Nature Connection: Walking Through The Seasons

There are many reasons to get outside and walk every day. Walking is good for our overall health and being out in nature is also good for our health, so it is an easy win-win, no matter when we do it.

I’m an early morning walker, but honestly I’ll walk at any time of day. I prefer to walk by myself if I’m looking for birds or sightings of other creatures, but I’m happy enough to share, especially with other nature lovers.

One of the things I love about walking is its inherent slowness. Cars and bikes get us somewhere quicker, perhaps, but sometimes time is not the point. Sometimes we just want or need to slow down and really absorb and enjoy our surroundings.

Some prefer to walk barefoot, which is a wonderful way to connect directly with the earth. I was a barefoot walker for years. I still walk barefoot in the warmer weather, but winter comes earlier and earlier for my feet as I get older, so a good pair of walking shoes is a good choice in the colder months.

If you are just starting out walking in nature you might want to choose some easy paths. Every town on the Cape has a page on their website with information about paths and trails available to the public. Most of these are well maintained and often are rated as to the difficulty one may have walking them. Perhaps in the beginning one should choose a flat, easy trail that is about a mile in length. 

I get asked all the time about walking alone in the woods, and to be honest, I’ve walked in the woods all over the Cape by myself for as long as I can remember and only once did I feel a bit uncomfortable. I knew someone was following me. I could hear them rustling, but when I turned around, no one was there. The noise got louder and louder, and I finally was creeped out and stopped to see what was going on. Absolutely no one was on the trail behind me, but next to me two turkeys appeared. We stood staring at each other before they hustled off, gobbling away, and I laughed out loud. That’s it, the story of my dangerous encounter in the woods.

I’ve seen coyotes that slink into the brush as soon as they see me, deer as they came toward me on the same path, foxes and raccoons that disappear as quickly and quietly as they appeared, and many other small creatures including snakes, turtles, frogs, rabbits, mice, shrews and weasels. I often pass other people, many with dogs, none of whom have been threatening.

I’m not going to say everyone should walk alone. We all have our comfort levels. And to be really honest, there are a few places known to be frequented by those that may be more interested in, ahem, other activities than nature watching, and I either take my husband or other friends along or avoid the area altogether. Be smart and alert, and during hunting seasons, which last for months in the fall and winter; wear bright orange or red. Again, I stay away from areas I know are hunting hotspots early in the morning or late in the day.

There’s a joke online about walking with a naturalist. While others may walk a mile in a matter of minutes, a naturalist could easily take twice or three times that much time because they stop to look and listen every few steps. Sometimes we just stand there like statues and wait to see what unfolds around us. If you’re looking for a brisk hike, probably choose a different sort of walking partner.

We are very fortunate here on the Cape that we have so many trails and conservation areas to enjoy. You could probably pick a different town each month and spend weeks exploring all the trails available. Most towns have printable maps which I recommend, especially since some areas have very poor cell reception out in the woods or on the outer beaches.

Late fall and early winter are exceptional times to go out walking. It’s not too cold, there’s no ice on the trails, the wind on the beaches is still manageable to bear, and there’s still plenty to see and enjoy.

All our natural habitats are stripped down to basics as winter teases us. The leaves have mostly fallen, the beaches are open and quiet, the marshes are wide open and so are the fields. It’s a great time to become acquainted with our winter wildlife, both the natives and the migrants from up north. 

It’s a great time to notice where certain birds nested, where the squirrels have stashed their pinecones and acorns, where the foxes and deer have made subtle and not so subtle paths through the area. It’s easy to find and follow tracks as fewer humans have covered them up, and it’s fun to follow a few to see where they lead.

If you’re near a pond, look for signs of otters. Sometimes you’ll find a slide, but it may be easier to find their telltale scat, which is usually a little shiny with the remains of fish scales. 

Although poison ivy is not obvious at this time of year, it can still give you a rash, so don’t pick those little white berries for a winter arrangement and be careful of the twigs and vines you touch. Ticks are also out and about all year. They are not as active when the weather stays below freezing but they wake right up on warmer days all winter long.

Be prepared, be smart, but get outside. It’s a natural antidepressant, and with all the political hubbub going on, we can all use a reason to smile.