Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Take in Stride...

I like walking. But somewhere in the 90s in Southern California people stopped calling it walking. If you walked in the woods or up a mountain path: it was hiking. If you walked around the track or even around the neighborhood it was worse: it was power walking. If you jogged to the corner and then walked for a few blocks before sprinting home: it was low impact cardio. Instead of walking up and down the stairs, you took step classes. Just walking had become outdated and quaint. In an age of ambition, just walking was not an action item. It was too unmotivated. (Unless it was on a treadmill at the gym.) If you just walked, you'd better do it in $200 walking shoes with a state-of-the-art pedometer, a heart rate monitor and a bottle of vitamin water.

Poor walking. Forced to compete when all it really wanted was to hang out and play.

In recent years, outdoor malls modeled after small town city centers have become the rage. At places like The Grove , Universal City Walk and The Americana at Brand, you can stroll along cobblestone sidewalks, beneath vintage-inspired streetlamps, in an experience replicating the bygone custom of ... just walking around town. We're lucky to be able to just walk around town in South Pasadena. At just barely 3.44 square miles, we can walk all the way around town. (With all the hills we can even call it a work out.)

18 comments:

Judy Williams said...

This should get your toes tappin'.

Mister Earl said...

As I recall, Laurie, you once posted a photo of a house in that shade of green with a pink Christmas tree. In fact, it was December 13, 2008. These are the same colors.

The photo location looks like a border between two warring countries, but a lady of that age, dressed as she it, would not be walking through a real no-man's land.

Yakpate said...

That is one stylish grandma... uh, senior citizen. In her purple pants, purple belt and purple handbag, she decides to walk along a grass green wall. And LA was there, waiting to snap another great shot.

Nobody walks in L.A.

San Diego Farmgirl said...

Ah, walking in LA ...
Once Kato Kaelin almost ran over me while I was walking in West LA. Jerry Seinfeld almost took me out the next day. And then there was the constant cat calling by the professional fellas down at the LAPD.
The best time to walk in LA is early Sunday morning, when everybody is home asleep, and the cops are changing shifts. Like the opening scenes of 28 Days Later. All of LA, without the LA! Ahhh!

Ken Mac said...

the pink the green her hair...wow!

Altadenawalker said...

I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about.

TheChieftess said...

Personally...I kind of like walking in the Denver airport where they have the moving sidewalk!!!! Now, I really do walk it....but you really do just get there so much faster!!!!

dbdubya said...

Great outfit, especially the stylish walking shoes. It's great to get old - you can wear anything and get away with it. Only in South Pasadena will you get a senior in purple and pink walking by a green wall with graffit on the wall that includes a heart. Even our graffit is kinder, gentler.

dbdubya said...

Hey Yak, I'm married to a Grandma and she doesn't look at all like this one. I think Laurie captured a spry great grandma out for her daily stroll.

Shanna said...

Then, there's walking with someone as in:

"Let's take an old-fashioned walk.
I'm just bursting with talk."

Too bad we now just let our fingers do the walking - and the talking.

Anonymous said...

If this is the position you've taken, I'm afraid the post I put up today is going to upset you.

Yakpate said...

dbdubya: Well, now that I take a second look, this walker has a trim, fit body... so if she's a great grandma, you must have one babelicious wife!

dbdubya said...

I do, Yak, especially considering she's a grandma with a 12 year old grandaughter.

Laurie Allee said...

Altadenawalker... that's hilarious. Girlfriend you actually DO hike. But I'll admit, some of those "hikes" I took in the Santa Monica mountains... well, I was just walking.

Pasadenaadjacent, I'll check out your post. But I can't imagine getting upset. I don't take positions, I just blather.

This woman in the picture has been featured before. (Pasadenaadjacent may remember her...) I find her so glowing and fabulous. And she's almost always smiling. Love it.

Dbdubya, I know your babelicious wife and she is, truly, babelicious!!!

Love these comments today, everyone.

Dixie Jane said...

Step on a crack, break your mother's back.

Ah, shades of yesteryear.

Anonymous said...

Yes i do remember her and I thought it might be her.

Laurie Allee said...

Thanks, everyone!

I'll catch up with you tomorrow...

Natalie DeJohn said...

This lady is so stylish. Love her! What a great photo.