Since The Girl has been back home from school this summer I have driven my car exactly TWO times. The first time was to run errands and the second? I drove her home from a half marathon {she said she was too tired to drive}. 😉
Yes, The Girl has been using my car to get back and forth from her summer job but other than that, she too has elected to join me these past 6 weeks and pretty much walk everywhere else instead.
The Girl and I have even hopped on the bus 3 times. Imagine that. We’ve found tennis balls for Lucy, wild blackberries, wood for the firepit and $1.37 on the ground while on our walks, all without even trying.
We’ve done goofy stuff like getting our blood pressure checked at the pharmacy and walking to the grocery store for food {and samples from the bakery department of course}.
Yesterday we gathered up all our old glasses and donated them. Did you know you can turn in your old prescription glasses to Costco and they will donate them to someone in need? How cool is that?
On average, we are walking about 5 miles a day. Somedays, it’s more like 10-12. I don’t even know how it all started… but I’ll tell you one thing. Slowing down is RAD. And I’m loving it.
How about you? Have you done anything lately to slow down?
I’d love to hear about it.
~Mavis
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Kristina Z says
I love this so much. I live miles from anything, so if I walk, it’s usually to take in the view (which has its own pleasures). Actually, how many miles to the grocery store for you, Mavis? Maybe I’m just being a lazy bones, complaining of the distance. Right now, my sneakers would have to come with air conditioning, though. Supposed to be 110 degrees here in central CA today.
Mavis Butterfield says
2-6 miles depending on what store so totally manageable. 🙂
Sarah in Portland says
I’d also like to know how far you walk to the grocery store, etc. We live in a hillside neighborhood and all destinations are via 35 mph roads with narrow shoulders, no sidewalks. Maybe I’m being too paranoid. Do you have safe sidewalks everywhere?
Julie c says
It’s similar here. I work 1.25 miles from home and while I do walk it sometimes, I’m always very nervous. The speed limit is only 35 mph, but it’s a main road so the traffic is constant. There’s a sidewalk on only one side and the other side is not easy to walk on (sloped ground, ditches, large rocks, etc). There’s no buffer between the sidewalk and the road either. Plus, there are a bunch of side roads, driveways, and parking lot entrances. I keep walking, hoping I get more comfortable.
Cenith says
I love to walk too. But most especially when my adult daughter comes to visit. We don’t live within walking distance of any stores, but we will get out and just walk for hours. Amazing the things we have found to talk about and thoughts we’ve shared.
Erin says
Love walking as well, but with 98 degree weather and high humidity, it’s been miserable outside! I envy those of you in more temperate zones. As soon as the temp goes down again, I’ll be out a lot more.
Patty P says
I’m not sure if it was on your blog or somewhere else that I saw the book “Grandma Gatewood’s Walk” about how Emma Gatewood hiked the Appalachian Trail by herself. I’m just about finished with the book and I have loved reading it. Your hiking reminds me of what a good chunk of the book is talking about: people who take advantage of modern transportation when the really don’t need to. If you haven’t read it, I recommend it! It’s by Ben Montgomery based on her journals and her family accounts.
Lauren says
I love you to bits and pieces…but..85 degrees and you think that is hot! I live in Texas..99-102 is the norm for summer. I would love 85 degrees!!
Basically I do everything early from 6 am to 11 am. Then inside til late afternoon when I swim laps.
I love the fall, winter and spring here though. Give and take.
Rose says
Thank you for the tip about donating prescription glasses to Costco!
Mavis Butterfield says
You bet! I’m just glad someone else can use them.