Near and Far

I’ve always had a love of the outdoors, especially when there’s not a cloud in the sky and the temperature is anywhere above 65 degrees. When I was a stay-at-home mom with young kids, I didn’t have much money to sign them up for expensive recreational activities, or to pay for family travel to gorgeous destinations, so I developed a habit of going to local parks and trails in the area just to breath in the fresh air, stretch my legs, clear my head, leave troubles behind, and let my kids blow their stink off. 

My habit quickly became a hobby, and long after my kids grew up and they no longer needed me to get them out of the house, I continued to visit parks and trails on my own, falling in love with long walks in the sunshine anytime I could.

Where do I walk? I go to any variety of parks near and far to take my long sunny walks. I used to go to the downtown river walks in South Bend and Mishawaka, or here on campus around the lakes, to St. Pat’s Park for a nature hike, Bendix Woods, or even to the local state park, Potato Creek. 

More recently on days when it’s rainy or cloudy, I use my weather app to find parks outside of town where the sun might be shining. When I find another sunny location to take my walk, if it’s less than a couple hours away, I drive there. My new favorite parks are Erie Lackawanna Trail, Celery Flats and Prairie View County Park. 

Walking is great exercise for me, especially walking at least five miles or more the way I do on any occasion. If I want to up my exercise game I could run as I did in the past, but typically I don’t want to run, walking satisfies me.

The parks I choose to walk in are safe with several miles of paved trails and plenty of other pedestrians (but not too many) walking, jogging, riding bikes; everyone there is generally engaged in healthy recreational activity. My favorite parks are off the main highway, tucked into the trees, with clean restrooms, some security personnel and often a pond with a fountain somewhere. Prairies with wildflowers, a garden and bridges are a bonus. I tend to avoid parks with playgrounds because I don’t want to hear children screaming. I want to hear the sound of birds chirping, breezes blowing in the trees and, occasionally, my own thoughts. I often pray while I’m walking, too. When I can convince a family member to come along with me, I do! See photos below.

Hermalena Powell 

Assistant Director of Student Services

Graduate Programs