Bigbury on the Sea approach BW Walking the South West Coast Path involves the eyes. In paying attention to the world around me, I notice the shapes, structures, and vistas of tangible objects. Along with color, these are indispensable elements to physical entities in this world of ours. The following photos come from our natural …
292. Bumps, Bruises, and Blood
Almost everybody will share in bumps, bruises, and even blood when they walk. I question some folks decision to walk parts of the South West Coast Path. Yesterday, hiking up the Gold Cap, at 627 feet the highest point on the southern part of the SWCP, I see an overweight elderly woman, walking with a …
291. Benches
My ultimate destination is Poole, the end of the 630-mile South West Coast Path. My penultimate destinations vary from night to night; however, as you know, I never aim for a campsite, I always aim for a BnB or a hotel. My night's lodging is not my only "destination" though. During the day, my penultimate, …
290. Kindness Gone Awry
Another sunny day to walk. Temperatures in the high 50’s or lower 60’s. A perfect day. My day begins as I chat with an older English couple taking their morning walk. He is from Wales; she is from London. After working in Houston for years. “You must be in oil” I reply. “What else?” “We …
289. I’ve Never Had Pork Cheek
I’m the first one to the hotel restaurant at 6PM. I’ve had another one of those days of walking 10+ miles and an elevation ascent of 2500 feet. Since I always start at sea level, and end at sea level, an elevation ascent of that distance means a descent of that distance. My thighs and …
288. When the Path Isn’t a Path
River Dart Since I'm walking, I'm not paddling or canoeing. I'm not paddling down the Flint River here in Georgia; I'm not canoeing down the Mississippi. Yet, I have my encounters with water. While I haven’t had to bushwhack, I have to figure out how to cross rivers and estuaries. Probably one every two or …
287. Street Art
Plymouth I’ve seen street art in two places, Plymouth and Exmouth. While there is probably street art in other towns, I’ve missed it. A popular area of Plymouth is the Barbican. The Plymouth Museum for the Mayflower is in the Barbican. So are dozens of pubs, one with a large painting of a pirate. Fitting. …
286. A Walker and a Couple Share Memories
Anthony and Linda Frost I am worn down. My muscles ache from walking 10-13 miles with ascents and descents of over 2500 feet; the bottoms of my feet are bruised from walking on too many pointed edged rocks. Time for a break. Since I’m not a purist when it comes to long-distance walking, I take …
285. Terror, Panic, and Despair
Those words aren’t about my experience; but about others’ experiences near the South West Coast Path. More particularly, individuals experience those feelings on October 27, 1916, January 26, 1917, and April 28, 1944. On October 27, 1916, a schooner runs into problems in the face of gale 9 winds (50 mph) off Prawle Point, the …
284. Walking as a 73-year, Single Older Male
I've always enjoyed hiking and walking. In Springfield, I kept up with my mother as dad usually sauntered with the distance between us growing greater and greater. During my college and graduate school years, I loved working at Zion National Park. So many trails to enjoy! Even at 73, I enjoy walking, most of the …
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Journeys: Explorations in Body, Mind, and Spirit 