Have you ever done something that surprised yourself, in a good way? I recently finished something that I never thought I could actually do, and I have to admit I’m kind of proud of myself. If you’re in the mood for a quick story, I’d love to tell you about it.
A year ago, as I sat by a beautiful river near my home, I had what Wildflower in my latest novel would call “the secret sense,” that if I didn’t make some kind of grand gesture in terms of becoming more physically active (writing is very sedentary, after all), I was going to make it harder on myself down the road and perhaps even shorten my writing career. Since I have many more books I hope to write, I began to walk that same day.
The Davidson River is a picturesque river in Pisgah National Forest located in the mountains of Western North Carolina. My goal was to try to walk 365 consecutive days and experience four complete seasons of the river and surrounding forest. I made this ambitious goal about creating a relationship with this river, because I knew if I made it about losing weight or an exercise program that I would fail, as I had many times before.
Davidson River is an old friend to me. Like many people who end up settling in this area, my daughters and I used to camp by the river when they were girls and we lived in Charleston. It was where I took them for a vacation as a single mom. The campground felt safe and met our needs. That was 25 years ago.
When we moved from Charleston to Asheville in 1994, we visited even more often, walking the same trail. As the years passed, I also took anyone I cared about to Davidson River, as if introducing them to my family. It felt more like “home” to me than any place I’d ever been. (I grew up on the other side of the Smoky Mountains in Knoxville, Tennessee.) Through the late 90s and early 2000s, my dog, Grace, and I walked along this river, sometimes with friends, sometimes alone. After she died, I released her ashes where she loved to swim.
When I started my daily walks back on August 12th, 2012, I’d had years of chronic back pain and could only hobble down the trail for about 20 minutes. I had tried everything for my aching back, except surgery, but I kept hobbling, day after day. It took months and months of walking, gradually increasing my distance, but now I am up to an hour a day and I am pain free. I never thought that was even possible.
As I write this, today is day 365. I did it! To mark the occasion, friends and family gathered for a celebratory picnic by the same river.
Walking by the river hasn’t been easy. The weather was a constant factor, and I thought about quitting many times. We had record-setting rains in July and one of the rainiest years, in general, in decades. Needless to say, I have been making peace with mud puddles. At the same time, I have marveled at the beauty and resilience of this lush forest and the creatures that live here.
Friends have asked me if I’ll continue walking now that the year is up and I always say yes. I plan to keep going, although I will probably stay home on the really bad weather days in the year to come. And even on those rare days when I may choose to stay home, I imagine the river awaiting my return.
I’ve written several novels, and I have thought of more than one new story I’d like to write as a result of my time spent walking by the river. It is a very fertile place for ideas.
I have also kept a river journal, where I have documented every day with observations and my progress. I may turn that into a book someday, too. If I do, you’ll be the first to know.
So what began as a hope for future fitness by walking by the river evolved into an accidental pilgrimage. A time that proved to be incredibly challenging, as well as rich and full of creativity. At the end of my life, I imagine I will look back on this moment not only with gratitude, but with a sense of satisfaction for the year I dedicated to walking along a river.
So while I continue to be a writer, I am not a sedentary one. A river runs through my life now. With that in mind, I encourage you to consider beginning a pilgrimage of your own, whatever that may look like.
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susangabriel.com
Author of The Secret Sense of Wildflower and Seeking Sara Summers
Print, ebook and audio book versions available.
Susan, this is a truly inspirational and wonderful article. Congratulations on your achievement! I love this!
Susan Bernhardt
http://www.susanbernhardt.com
What an inspiring blog post! Intention, courage and celebration!
Susan,
What a wonderful goal and accomplishment ! I too love river/ ocean/ lake walks and talks. Bodies of water do communicate with you. The greater percentage of our being is water. This is probably why living on a boat is so comforting to me. Over the years in my travels, if possible I would walk to work via some waterway. Islands are ideal places to do this, and in the cities it’s rivers and creeks or canals with their bridges and passageways. Even a pond in the middle of a park can become a welcoming friend, and should all others be unavailable go sit by a fountain where the water cascades from the maiden’s vase, or spews from the lion’s mouth, and make a wish.
