Two Minutes Du Jour

Along the Mississippi River. Around the neighborhood pond. Up to the high school and back. Down the path toward the dam. I am blessed to have many options for beautiful walks, all close to home and many more within a short drive. Chances are, you do, too.

Wander, Wonder, Walk

Wandering, wondering, and walking are intertwined yet distinct experiences that connect us with the world and ourselves.

Wandering is unstructured, often leading to unexpected discoveries and moments of serendipity. It’s about letting go of plans and allowing the path to unfold naturally.

Wondering, on the other hand, is a mental exploration, a quest for answers and insights, where curiosity drives our thoughts to new heights.

Walking often connects wandering and wondering by offering a physical rhythm that calms the mind and opens the heart. As we walk, we naturally slip into a state of wonder, contemplating the sights, sounds, and sensations around us.

Simultaneously, we may find ourselves physically and mentally wandering as we explore new routes and ideas.

Destination Walks – Read All About Them

With rain storms looming and steamy temperatures predicted, I’m not sure when or where I’ll walk this weekend, so I may be reading about walking.

One of the American classics is Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods. The movie is a poor rendition, so read the book. I read this about 25 years ago before I became a hiker. Bryson is a writer who inspires and imparts wisdom through his wandering and wondering.

I just picked up Walking with Sam from the library. It is Andrew McCarthy’s book about a nearly 500-mile walk on the Camino de Santiago in Spain with his 19-year-old son.

I’m also fascinated by a 159km walk featured by the BBC from the French Riviera to the Italian hills, the Pagarine Route, following an ancient salt trading trail. I’m excited to explore these destination walks and perhaps one day discover them for myself.

Happy trails this weekend.

Two Links Du Jour:

Walking with Sam by Andrew McCarthy – Camino de Santiago (Spain)

A Chance to Hike Europe’s Ancient Salt Route – BBC (France and Italy)