Blog
I love to walk! I will share with you some of my favourite walkabouts in this blog. Be sure to follow me on Instagram or Facebook for all things walking and hiking in Calgary and the Rockies!
I love to walk! I will share with you some of my favourite walkabouts in this blog. Be sure to follow me on Instagram or Facebook for all things walking and hiking in Calgary and the Rockies!
There are so many great walkabouts for dogs in Calgary. I shared a few today on CTV Morning Live. A mix of on and off leash, views and saskatoon berry grazing made these walks pretty awesome for pup and her people.
All of the walks, with off-leash areas marked, are in my book Calgary’s Best Walks. Grab a copy from me or at bookstores, Steeling Home, or at Mountain Equipment Co-op. Happy pup walking!
I chatted with the CBC eyeopener yesterday to give Calgarians some ideas for where to walk during our social distancing. I walk everywhere, all the time, so this walking lifestyle is my normal. Here’s some of my thoughts on where to take a walk!
CBC Interview: Where to walk in the city during social distancing
It’s a great day for a walk! Let’s get out there and soak up the sunshine. Check out my main website www.fitfrog.ca for more blog posts!
SMILE AND SAY HELLO, PAT A PUP!
Walking helps the immune system, it keeps it strong. We need this right now, a strong immune response. We also need to interact with people and our communities for our mental health. Even when walking alone, you open yourself up to a random interaction, a BIG WAVE, SMILE AND HELLO! with a passer-by. Be sure to look up and share a smile as our connections to people is what gets us through tough times; our neighbours, our fellow citizens. You don’t have to hug or get close, just a wave across the streets, a smile and a friendly hello can make a HUGE difference to someone who is struggling. It will also help you, the giver of the friendly gesture. This is why I love walking in the city; all those random interactions.
SOCIAL DISTANCING WHILE WALKING
I suggest heading into the neighbourhoods and exploring side streets that twist and turn when the parks are busy. If walking with friends, I walk on the QUIET sidestreet while my friend walks on the sidewalk. Or on the pathway, we YELL NOT WHISPER, while staggering out strides. On single-track nature trails in the city of mountains, we space ourselves out and focus in the world around us. Chickadees are happy and chirping, the prairie crocus will be popping up on sunny slopes any day now, trees will be leafing out soon, beavers in the Weaslehead doing their work.Yelling works well for me as I do not even have a whisper option. 🙂
BRING YOUR PUP!
Here’s a favourite route of mine with my DOG. Start anywhere on the map and explore the inner city SW neighbourhoods of Parkhill, Rideau, Roxboro, Elbow Park, and Riverdale. A mix of sidestreets and river pathways; off-leash parks, swimming spots for pup (mine took a dip yesterday!) and mountain views, this walk will lift your spirits and keep you upbeat and strong! Watch for me, I am there almost everyday. Be sure to wave and say HI!
Follow me on Instagram for walking inspiration!
Hi Calgary! I am going to be suggesting walks during the Covid-19 health crisis so keep checking back here for ideas.
Walking is the one same thing we can do during this health emergency. Calgary is a city of big open spaces, parks, river trails, and wonderful neighbourhoods. There are many places to walk that let you keep a 2-metre distance from others while still being social. We need to look after our health during the pandemic and taking a walk in the fresh air and sunshine, with a friend or colleague or on your own, will calm the mind, lift the spirits and keep you strong.
My book, Calgary’s Best Walks (need a copy?)
You can find many ideas in my book, Calgary’s Best Walks. You can order a book from me directly by Etransfer ($25) and pick up books from me or have the book delivered to you for an extra $10. You can also order via Paypal or drop a cheque or cash in my mailbox when you pick up.
Join me for a walk- all walks FREE or pay-what-you-want
Check out the calendar of walks and if you are healthy (and not in self-isolation due to travel or in quarantine), come on out! We will maintain a 2-meter distance from each other while walking, and still enjoy some social time, exercise and an abundance of fresh air!
Walks for dogs and their people! I picked a few favourite routes that get you and your dog out and about, exploring the city and moving through off-leash parks as you go. All of the routes I suggest are in my book, Calgary’s Best Walks.
—————————————————————————————————————-
And here is a handy link to all of Calgary’s Off-Leash parks so you can design your own walks!
I dropped by CTV Calgary with some footage of excellent Halloween walks! There’s always a reason to take an urban hike. Check out the segment here!
I dropped into Breakfast TV on May 18, 2018 to feature four excellent urban walkabouts for May and June. From wilderness treks at the Weaslehead and Glenbow Ranch, to quirky strolls through Sunnyside and Roxboro to Ramsay. These are all in my book, Calgary’s Best Walks! Get your copy from me or at your favourite bookstore or from MEC.
Sunnyside, Calgary is fast becoming an outdoor art gallery! When you head out on the Riley Park, Kensington route in my book, Calgary’s Best Walks, be sure to bring this map along too. You can deviate from the route to see all the wonderful, colourful public art in Sunnyside! If you would like a copy of my book, visit your favourite bookstore or purchase from me here!
Thanks to Christie of Sunnyside for taking me on a guided art walkabout today and for letting me build on her Google art map.