Wanderlust

Hello dear readers. As I type these words, I'm sitting outside my apartment in a cozy, dilapidated chair situated on our first-floor balcony. The sun is warm and the trees are alive again. There is a blue bird with white wings and a sharp beak fluttering about in the tree nearest to me. She meanders then dashes to and fro around her nest; she is a content and busy mother-to-be. Emma (my cat) paws at the screen door, begging for freedom to pursue an unknowing ant. Jane Austen once said, "To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment." I heartily agree.

Now readers, I have something to confess. Over 8 months ago, I checked out a book from my local public library. I still have it. Oops, right?  Well, not really. You see, I still keep going back to it (especially on days like this). The book, Wanderlust: A History of Walking, is about just that. In it the author, Rebecca Solnit, discusses walking (go figure) as it appears in nature, religion, philosophy, architecture, in the city, and among the landscape. She also profiles significant walkers in history including Wordsworth. Rousseau, Jane Austen (whom I purposefully quoted above), and Coleridge.

Solnit takes the time to examine one of the most basic of human functions and does so with great deference and skill. I found myself (and still find myself now) stopping and starting whole passages wondering, why have I never thought of this before? These "A-ha" moments kept coming too.

 I live in between 2 parks and alongside a city greenway. I find myself walking more these days, as an escape and a place of meditation. There's a beautiful lake surrounded by forest and frequently traversed by others like myself who enjoy the scenery, running and biking track, and (sometimes) the solitude. I feel more aware of why I seek this place aside from the exercise and peace of mind; I think I'm seeking a connection back to the earth and nature, something I believe I lose much too often. These walks are what I most look forward to most days and I think Solnit helped me to better realize why.

Wanderlust is a book written for walkers by a fellow walker. If you don't already harbor a keen awareness for the wonders of walking, you certainly shall after perusing this must-read. I still haven't finished it, and honestly I'm in no rush to; why should I be? This isn't the kind of book you want to finish, at least not at a speedy pace. Relish and cherish it, as you would any extended hike or stroll. Wanderlust is a book I shall keep as long as I can get away with, who knows this work could be the first in my library's reference collection under the section titled "How to Live" or "Basics for a Life Well-Lived".