How to Walk Creatively

Say you have to get from Point A to Point B and the distance is only a mile or two in an urban or suburban setting, and you have a little time on your hands. Say you don't want to burn gasoline, spend money on parking or public transit, or contribute to global warming. Maybe you could use more cardiovascular exercise (most of us could). Why not walk? And while you're walking, why not make it interesting?

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Think about where you are now (Point A) and where you want to end up (Point B). If you're not entirely familiar with where Point B is, look at a map before starting out.

2. Set up a zigzag pattern that will keep you off the boulevards and bus routes. And make sure the zigzag gets you where you want to go. For instance, if you need to go 10 blocks south and 5 blocks west, head south 2 blocks at a time, first on the east side of the street, then on the west side. It's a simple math game to bring you along streets where you might not usually walk.

3. Once you're walking, change your plan as necessary or for fun. City blocks might be of irregular size. Streets might curve or dead-end. Maybe you want to follow a watercourse through town and see what the bridges are like. Maybe something on a side street catches your eye. You're on a dual mission: to get where you're going, and to explore the world between here and there.

4. When your business at Point B is done, repeat Steps 1-4 whether you're proceeding to Point C or returning to Point A. If returning, choose a different zigzag.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have to be somewhere in particular, you can always walk for fun and exploration. That's even more liberating than a purposeful zigzag, and you can't beat the exercise.
• Personal music players are optional. You can stride along wrapped in your own private soundtrack, but you can also pop out the headphones and listen to the world through which you're walking.
• Know enough about your town to avoid unsafe areas.