I took a brisk walk for an hour, mainly to break in a new pair of hiking boots I’d be in the mountains. They were a little stiff, and I’d probably cinched the left one too tight on the ankle.

But the walk itself brought its usual rewards, not the least of which was the exhilaration that comes with boosting the pulse from 68 to 96 beats per minute, within the 50 to 85 per cent of maximum heart rate for my age recommended by the American Heart Association. Of course, most of us are aware that we’ll live longer and healthier if we exercise and walking is one of the best forms of exercise. And, I’m sure it’s true that your brain even works better after exercise.

Along the walk – down 7^th Avenue S. around Henderson Lake’s inner trail and back, about 4 km  – 38 others were doing the same thing. Five were jogging, one was inline skating, two were pushing baby carts and three walked their dogs.

Walkers generally say “hi” to other walkers, although some seem to enjoy the solitude walking can bring. Must be an unspoken convention that if you make eye contact, a “hi” will follow.

You notice things walking, like the texture of Elm bark as distinguished from a large cottonwood, crayfish in a gull’s beak or a Common flicker pecking for ants and the fresh scent of near-fall air carried on a 50-click wind. Oh, and the sun warming your face.

A walk in the park is particularly enjoyable. Henderson Lake Park, as an example, is a constant draw for walkers and others who appreciate all it has to offer. Like the honking geese ruckus at the island, the cormorant coming up from a dive to swallow its catch and the pair of teals, admired by the smiling 80s-something couple, he with a cane in one hand, his partner’s hand in the other.

I’m convinced walking anywhere outside – on a sidewalk, in a park, on a trail, beside a river – is an integral part of our well-being. Parents intuitively know the outdoors is good for kids and walking with them is even better. I can’t recall hearing an unhappy baby being pushed in a cart by its mother or father.

Walking gives you a needed break from a hectic life. Even jogging or quick walking slows you down from a rapid routine. You can even slow down, if not stop, to smell the roses if you take a slight detour off Parkside Drive into the Henderson Park Rose Garden.

Some 93 per cent of Lethbridge households have reported a member walking for pleasure. They have lots of places to walk: the city boasts a 30 km Coal Banks trail system the links the west, south a north sides through the river valley and north toward Pavan Park. As well, you could take 93,183 steps on eight biking/pedestrian trails totalling more than 56 km.

Next week: from a walk to a demanding wilderness hike.