Friedrich Nietzche wrote, “all truly great thoughts are conceived while walking”.
The idea to write this article, while, maybe, not a “great” idea, did come to me while I was walking.
Here goes...
Many times through the years I have been asked “Why do you walk?” When first I was asked the question I would respond, “because I ran out of excuses for not walking”. I had a friend who had walked long term. Every time I saw her she would ask: “did you walk this morning?” I would respond “No” and give that day’s excuse. The excuses became as lame as “I didn’t want to”. “I don’t like walking...” I heard what I was saying and got a nagging happening in my head and it just persisted. These days I answer the question, “Why do I walk?” differently. Now I say...
I walk to more fully observe and experience the beauty of the created order.
The earth is stunning: its intricacies immeasurable. Mary Louis wrote, “to walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles”. I have witnessed a thousand miracles!
Walking through the seasons reveals just a tiny glimpse of the marvel, the interconnectedness, the wonders right before me:
Winter reveals snow, hoarfrost, drifts, snow-laden trees, tracks in the fresh snow, squeaky sounds, frigid air that somehow feels so pure, so clear. And this season seems frozen in time.
Spring brings change, every day. Tender greening, growth, drying, blossoms, wildflowers, oh the variety of wildflowers.
Spring holds more activity. Farm equipment at work, preparing and planting the land. Fields are transformed, levelled, brown/black into the foreseeable steps. Gardens begin to emerge. Wild animals with their newborn often cross my path. Most fascinating was seeing two cougars walking on a newly seeded field in May. Most frightening is getting too close to bears who are out patrolling, looking for their breakfast. Domestic animals, cattle with their spring calves speckle the countryside, baby lambs with their mothers as I walk the forty shades of green of Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula Hiking Trail. And sheep herds coming towards us on the hiking trail that has merged to become a road for vehicles and for farm purposes.
And, oh joy! This season means lighter walking clothes and the warm spring sun!
Summer sees the wildflowers continue to flourish – wild roses, buttercups, paintbrushes, tiger lilies (my favourite), lady slippers (she must have a big foot), etc.
They seem to stand still in time, yet even by the next morning, their appearance has changed. Crops emerge and change daily. The canola comes into full bloom and radiates beauty for three weeks.
Trees are in full foliage and provide shade from the season’s heat. The river has slowed from the rush of spring run-off and it lazily makes its way toward the lake. Lakeside walks are exhilarating as the loon calls, fish jump, and ripples move across the water. Summer walks tend to extend in length, perhaps with the hope of prolonging the season.
All too soon summer gives way to autumn and the changes speed up. Crops ripen, wildflowers wither, grasses die... and the leaves so brilliant before their fall. Sounds change and the dominant morning sound in the country for a period of time is the honking of geese as they let me know my walking days will soon be more challenging for winter is lurking.
And another sound is common: farm equipment – moving toward a harvest-ready field or moving out after completing the field late into the night. Trucks hauling the yield of their labour to their chosen grain terminal or to store in bins until later. And the sound that keeps me most alert – gunshots. Hunting season has arrived. The wild animals that have learned I am not a threat through the year are now on edge.
Very often I can only catch a glimpse of them off in the distance as they flee quickly picking up on my smell or hearing my step. I have even made lots of noise and blown my whistle to get them moving when I know hunters are in the area! The rivers appear lazy in this season. Their water levels drop and they seem in no hurry to get to the lake before freeze up.
And then one morning I step out into the countryside covered in white. I am reminded that another walking year lies before me and nothing has been written on it yet. So I step into the experience to embrace what is down the road...
I walk for my health and well-being. Obviously, walking is good for me. My body is designed to be upright and to get around on my own two feet, not to sit in one position for extended periods of time. On April 9, 2007, I laced up my runners and stepped out of my door into a spring morning. Since that morning I have laced up my runners, winter/summer hiking boots every day and April 8, 2022, saw 5479 consecutive walking days in 15 years. I began in 2007 with the intent that on a 90-day sabbatical (that began that day) I would become a healthier person physically.
And what I discovered is that my mental, physical, and spiritual health all responded to the act of putting one foot in front of the other. As 90 days concluded I had formed a habit, as you can imagine. So the morning walk was now built into my schedule. As time moved along when my mind thought “let’s skip today’s walk,” it seemed my body vibrated in protest so, my feet took my mind out the door on these days. Walking regularly is one of those activities that are truly self-reinforcing. The more of it I do the more I like to do it and the easier it is to do. Many times in these last two years as we lived with all the challenges and changes of a worldwide pandemic I have given thanks for my walking ritual. It has kept me safe, and healthy, and allowed me to escape new restrictions, changes, and responsibilities for a brief span of time each day.
Social – By nature I am a quiet, reserved person and so a walk by myself is a good fit. But I do enjoy the company of others. I experience a perfect walk when a neighbour meets me along the road so that some of the walk is in solitude, some in communication with another. I much enjoy walks in the Swan River Legion Park where I cross paths with others and have brief conversations. Communication and conversations are easier on a walk. It is easier to articulate, to share thoughts when putting one foot in front of the other. It is easy to open up, to become vulnerable as I share something I’ve been guarding or incubating for some time as I walk with a neighbour or friend.
It is also easier to ask a difficult or uncomfortable question. By far the most fun I had walking has been in the company of friends, especially extended hikes on the Dingle Walk in Ireland, the Iona Pilgrimage in Scotland, the El Camino Pilgrimage in Spain and the East Coast Trail in Newfoundland.
Lots of fun, deep bonding, and risk-taking as we shared walking and its benefits.
By far the scariest experience I had walking was when I was alone. I truly regretted not having a companion that morning! Often I do not even take my cell phone but fortunately that morning as I was gathering what I might need my eye caught the phone and I picked it up.
It was April 2017. I stepped out to walk in Paris. Well, each intersection had like seven converging directions. So no prairie intersection – north, south, east, west. No.
Everything was at an angle. I walked for an hour and thought I had better head back for breakfast. Our tour bus was leaving at 9 a.m.. I walked for some time but then became aware that nothing in my surroundings was familiar.
For quite some time I tried to retrace my steps but nothing seemed right and I could tell by the light that I was not going in the right direction. When I headed where I thought I should go, that did not work either. I was lost!
So I asked numerous people and one sent me one way and I would go and would not find my way. I asked another only to be directed back to where I came from. Most of them spoke Paris French. So I hit a language barrier!
I had walked in countless major cities: Madrid, Dublin, Belfast, Toronto, Las Vegas, Glasgow, San Diego, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Helsinki... and never got lost before!! So my pride was injured and once I soothed it, quieted my fear, my brain re-started. I realized I did have my phone. And, I did have 27 percent battery life, so had to be efficient in its usage. I phoned my daughter and son-in-law. They pulled up a map and in time they were able to match where I was as I stood at one of those seven pronged intersections, and they directed me back to our hotel. Enough excitement for one day, and all of it before breakfast! Definitely walking with another is a good strategy!
Henry David Thoreau wrote, “the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow”.
This has been my experience. And some of my thoughts I choose to explore in my own head, others I like to share with another to reflect more in-depth, to understand more clearly, or just to verbalize what seems to me to be a good thought.
So the balance between walking alone and walking with another is something I always keep in mind.
To conclude, walking is low cost. A good pair of runners or hiking boots and seasonally suitable clothing that is probably in one’s clothes closet. There are few obstacles if one is physically mobile. No bad weather, just poor clothing.
Walking is a daily adventure that has fully enriched my life. I can’t wait for tomorrow to arrive... So my response to those who ask me now: “Why do I walk?” is this: “why not walk?”

