Author: Margaret Leonard

Now that 2010 is almost over,  it should be noted that two new walking shoes became popular this year.  Time will tell whether these revolutionary designs will stick around for the next decade.

One of the most intriguing new shoes is the Vibram Five Fingers (VFF), a “barefoot” experience.  One of our Walk the Bay finishers did the entire 40 mile route this summer wearing these radical shoes.

Proponents swear that returning our foot to it’s natural state will enhance the walking or running experience and solve a multitude of joint problems.  An excellent article by a fan of the VFF shoes can be found here.

The other shoe craze for walkers are the dynamic walkers or rocker walkers.  The most popular editions are the models by Sketchers.  However, many other manufacturers are offering shoes that mimic the benefits of walking on sand.  The shoes have a curved sole that creates an imbalance when you walk, making your calves, thighs and glutes work harder. Many of us have been crowing about the amazing workout one gets from a long distance beach walk.  Now city walkers can enjoy the enhanced workout, as well.  Check out this interesting article.

I’ll be experimenting over the off season with a pair of dynamic shoes and will report my findings.

In the meantime, the most important walking shoe is the one you wear and the one that keeps you happy as you walk your way around the neighborhood or around the globe.  Keep walking!

I was fortunate to spend a week in London earlier this month.  I was delighted to find an amazing walk along the Thames, The Thames Path National Route.  Although the December weather was cold, it was fun to walk along the Thames and see all of the vibrant river activities.  The path is well marked and beautifully maintained.  A great advantage of this civilized route was the ability to rest frequently at local pubs and restaurants.  I was able to spot gulls, terns, cormorants, mallards and several species of pigeons along the river.  I heartily recommend this walk and urge anyone traveling to London to check the website and find a little time to enjoy the route.

You know about the fabulous views, beaches, marine mammals, and shorebirds….

Now, it’s time to learn a little bit about the unusual and rare plants that live along the Monterey Bay. The beach and dune habitats are home to many unique plants, many found only along this beautiful coastline.

There are many wonderful resources for identifying and studying these rare plants.

One of our host hotels, the Sanctuary Beach Resort in Marina, provides interpretive plaques along pathways in the resort showing various plants found in the dunes. Once you’ve mastered the common plants you may wish to try your hand at the rare and endangered species. A great website to visit for this worthwhile endeavor is found here.

Walking through California’s newest State Park, Ft. Ord Dunes, offers one an amazing chance to see numerous rare wildflowers and plants. This extensive list with photos is invaluable.
Many plants you see along your hike around the Monterey Bay can only be found in this unique environment.

Plan a trip in May or June of 2011 to see wildflowers and dune plants in bloom.

I just returned from my first trip to a Dude Ranch in Arizona. What a great experience! I finally felt comfortable on a horse and enjoyed the view from the saddle. It’s a great way to see wildlife and commune with nature.

Our Walk the Bay walkers have a wonderful opportunity during their walking holiday to take a horseback ride on the beach. There is only one beach on the Monterey Bay that allows horses, the Salinas River State Beach. This is one of our walkers’ favorite beaches. It’s very remote and quiet with endless white sand and dunes. Beautiful and well taken care of horses are provided by the Monterey Bay Equestrian Center for your ride.

If you’d like to include a horseback ride on the beach as a part of your Slow Adventure, please let me know and I’ll make the arrangements. Enjoy your holidays and KEEP WALKING!

Just when you thought your fun summer activities were over….here comes the best kayaking season of the year! Yes, there is no better time to kayak the Elkhorn Slough in Moss Landing. This little gem of a town is one of my favorite places along the Monterey Bay. In addition to amazing beach walks, it boasts Elkhorn Slough, the largest estuary south of San Francisco. Kayaks can be easily rented from The Kayak Connection.   The Kayak Connection will provide expert instruction, assistance, great equipment, as well as tips for timing, route, and directions.

Why winter? The Elkhorn Slough provides a stop over for thousands of migrating birds as they move south during the winter. There are hundreds of different species of birds and ducks found during the winter at the slough, some in trees, along the banks, in the mud flats, or enjoying the pickle weed. You will not be disappointed.

The migrating birds share Elkhorn Slough with large colonies of sea otters, harbor seals, and sea lions. You’ll enjoy seeing them swim, fish, dive, jump, and socialize with one another. Your view from a kayak is really amazing.