There is a beautiful park near my parents’ house. I used to hike it as a kid, and I still run there when I’m on the peninsula and have some time to spare between work and a later event. I’ve always walked, or ran, the same almost 2-mile loop that my mom first introduced me to when I was 12. Once my friend and I tried a different path and got lost and my parents had to come find us in the park after dark. I’ve never ventured off that one loop since then.
But I could always see the other paths crisscrossing the hills below where I run and have always wanted to try one out. I’m no longer afraid of getting lost in the park, but I rarely have much time to spare and I worry about trying a new trail without knowing how long or rigorous it will be. I still run the same loop twice when I go to the park.
The last time I ran my double loop, I realized there were maps at the front sign. I grabbed one and marveled at how many different trails there were. I vowed that when I came again, I would try something new.
Last week I spent the night with my kids at my parents’ house, so that morning I woke up early, put on my running gear and drove to the park. For the first time since I was a kid all those years ago, I took a different path, and ended up running the entire perimeter of the park. It was beautiful, and so fun to be running somewhere new. I can’t believe how big the park is, and now I want to take my kids up there for a longer hike than the one I’ve taken them on before.
Exploring the unknown, walking somewhere and not being sure of where you’re going or where you’ll end up, can be a thrilling experience. But I find I’m much more adventurous when I have an idea of where I’m going and how long it will take me to get there. I really do appreciate having a map.
Do you prefer exploring on your own? Or do you appreciate having a map to guide you?
I am definitely more comfortable exploring when I know that I can check my location on a map (which tends to be Google Maps). I have a horrible sense of direction and get easily turned around unless I’m extremely focused on memorizing landmarks. I’m on vacation in Italy now and this morning I walked 1.5 miles around the small town I’m staying in, including outside of the main town center. I wouldn’t have felt comfortable wandering if I didn’t have my phone with me!
My sense of direction is so horrifying that I’ve lived in my city for a year and a half and sometimes still take transit in the wrong direction. Going somewhere without GPS or a map is terrifying for me because I’m so afraid I’ll get lost and never find my way back.
Maps, physical geography or life ones, give a sense of structure and position and make goals possible. I like maps.
So glad you found one for the park and had a lovely run and will be taking your children back exploring.
Me, I grew up with a father who owned a trucking company. My sense of direction is good (I can typically figure out north) so I like to adventure without a map if I have time. If I am on schedule a map is a must. My father never needs a map and always knows where he is across the continent, it is quite remarkable. I’ve always thought he had super powers, I still do!