roundcorners_IHB
New member
This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart; so don?t nobody call me a sissy for walking (graph)! I wrote about walking before, but I wanted to dedicate a separate thread. Walking is a simple and inexpensive way to get around the neighborhood. It?s something my wife and I love to do after dinner when it was just the two of us (remember we don?t have TV). Now with the baby, I?m taking a morning and a nightly walk holding the baby. He loves looking at all the trees and flowers. Walking for us is not just a habit, it?s not just for leisure, or exercise, it is a routine; but more like a way of life.
Yes, we all know the health benefits of exercise. We pass by the die-hards at the gym everyday. We also all know the people who sign up and pre-pay three years at LA Fitness and never show up. My philosophy for staying healthy is to simply do little things everyday. Things that are not hard, not too strenuous and not to difficult make good habits; and walking is a great example. My walks vary from distance to duration; depending on our schedules, I can walk up to three-four hours on a Saturday; sometimes a fifteen minute walk is all I need to get the heart pumping.
Taking a walk can not only be great physically but mentally and emotionally stimulating. Walking has been a catalyst for some great conversations between the wife and I. Husbands all know what I?m talking about, when the wife asks you, so, how was you day? We typically don?t really know how to answer. Um, good? Somehow, while walking, conversations just simply bubble up to the surface. There is something about enjoying the environment together, looking and seeing different objects that spark communication. The pressure to come up with something clever or witty to say disappears; and all of a sudden the both of us are sharing from the heart. We worked out tough problems while walking; we also made lots of important decisions. My wife is a verbal processor; and just listening to her rant helps her to come to natural conclusions. Walking is a great symbolism for walking through life together side-by-side. Your partner is not ahead or behind you; they are right next to you every step of the way. You face challenges head-on together and both are willing and ready to tackle the next step.
It is no wonder that great diplomats during epic moments in world history took walks together. From Churchill & Roosevelt, Larres & Kissinger during the Cold War to Eisenhower & Laniel thereafter; it was those strolls that common ground and understanding was reached.
Recently just this summer, we?ve been meeting a number of neighbors while walking. We?ve meet some of the friendliest and most pleasant people around Woodbury, entire families, parents of infants and out of town visitors were just some of them. We?ve also gotten to know other families in our IAC that we can really connect with.
On a side note, walking is a great way to keep track of neighborhood that you want to buy. There are often many properties that just don?t show up on redfin or the MLS. These maybe old listings or just FSBOs; you can really tell which houses are vacant and often who is moving in or out. My personal favorite motto is MBWA; (management by walking around) it simply means get off your butt and go see what is going on personally!
In thinking of our future home, a pedestrian friendly neighborhood is vital. The unspoken often overlooked characteristic of a particular Irvine neighborhood is its walk-ability. For the most part Irvine is known for it many hidden walking trails, quiet streets and convenient walk-able retail centers. May I suggest, that the next open house you go to, see if you can walk a mile or two around the property. I?m sure you will discover some hidden treasures along the way.
Yes, we all know the health benefits of exercise. We pass by the die-hards at the gym everyday. We also all know the people who sign up and pre-pay three years at LA Fitness and never show up. My philosophy for staying healthy is to simply do little things everyday. Things that are not hard, not too strenuous and not to difficult make good habits; and walking is a great example. My walks vary from distance to duration; depending on our schedules, I can walk up to three-four hours on a Saturday; sometimes a fifteen minute walk is all I need to get the heart pumping.
Taking a walk can not only be great physically but mentally and emotionally stimulating. Walking has been a catalyst for some great conversations between the wife and I. Husbands all know what I?m talking about, when the wife asks you, so, how was you day? We typically don?t really know how to answer. Um, good? Somehow, while walking, conversations just simply bubble up to the surface. There is something about enjoying the environment together, looking and seeing different objects that spark communication. The pressure to come up with something clever or witty to say disappears; and all of a sudden the both of us are sharing from the heart. We worked out tough problems while walking; we also made lots of important decisions. My wife is a verbal processor; and just listening to her rant helps her to come to natural conclusions. Walking is a great symbolism for walking through life together side-by-side. Your partner is not ahead or behind you; they are right next to you every step of the way. You face challenges head-on together and both are willing and ready to tackle the next step.
It is no wonder that great diplomats during epic moments in world history took walks together. From Churchill & Roosevelt, Larres & Kissinger during the Cold War to Eisenhower & Laniel thereafter; it was those strolls that common ground and understanding was reached.
Recently just this summer, we?ve been meeting a number of neighbors while walking. We?ve meet some of the friendliest and most pleasant people around Woodbury, entire families, parents of infants and out of town visitors were just some of them. We?ve also gotten to know other families in our IAC that we can really connect with.
On a side note, walking is a great way to keep track of neighborhood that you want to buy. There are often many properties that just don?t show up on redfin or the MLS. These maybe old listings or just FSBOs; you can really tell which houses are vacant and often who is moving in or out. My personal favorite motto is MBWA; (management by walking around) it simply means get off your butt and go see what is going on personally!
In thinking of our future home, a pedestrian friendly neighborhood is vital. The unspoken often overlooked characteristic of a particular Irvine neighborhood is its walk-ability. For the most part Irvine is known for it many hidden walking trails, quiet streets and convenient walk-able retail centers. May I suggest, that the next open house you go to, see if you can walk a mile or two around the property. I?m sure you will discover some hidden treasures along the way.
