Few people know how to take a walk. The qualifications are endurance, plain clothes, old shoes, an eye for nature, good humor vast curiosity, good speech, good silence and nothing too much.
A new walking aficionado, Xavier suggests that Ralph Waldo Emerson forgot two key elements for a perfect walk - namely, a stroller and a pacifier!
As part of our new sleep training strategy, stimulating the senses with a daily walk outdoors is recommended. Apparently, it's good to expose him to rustling leaves, birds, moving clouds, barking dogs, wind etc... all from within the safe, warm confines of his stroller or the Baby Bjorn.
My current walking routes of choice are the paved loop trail at Haddam Meadows State Park and the paved grounds of the Indian Hill Cemetery.
Haddam Meadows overlooks the Connecticut River. From part of the loop you can see a boat slip. Several times I have seen folks out fishing or canoeing.
At Indian Hill Cemetery, there is so much to take in while you are walking. For one, the trees are beautiful. Transitioning from lush greens in the summer to vibrant autumn hues - I feel like taking photos almost every time I'm there. I haven't felt inspired in this way since I left Japan, so that's nice. Noting the subtle changes in the landscape as time passes is very relaxing. I like knowing which trees are likely to have birds in them, where the wind picks up momentum on the hills and when/where to expect shadows that provide shade.
Secondly, tombs are fascinating. I love reading all the names and epitaphs. (The most intriguing name I have found so far is Youghaper Bodozian. I discovered that it is a popular Armenian name, but one I had never heard before.) Likewise, it is interesting finding out when people were born and how old they were when they died.
I discovered that several soldiers have been interred at Indian Hill. For example, Joseph Fenno King Mansfield - a Civil War Union Major General who died following the Battle of Antietam is buried here. So are many Connecticut and Massachusetts Vols. As for politicians, US Congressmen including Ebenezer Jackson Jr., and Samuel
Larkin Warner are buried here.
I've also found names of people associated with Wesleyan University throughout the graveyard. For example, you can find Wilbur Olin Atwater, a chemist that studied metabolism and human nutrition. He was Wesleyan's first Professor of Chemistry. And, there are no fewer than six Presidents of Wesleyan University buried there including Paul Raymond Bradford (Pres from 1889-1908) and James Lukens McConaughy (Pres from 1925-1943). McConaughy was also a Governor of Connecticut.
And then there are tombs that are just generally interesting - like gravestones for people who were lost at sea!
It is safe to say that we're hooked! Until the weather gets too cold and snowy, count on finding us wearing out our shoes and stroller treads on these great paths.
