WALKING

I have always loved walking – it remains the only passion (of many that didn’t last) that I have had my entire life. It is part of hiking, and my spiritual side is found in nature. Spending time in the mountains of the Canadian Rockies, the interior of BC, and on Vancouver Island, where I now live, has been a passion since my university days.

I have made 39 trips to the desert Southwest of the USA, always hiking everywhere to explore what may be one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Walking and trekking have always been a large part of my travel. I’ve walked over 2000 km of the Camino de Santiago, including a continuous 1750 km walk from Le Puy en Valey, France to Santiago, which took 64 days. Other treks include: A 28-day trek in Nepal, the Santa Cruz Trek and the Inca Trail in Peru, Roraima in Venezuela, all nine Great Walks in New Zealand, and the Laugavegur Trek in Iceland.

I have Asperger’s syndrome, and all great thinkers walked – most also had  Asperger’s syndrome. There must be a connection.

Since starting travel in 2006, I have worn flip-flops almost 99% of the time (I only wear shoes when doing rough hiking), and often walk over 20 km per day. That is the way I have explored most of the cities I’ve visited. This is only possible with special flip-flops, and I exclusively wear Chacos. I can’t help but think that they have made my feet very strong, like the Tarahumara of the Copper Canyon of northern Mexico. Read the excellent book on running, “Born to Run,“ to see another discussion of the evils of modern footwear, clearly a conspiracy by running shoe manufacturers to sell shoes that may do more harm than good.

WHY HIKING IS BENEFICIAL
THE HUMAN FOOT & SHOES
WALKING BAREFOOT 
WHY WALKING HELPS US THINK
A 10-MINUTE THINKING WALK 
WALKING AND CREATIVE WRITING
GAIT DIFFERENCES & WHAT THEY MEAN
WOMEN & WALKING 
MYOKINES
WALKING BACKWARDS