Fitness Friday: Walking Paths

It's Friday, and the weather in my neck of the woods has been incredibly unseasonably cooler than normal. So, that means it's perfect weather for walking.

There are some amazing walking paths near where I live. Some of them connect bike paths and other park paths, along some main thoroughfares. Others are more tucked away in park-like settings.

If your town has any paths like these, or even anything close, take advantage of them. Get out and walk, run, bicycle, or skip. It's a great way to take in some great scenery, take time to reflect or pray while walking, and just relax while working your body's muscles - Is that even possible?  Why, yes. yes, it is!

One path that I have always enjoyed is one at our local community college. For some reason, the idea of a fountain in the center focal part of a circular path is quite appealing. I guess it's refreshing when I catch some of the spray, but it's also very relaxing and allows me to make believe I am walking along a beach, by the ocean.

Unfortunately, I was struck with a summertime cold that has knocked the socks off of me, so I haven't been enjoying the outside walking.

Still, it's there to be enjoyed by those who can. That is, of course, until the heat and humidity return tonight and over the weekend. At which point, a pool sounds like the better choice.

Find more fitness motivation at the following bloggers that are hosting Fitness Friday:

The Healthy Moms.net
Chandra Sullivan at Spark Your Motivation
Danielle Nabozny at Lip Gloss and Yoga Pants
Lisa Belanger at Inspire Me Well
Maryann Mitchell at It's Not Food, It's Me
Angela Barnets at Fit Personified
Wendi Barker at Wendi's Book Corner
Lacey Baker at Love Lacey 365
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The Flexibility Of Homeschooling and a Walk Around the Lake

I think one of the things I enjoy most about homeschooling is the flexibility it allows.  For instance, today it is unseasonably warm where I live.  So, this means I can pack up the kids and head to the park.  We'll get in some PE if nothing else.  But, our trips to the park always include so much more.

For mommy - The park involves a walk around the large lake.  I need the exercise, and it prepares me for sittng at the playground while they play later.  But, these walks provide so much more than exercise.

While we walk, we talk.  We talk about anyting that comes up.  In our talks we have uncovered topics that range from "Oh, look at that leaf" to "the beautiful sunset our God chose to paint the sky with" to "the art of animation programs, and how to turn a ripple on the lake, and blowing blades of grass into a picture on a computer screen that moves".

We have talked about philosophy, science, politics, cute things the children say, photography, math, engineering, technology, and the like.  You name it, it has probably come up in our walks around that lake.

Of course, we also talk about fairness, and how not to change the rules in a game of "I'll race you to that bench".

The flexibility to pick up and go is what got us there.  The flexibility to incorporate schooling into real life, and not the other way around, is where my children embrace learning that sticks.  From time to time, they will bring up our conversations, and have a full understanding of what we discussed.  Or, they might ask questions about something they didn't quite grasp at the time.

This is how my family learns best - Through the flexibility of homeschooling.