As inflation creeps in and the cost of food rises, the harder it is for some individuals and families to make ends meet.
These factors also can impact how much food a community food bank can purchase. Tying all these things together, spring is an excellent time to donate and local grocers continue collecting food and monetary donations for the Swan Valley Food Bank (SVFB).
The SVFB is preparing for the time of year when they have to look at purchasing more items to meet the needs of people who use their service.
“Our numbers appear to be relatively consistent, but summer is typically when we need to purchase more groceries,” said SVFB Treasurer Phyllis Hunt. “It could possibly be because people are moving from town to town during better weather. There has been a slight increase in people coming to the food bank, but we anticipate that these numbers will rise due to the cost of food and fuel increasing.”
Along with a Spring Food Drive happening now until Easter at Extra Foods, there are donation boxes set up regularly at both grocery stores, where people can drop off items for the SVFB.
“There are donation boxes at both Extra Foods and the Swan Valley Consumer’s Co-op (SVCC),” said Hunt. “The SVCC has hunger bags put together for individuals to buy and donate to us and Extra Foods is doing a Spring Food Drive, which started last week. Plus we have other corporate sponsors, churches and many individuals who also donate on a regular basis.”
Non-perishable items are key to donate when giving to the food bank, but there are some items that are really needed for giving out.
The SVFB is open every week for certain items and provides a hamper each month to those in need.
“Items such as canned fruit, vegetables, meat, pork & beans, rice, soup, pasta and pasta sauce are really needed for the SVFB,” said Hunt. “We’re open every Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. For three weeks of the month, we give out bread and pastry, as well as specific needed items, if we have them in stock. Then a hamper box is given out once per month. We average 70 family and 65 singles boxes each month.
“We have a total of 14 volunteers who either work on Thursday and/or do regular pickups from Extra Foods and SVCC each week. Last year, the donated food from corporate, churches, clubs, schools and individuals totalled 74,046 lbs.
We appreciate so much the support of our community, whether financially or in donations of food,” said Hunt. “We couldn't continue this important work without all of you.”

The SVRSS Tigers hockey team started, and finished, their championship series this past weekend. When it was over, the Tigers walked away as champions of the Consolation side of the Westman High School Hockey League (WHSHL) playoffs.

The Tigers kicked off the finals by hosting the H-R-E-S Huskies - who are based out of Hamiota - last Thursday night (March 24). By Sunday night, the season was over, capping off a run of championship seasons by Swan Valley-based teams.

