Got up this morning and walked down to the grocery store (lottery tickets: I know, don't tell me) and then to Panera to get bagels for everyone for breakfast. I usually get up before everyone else in the house except for my youngest. Plus I really enjoy being out and about before most folks, and the weather is usually perfect that time in the morning (about 0730 this time).
It's not far, about a half mile. So the 1 mile hike wasn't a taxing ordeal by any stretch of the imagination. But it got me to thinking about the 'what if' we had to walk everywhere. Us first worlders just aren't used to having to walk. Even for those of us who might be 'in shape' and can run for 3 to 10 miles, walking becomes a totally different challenge. Mainly because you can't run everywhere, particularly if you have a load to carry.
Get a map of your area. Draw a circle at three miles from your house. The average walking pace is 3 miles per hour. Now think about your day if you had to factor in that two hour round trip for anything at that circle. Water? Food? Medical care? Friends and family? What will that travel time mean to your plans?
In my case, I live by a river so water is only a couple of hundred yards away. But I'm sure if I try and carry a five gallon can home from the river it will suddenly seem much farther away.
Close relatives are about 2 miles away, so on foot that is 30-40 minutes. In other words, I'm not going to 'be right there' if I had to go help out with something (like defense).
The Navy base, which might be a site of refuge (I'm retired Navy) is 8 miles away. Hospitals are 2 to 4 miles away. To get outside the city, we're talking 10-12 miles, 3 to 4 hours on foot. Now factor in load, kids, injuries, security concerns. I bet your rate of travel will be less than 3 miles per hour.
Just something to think about.
