Neighborhood Strolls

One of our favorite things to do as a family is to go for what we now call "strolls" through our neighborhood.

Walks are something that has always been a part of Lucas and I's relationship.  When were dating in college we would go for several hour walks through the hills near our campus.  As recent grads, we would walk through his neighborhood, lined with neatly uniform California stucco houses.  As a young family, we walk through the canyons near our residence hall home.

And now, we walk through our charming Seattle neighborhood, stopping to admire all the old craftsman homes along our paths.  I love these walks not just because of the fresh air and the good exercise, but also because it brings a sense of belonging to our community.

As we walk, we often to see the same people out and about.  There is a young couple and their daughter who often walk to the park near our house.  An elderly couple would hold hands as they chat and stroll.  A man and his two, little yappy dogs.  A recent college grad and the huge, running beast of a dog she runs to keep up with.  We stop and talk with all of these people along the way on our walks- and we have come to know them as our neighbors and our friends.

So, what about you?  Do you walk or bike to places close enough for you to walk?  Are there familiar faces in your daily routine that you could stop and get to know?