Meandering Together, Apart

Meandering Together, Apart
            Whether along a dirt path, a snowy field, a pine-covered forest floor, a grassy meadow, or along the water’s edge, I have loved walking outdoors since I was a young child. I loved walking alone, with my beagle, with my brothers, dad or friends.
            When I got married and had my own family, I wanted to share that same love of walking under the open sky or the canopy of a forest with my two sons and husband. We have walked thousands of miles together over the years.
            Looking back at photos of us hiking, I realize how easy it is to fall into a rhythm as we walk together, and how nice it would be if we could all always be together for our walks, but with one son far away in London, that’s not possible.
            Modern technology means that we can text and have video chats easily. I’ll text my son to say we’re heading out for a weekend walk, and he asks me to send a photo of where we went. It’s a way of connecting over the distance and remembering the unspoken camaraderie of just being out walking as a unit.
            Do you have favorite walking partners? Do you like walking alone? Enjoy your walks, whoever you’re with, and keep putting one foot forward!
            This week’s Hike Notes from the archives takes readers around the Bald Hill from Deer Park, introduces one of countless hike options from Deer Park in Fairfax. The climb up Bald Hill is worth it for the scenery along the way and the views from the top.
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This week’s hike from the archives:
Hike Notes 65: Bald Hill from Deer Park