by Billy Lambert, FoGC President
When I was a child, my father took me to many Volksmarch Walking Events. Every weekend we joined our walking group and walked a marked path directing participants through parks, historic sites, old court houses towns in and around San Antonio and central Texas. It was a great way to meet people and explore places.
About 20 minutes into each walk, I would begin asking my dad questions about the scenery, the water, and the people we met. His answers just lead us further down the path to the next interesting site and to my next question. It was his way of letting me explore and think about the things we saw and experienced together.
This spring I have found my self walking more. Walking is a nice a respite from work any daily challenges, and I have found that time walking with my wife and daughter has brought us closer together and put us in the same rhythm. Most importantly it forces the three of us to focus on what is in front us. This pulls us out of own thoughts and helps me keep focus.
This year has been hard for many people; many have shouldered tremendous burdens and suffered tremendous losses. Many people have found things out of their control and solutions overwhelming. Walking gives ourselves a break from these burdens and allows us to share a space with someone. Walking helps us to keep our personal lives together.
If you want to join us for a walk at Government Canyon State Natural Area (GCSNA), the Rangers and volunteers are still working and welcoming visitors albeit with limited capacity. The Texas State Parks website lists the hours and instructions for reservations. If you can not make it to the Canyon, check out the virtual tours the Canyon staff have been putting together including a tour of the Dino tracks and the Wildlife Wednesday videos for kids. In addition to the Canyon, San Antonio has many green spaces and trails winding through many neighborhoods where you will find that people are returning to their porches and sending their distanced hellos.
With time, things will be better, but this is not to say our lives will be less hectic. Our world is ever changing, I know many of you already understand the benefits of walking, and maybe you share the same privilege I received at a young age while walking with my family. I do encourage you to actively seek out people who have never been to Government Canyon or any of the local parks or trails and invite them for walks. Share a moment together. Share the same rhythm. Take the time to get to know someone, even at six feet apart.
Explore together.