Huskies 1, Tigers 7

Following a tight opening 20 minutes that saw the two teams exchange goals, the Tigers opened the game up in the second period before coasting to the lopsided win.

Hamiota actually opened the scoring just 4:16 into the contest as Tanner Mervyn scored his 17th of the season, giving the visitors their only lead of the game.

Just over four minutes later, Brady Burg-hart pounced on a rebound for his 13th on the campaign. Assists went to Tavyn Boychuk and Kyle Graham.

The score stayed deadlocked at 1-1 until the 13:48 mark when senior forward Nick Baskier scored what would turn out to be the game-winning goal.

Wyatt Rose picked up the only assist on Baskier’s 20th of the season.

Sammy-Jo Moshenko banged home a rebound to add to the lead just over 30 seconds later, scoring her second of the season, with assists going to Baskier and Rose.

Then, with just over two minutes to play in the second period, Boychuk picked up his second goal since joining the team earlier this month, giving the host Tigers a commanding 4-1 lead going into the second intermission.

Graham and Bailey Hunt picked up the assists on the Boychuk marker.

The third period started like the second ended, with Noah Weir pushing the lead to 5-1, just thirty seconds in.

For Weir, the goal was his 10th on the season, with assists going to Tyan Mykula and Kash Henkelman.

Graham would follow that up with his 10th of the year as well, with the lone assist going to Burghart.

Finally, Mykula’s 19th of the season, unassisted, would round out the scoring with 5:45 to play.

The Tigers outshot the Huskies by a 37-26 margin, yet Tigers netminder Nate Immerkar made several key saves in the contest while earning the win.

Despite being a fairly chippy game, the only two minor penalties called went against the Huskies.

Tigers 3, Huskies 4 (OT)

Hitting the road with a chance to wrap up the consolation final, the Tigers scratched and clawed their way to as close as it gets, dropping an overtime thriller, forcing the winner-take-all final game.

The Tigers went down 2-0 just Zane Dyck and Mervyn Tanner beat Immerkar in the game’s opening nine minutes.

But, Tavy Boychuk’s second goal in as many games (assist to Baskier) and Rose (Boychuk Graham) scored less than three minutes apart, tying the game heading into the first intermission.

Tucker Thompson, another AP for the Tigers, scored his first in a high school uniform less than two minutes into the middle period, bringing visiting fans to their feet.

Graham, and Boychuk with his third point of the game, drew the assists on the Thompson marker.

When Brett Melnyk tied the game for the Huskies with 10:58 to play in the second period, no one would have guessed the score would stay tied for the next 30+ minutes.

It wasn’t until a Shayne Hutchings goal with 7:34 to play in the opening overtime period that a winner would be declared.

The Tigers were handed five of the game’s 11 minor penalties. The host Huskies outshot the Tigers by a 25-21 margin.

Huskies 3, Tigers 5

Getting over the disappointment of not wrapping the series up on Friday night in Hamiota, the Tigers came out a determined bunch in the winner-take-all game three.

After a scoreless opening 13 minutes, the two teams broke out for four goals in a span of just over two minutes.

Noah Weir’s 11th of the season (assists to Rose and Mykula) and Tavyn Boychuk’s fourth (assists to Graham and Jack Mullin) scored 13 seconds apart to give the host an instant 2-0 lead.

Just 35 seconds later, the Huskies cut the lead in half on a goal by Garrett Kent.

But with just under five minutes to play in the opening period, Rose, with an assist to Mykula, found the back of the net, giving the SVRSS a 3-1 lead going into the second period.

Mykula scored his 20th on the season at the 17:03 mark, giving the Tigers a comfortable 4-1 lead. The assists on the goal went to Henkelman.

The momentum that goal should have provided though was quickly lost when Mykula was called for boarding just 13 seconds later.

They may not have scored on the ensuing power play, but that penalty seemed to spark the visitors who started to tilt the ice.

Shortly after the penalty expired, Huskies captain Zane Dyck scored twice in a four minute span, cutting the Tigers lead to 4-3 with half a game to play.

The score stayed that way until Mykula iced the game away with his second of the contest with 7:31 to play. Nick Baskier and Chad Brightnose picked up the assists on the Tigers insurance goal.

Likely hoping to coast to the consolation championship, instead, all hell broke loose with 4:44 to play.

Boychuk who went hard to the net got banged in a collision with both the goalie and post. The Huskies came to the defence of their goalie and plenty of frustrations were taken out by both teams.

In the end though, the Tigers would hang on winning the game 5-3, and the WHSHL’s consolation side championship.

Nate Immerkar made 25 saves in the win while the Tigers fired 36 shots at Huskies goalie Sawyer Mitchell.

Of the 13 minor penalties called, the Tigers were given eight of them.

Tiger tails

The Tigers graduate a handful of players in goaltender Kristen Moshenko, defencemen Brittan Yaschyshyn and Chad Brightnose, along with forwards Nick Baskier and Kyle Graham... Both home games in the championship were very well attended, with crowds well in excess of 300 fans ... Tavyn Boychuk had to be taken to hospital after the late-game collision. No word on his condition as of press time.