Walking Flagstaff

I have often wondered if I could make it in Flagstaff without a car with my current lifestyle- mom with son. I have reason to wonder. I have a mild seizure disorder that was diagnosed with a grand mal seizure over 10 years ago. When I had the seizure my driver’s license was taken away for several months. I rode the bus to work or rode with my husband. I really had no transportation problems. My seizure activity is minimal or non-existent right now, but I sometimes wonder how I would get around without a car.

Just out of curiosity, I checked walking mileage for a couple of Flagstaff locations on “Google maps.” To go from the Flagstaff Medical Center to Target is 2.3 miles or 44 minutes. From Target to the Flagstaff Mall is six miles, or about 2 hours walking. Of course, I could always ride the bus or ride a bike. But what is a reasonable walking distance?

Our fast-paced society has changed our attitudes towards how we spend our time (time is money?) so while one mile should be no problem, it translates to 20 minutes walking versus five to ten minutes in the car. Also many United States towns are car-dependent, they really aren’t built for pedestrians: sidewalks are missing, crosswalks are non-existent, traffic whizzes by at scary speeds, etc. (People are working to make Flagstaff more pedestrian friendly. See FUTS trails, improved crosswalks, timed crossings, etc.)

But since it’s one of my goals, what will it take for me to forego the car and take to my legs, bike wheels and bus? Convenience has been the big winner so far.

I think a challenge is in order. Stay tuned for details…

Walking Goals

Ahh, my goals. I have many walking goals but have not met or worked towards any of them the last couple of weeks. Oh, I have my excuses. It's been raining (very poor excuse, as I watch people bicycling in the rain). Our house/kitchen is being remodeled (semi-reasonable excuse, I have been busy with household duties and running here and there getting this and that to complete a project). Regardless, I haven't been walking as much as I would like.
What are my goals? I have three.
1. To walk 10,000 steps, six days a week. I round this up to a four mile walk each day. Usually I easily achieve this goal. Walk my Son to and from school equals two miles and a walk around Buffalo Park for two more miles completes the four miles.
2. To condition myself so that I can go on longer, more difficult hikes. My specific goal is to walk in and out of the Grand Canyon in one day. I know of many people who do this regularly. Not me. I swore I would never do that hike in one day. I have hiked in to Phantom Ranch and spent the night and then hiked out. I thought that was just fine. I don't know what changed, all I know is that I want to take advantage of my healthy legs and lungs while I can. I have a lot of hills to climb before I will feel good about trying that hike.
3. To depend less and less on my car. I will need to challenge myself to accomplish this goal and will talk about this more later.
Share your walking goals.