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Walks as a source of #RealNews – Walk 6, Yr 3, March 4, 2017

March 5, 2017March 6, 2017 By fmw

Saturday morning, March 4, 2017, 19 Fresno mindfulness walkers met in the neighborhood at Bluff and Churchill and strolled down the footpath into the vast expanse leading to the San Joaquin River’s edge.  For almost 4 miles, walkers strolled dirt paths, mowed grass paths, and tire tracks to witness wildlife, wide variety of foliage, distant horizons, cloud speckled sky, ponding basins, people fishing, the flowing San Joaquin River, and fast moving highway 41 traffic.  All of this is in the center of Fresno, just 2 miles from the RiverPark shopping center.

Walkers saw recent plantings near the riverbed, staked and irrigated.  Walkers described feeling connected to mother nature and that time stopped by the river – that the granite boulders were a connection to the past.  Walkers witnessed people enjoying the outdoors – people and nature together.  Walker described the symbolism of first taking the higher road vs. lower road next to the river.  Just a few yards apart, this changed the view and perspective.
Walkers described the large contrasts between this area in the drought of last summer and how it looks now with a full and flowing river.

Walkers noticed the details of a crane flying low to the water casting its mirror image reflection across the surface.
Walkers were thankful to hear and see the ‘real news’ of the water we read about.  A walker described the cumulative information she has learned from mindfully walking Fresno – a source of ‘real news’, allowing her to see all of Fresno for herself.  
Walkers enjoyed walking under Hwy 41 instead of just speeding over it in a car.  It’s a completely different perspective and the walker will now carry of the memory of river, boulders, and cement supports that are under the highway.
Walkers appreciated that we could walk along river even though some of this may be private property.  Gates were open or paths were accessible.

Walkers noticed a fire pit by the river, empty alcohol bottles – and commented that a fast moving river and alcohol is a dangerous combination.   Overall, walkers saw very little trash – which they described as signs that people respect the area.

Walkers smelled orange blossoms.  Walkers described relaxation from watching and listening to the birds, flying against the blue sky above us, and the V-pattern of ripples in the water.

Walkers met Elias, who was visiting from Arcada, and his mother who were bird watching.  Elias showed us a photo on his camera of the Vermilion Flycatcher and said we should look to see more.

Walkers returned up the steep slope to Bluff and walked through the neighborhood, seeing large homes with beautifully manicured yards.

“What a beautiful day to get out of the house and join a group of walkers. The San Joaquin River is flowing with a strong underlying current. It’s wonderful seeing an area that is respected by people. Very little trash — what you bring in, you take out as you leave.”  Tami

 

”  A beautiful walk along the San Joaquin river!  I’m so grateful for these walks! We see for ourselves what is REAL about Fresno instead of just believe what we hear in the media or through gossip about our town. ❤   #getcurious #getoutthere #seeforyourself  ”  Wendy


Every walk is a chance to see more of Fresno and to increase our understanding of places and people we might not otherwise know.  These are all our brothers and sisters in Fresno, and all of our lives and futures are tied together.

Facebook photo album:  https://www.facebook.com/pg/fresnomindfulnesswalks/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1917415775211834

 

This entry was posted in Uncategorized

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UPCOMING WALK: Saturday, January 29, 2022, 10 a.m.

Fresno Mindfulness Walks will lead a Saturday morning walk on January 29, 2022, beginning at 10 am. at 271 N. Glenn Ave., Fresno, CA 93701 (the home of Craig Scharton).  
 
The walk will be about 3 miles, at a stroll to medium pace, occasionally on uneven ground, and take about an hour and a half. By walking mindfully and without talking, we will experience the Lowell neighborhood in new ways. At the conclusion of the walk, we’ll gather back at Craig’s yard and spend a few minutes talking about what we discovered about ourselves and the neighborhood. 
Walks are free and require no RSVP. Look for the Facebook event to share with your friends. For email notifications, sign up in the yellow bar at the top.
Lori Clanton
Lucky Leader to Fresno Mindfulness Walks

How FMW works —

Fresno Mindfulness Walks are weekly opportunities for people to walk together for a 4 mile route through a different Fresno neighborhood each week. Walkers practice active mindfulness by attending to the sights, sounds, smells, feelings.  Walkers do not talk to each other on walks, but we do greet people we meet along the way.  The walk location and exact start time are posted just a few days in advance. All walks are free, require no RSVP, and anyone is welcome to join one walk or many. To learn about upcoming walks, you can sign up for a weekly email in the yellow bar at the top of this website and/or LIKE and follow the FMW Facebook page.

 

To learn about the routine that begins each walk and read some of the resources that have inspired FMW, check out the resources page.

 

Weekly walks are about 4 miles and take about an hour and a half. Walks are at a medium pace, often on uneven ground, and sometimes take longer than expected because walkers see themselves as curious travelers lingering to observe or going around a different way.

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