking I most enjoy, I’m totally okay with that. Granted, I haven’t finished yet, so I’ll keep you posted. Maybe the difference is that the Amazon reviewers are all very serious walkers, and I am definitely a total amateur. I’d like to become better, eventually, but right now I’m stuck in the “pleasant 20 minutes to an hour ramble” stage. I think there have been a few times when I’ve walked with a picnic lunch in tow, and certainly many times a bottle of water. But I’ve never gone on walks so long that I would need things like equipment or supplies. No tents or rations or all weather gear. I’m not really into camping, so I don’t think I could ever be a serious hiker. Just day hikes for me, please. And even then, nothing to strenuous.
In fact, my favorite place to walk close to my apartment is probably the lamest ever compared to “real” walks taken by serious walkers. It’s a park conveniently located near Food Lion and the Post Office. It’s quite a large park, by Chapel Hill/Carrboro standards featuring a dog park, playground equipment, tennis courts, baseball fields, basketball courts, a frisbee golf course, and a 1.5 mile path around a largish pond where there are always at least some ducks. And sometimes a small child beating the water with a stick.
Moments before the assault
This is the walk I most often wake up early to do, because it’s close by and mostly covered by trees. The trail’s shortness might deter others, but I like it because I can try to beat my record of how many laps I’ve made. Plus, the benches are pretty regularly spaced, acting as great starting and stopping points for my silly attempts at running. “Okay, just run past five benches!” I will promise myself. The gravel of the path is almost Carolina blue in some lights.
And makes a satisfying crunching noise
The pond is also nice to look at as you make your way around. There are always ducks hanging out there; at certain times of year, adorable baby ducks!
Sometimes there's a fountain going too!
The best part for me is probably that there are usually at least two people walking their dogs around the pond, sometimes more. There aren’t very many dog parks around here, where dogs can roam free in a fenced in area without a leash, so Anderson Park is pretty popular among dog owners. And the start of the trail is just across from the dog park! I love watching dogs. Sometimes I look at them, look at their owners, and try to guess their names. Some owners just look like the kind of people to choose “Sir Cutemus de Fluffington”.
Yesterday there were also these mysterious tracks in the gravel:
Two snakes dancing?
My first guess was two bikes repeatedly crashing into each other, but there are signs forbidding bikes all along the trail. We may never know.
Someday I hope to own two Frisbees and try the disc golf course! I know I will be phenomenally bad at it, but it will be a good walk.
This hole alone would probably take me like three hours
So Beautiful Trish! Loved all the pics.