Of late, my new goal in life is to, never rush anywhere again. Not even to the bus or metro/ subway/ tube/underground. Leave in plenty time to get there leisurely, and should you miss one, there will probably be another in two to five minutes……so just chill. I really believe it’s all about learning to go with the flow, and live in the moment.
I do so look forward to your posts.
Cheers,
Trélys
Congratulations, yea’s, wows and good job, Susan! I am blown away by your journey with the river. What an accomplishment. I will look forward to any book you write about this experience. Maybe this story will get me off my butt and I, too, will begin to take a daily walk. I live in Los Angeles, so weather is not a problem. I have no excuses, right?
I did something the other day that is kind of unique for me. I was watching my beloved grandson for the day and thought I would take him to the park so he could meet up with some kids and play a little baseball. Well, as luck should have it, there were no games being played, sooo, I threw the baseball back and forth with him for about 30 minutes. It was something I hadn’t done in a long, long time. I was so proud of myself because I am well into my seventies and I thought my days of baseball were over–hee, hee. Just goes to show, there’s some pep in the old girl yet.
Keep walking,
Mary
These comments are so wonderful! I’ve never been that great at accepting praise, but I am taking this in. Thank you!
Here’s another comment that came in by email:
“So, so happy to hear of your success with river walking. I never doubted that you could do it but now that it is done, Congratulations!! And the best news is that you are pain free. That is such a testament to the value of strengthening our bodies so they can keep on keeping on for us.
Blessings for another year, Jane”
Very inspiring.
I live across the street from a beautiful river–the Russian River–here in Northern Ca. and love to swim in her in the summer time. And I walk thru the woods nearby. But I’ve been a fair weather friend to her–will have to see what it’s like to try walking in the rain and cold as well.
Thank you. Lilith
Hi Lilith! How wonderful that you live across the street from a river! I understand about not wanting to walk in the rain and the cold. I walked in the rain again this morning and when I do I try to find something–anything–that is beautiful, even in the rain. I’ve studied the patterns of raindrops in the river. Once I found a hawk feather on the path or I will collect an interesting stone. Often the water droplets clinging to the leaves are beautiful. But still, I understand being a fair weather friend.
Thanks for commenting!
Wow, Susan!! I am soooo impressed. I have never stuck with
anything that long in my life except for bad habits. You
are amazing. Congratulations, and may you remain pain free.
Beautifully written piece. You should consider writing a collection of
essays. 🙂
Susan
Susan,
Congratulations, it takes hart to fulfill a commitment like that. What an awesome journey!!!!!
Tina
Oh, Susan, how wonderful….I love this story and all its many meanings….good for you for hanging in there on those days when the weather challenged your resolve….and how wonderful to have a place close to home that holds so many memories and has so much meaning for you….by the way, did you lose weight in the process? I’m especially happy to hear that your back is in good shape….love you, Diana
I just read your newsletter and wanted to pop over to say good job! I loved reading about your journey. What a great goal you set for yourself and I think it is wonderful that you made the year about the river and nature. So much to learn from observations and the added health benefits- so you were helping your body and soul. 🙂 Glad your back is feeling better and that you stuck to your goal. I am sure it will be nice to stay in on some of the bad weather days and to enjoy the river again this year. Bravo!
Hi Stephanie,
It’s very dear of you to stop by and let me know what you thought of my journey. I appreciate very much your congrats. I took day 366 off, but was back on the trail the next day. I can’t imagine stopping at this point. We writers need places that inspire us and this is one of mine. I hope that you have places that speak to you, as well.
Thanks for stopping by!
All the best,
Susan
Just as long as you don’t do what Virginia Woolf did by the river!
I’m glad you’ve found such bliss there, and you’ve inspired me to get more physical myself, though right now it’s more neighborhood walking. But I live in a very hilly neighborhood, and there’s lots of unexplored places. The best are usually right under your nose. 🙂
Hi John,
Tragic use of a river, regarding Virginia Woolf, but she had her reasons.
Like you, I am fortunate to live in a beautiful place. Like everywhere it has its trade-offs, but it is a good fit for me.
As they say in the real estate business: location, location, location. 🙂