How to Explore: Pay Attention

This is not about grand exploring adventures or discovering new cultures. This is about exploring your backyard--but the same rule applies to wherever in the world you may find yourself.

Pay Attention

The other week, while playing cards with our neighbours, my ears perked up at the following comment:

Neighbour: "Oh, we walk down that road all the time, too. Usually as far as the bridge."

Me: "Brigde? What bridge? There's a bridge down there?!"

Neighbour: "Ah, yeah.You can't be walking very far then."

/Apparently not. But I paid attention. About 30 minutes in, he said. That can't be, I thought, I must be walking at least 30 minutes down the dirt road before turing back. Am I blind? How could I miss that.

So I gave myself an hour and set out with a watch. I got to the point in the road where I normally turn around, about 25 minutes in. But I kept walking. In less than five minutes, I found the bridge.

View from the bridge:

I can't believe I just missed it before, every single time. I walk this road when I need a break from the computer or just before supper--I never gave myself enough time before.

But now I will.

I guess another rule would be just when you think you've walked far enough, go a little further.

A new area to explore (and get chummy with the ticks) this summer.