I Took A Walk

By Matt DeBray

When I was growing up I spent most of my summers helping my Grandpa on his wheat farm in Montana. There was a lot of time spent in the passenger seat of a car as we traveled between town and the farm and I clearly remember listening to old country music on the cassettes he kept in the truck when the radio signal got spotty. One of these cassettes was a Roy Rogers tape that had a song called “Don’t Fence Me In” on it. It was about an outlaw in the west that had been caught by the law and he was asking for leniency because he didn’t want to live behind a fence for the rest of his days. This song sticks with me, not because I’m a criminal on the run and I’m afraid of jail, but because I also don’t want to be stuck within four walls for the rest of my days. I enjoy seeking out adventure and exploring the world around me, and the best way I’ve found to do that is to walk as much as possible.

I’ve been fortunate enough to see some pretty cool places in my life and I’m constantly looking for new places to explore. Whenever I find myself in a city or town that I’ve never been to before I always make a point to do two big walks during my stay. The first walk is to orient myself with the surrounding area. It’s really nice to just figure out what is close by, where I can eat and really how walkable a place is. That first walk can really set the tone for my whole trip, if a place is walkable and has interesting things to see and do I’ll be excited to fit in as much as possible in my free time to experience the place i’m in. If it turns out that things aren’t so walkable, I’ll be a bit disappointed and try to figure out how I can get to a spot in the town where it’s easier to explore. 

The second walk is usually my favorite walk of the trip. On the last day of my trip I always work in time for what I consider a culinary adventure. I find a place that has a lot of restaurants or breweries and map out a walk that goes from lunch to dinner and back to the hotel, stopping for food when I’m hungry or a drink when I’m thirsty. I alway feel like this is when I get to really experience a place and get a real feel for the culture and vibe of where I’m at. It also ends the trip on a good note, the last thing I want is to visit a new place and never want to go back. 

Walking is also a treat for my mental health. I always feel more relaxed after a good walk and not just because of the endorphins that are released when you exercise. Making myself pay attention to my surroundings and just be in the moment when I’m walking is how I’m able to practice mindfulness and really relax for a while. No two walks are ever the same, even if you walk the same path on a frequent basis. The wind blows another direction, different birds fly overhead, the sounds, smells, and experiences are all changed daily. Even a simple walk around the wetlands at Rosewood Nature Study Area can be completely different from one day to the next. You never know what you’ll see and that’s exciting! Excitement and relaxation might seem like different feelings but I can speak from experience that both can happen after a good long walk. 

Like anything you’re trying to get the most out of, a good walk can require some preparation. Good shoes and sunscreen are always key no matter the time of year, and other things like a hat, sunglasses, and maybe a jacket are definitely things that should be considered before you venture off into the world. Some people like to listen to music or a podcast while they walk and if you do that’s awesome, it’s not my preference though. When I go for walks I get the most out of them when I’m fully in the moment. I like to feel the ground under my feet and see the world around me as it moves and changes from day to day. I think everyone should try a distraction free walk at least once, if you hate it, grab some headphones and put on that excellent playlist or a podcast about frogs. The most important thing is to get out there and go for a walk.

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About the Author

Matt DeBray   (he/him/his)

Communications Manager

Matt is the Communications Manager for Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation. After serving with TMPF as an AmeriCorps VISTA in 2017 he worked to promote AmeriCorps programs throughout Nevada for four years and is excited to be back at the place that started his journey in the nonprofit world. Matt studied Radio Television Production at the University of Montana and brings over a decade of experience to the TMPF communications team. When he isn't working you can find Matt watching baseball, hiking with his family, or being pulled behind a boat.