Walking by the Wissahickon
I have decided to intensify my training. Since January, I have been diligently walking and running on my treadmill almost every day, strengthening my heart rate, leg muscles and stamina. In late June, I will be joining my older sister and her friends for a 7 day walk along Hadrian’s Wall. These last four or five days I decided to hike the trails of the Wissahickon, upping my work-out a notch and getting a feel for the real thing. Each morning I set out down the hill behind our home and within two thirds of a mile I am right there. For the Creek is almost in my own back yard.
I have not taken advantage of the glorious trails as they wind above and beside the little river, or even as they steer up and out in opposite directions all throughout the enormous Fairmount Park. I suppose I was in mourning for my old Delaware Park in Buffalo where I walked every day for years. I just could not muster up enthusiasm to walk the trails of the Wissahickon. Each time I would try it felt so lonely, even dark, and I would return home wistful and blue. It has taken two and a half years for me to start to feel comfortable.
As I walk first along a trail high above the creek and then down alongside the water, these past four days, I find myself embracing the landscape and beginning to own my new surroundings. Sunlight streams through the freshly new, green, leaves and birds herald and serenade me as I briskly charge along. Other people walking their dogs, running, jogging, cycling along greet me with warm smiles and friendly eyes. I cannot imagine how I could have felt lonely here before.
At the end of the trails and returning to my home, I walk up an intensely steep incline for about two thirds of a mile. As I feel my calf muscles strengthening, I become excited. For I am sure we will be walking up some nifty little hills in England come June and I do not want to be left behind puffing and panting while the others stride ahead. This afternoon I was looking at my day pack and thinking that next time I go for my walk I shall take it along. I will pack some water and a few items like those that I might need along the 15 miles or so when we hike in England, and test out how my back enjoys it.
It has been fun walking along by myself getting to know the area and teaching my feet to find the way so that I can look up at the trees, birds, the sky, and feel sunshine on my face. Sometimes I have felt a little afraid, just because it is unknown, and at the end of the walk I am aching in places I did not know muscles exist. But the fresh air and warm sun seep into my body and brain and, back in my room, as I settle into yoga postures and deep, long stretches, I feel a settled kind of peace that I have not experienced very often since coming to Philadelphia.
A year ago at Tamarika: Making Lists
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