Thoreau on Walking

This was sent to me by one of the readers of this blog:

It is true, we are but faint-hearted crusaders, even the walkers, nowadays, who undertake no persevering, never-ending enterprises. Our expeditions are but tours, and come round again at evening to the old hearth-side from which we set out. Half the walk is but retracing our steps. We should go forth on the shortest walk, perchance, in the spirit of undying adventure, never to return - prepared to send back our embalmed hearts only as relics to our desolate kingdoms. If you are ready to leave father and mother, and brother and sister, and wife and child and friends, and never see them again - if you have paid your debts, and made your will, and settled all your affairs, and are a free man, then you are ready for a walk..

Henry David Thoreau ( from his essay "Walking" - 1862)

Which is a lovely piece of writing..although I am not yet ready to fall completely into the crowd of those who love Thoreau. His epic season at Walden Pond, living the pure life in the wilderness, was much tempered by his sister bringing him cookies every afternoon. So maybe he wasn't ready to leave his father and mother, sister and brother...or at least his sister's cookies.

Still, it's always a good time to go for walk. On that we can agree.