Mention exercise to people and many will sigh or wrinkle their nose. The thought of going to a gym and lifting weights or getting on the treadmill just doesn’t do it for them. It’s tedious, boring and costly, they’ll say. But not so with walking. Turns out that walking is as good, if not better in many ways, than working out at the gym. That makes Walkabout International a star. Based in Liberty Station, the organization is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, with the headliner event coming up on Saturday, Nov. 11 at the McMillin Event Center. Susan Taylor, former award-winning NBC news anchor, will be master of ceremonies for the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. The Talk-the-Talk portion of the event will run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Walk-the-Walk part will run an hour from 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. when people can choose one of the differently paced one-hour scenic discovery ambles, led by a Walkabout member.
The free open-to-all festival celebrating the wonders of walking will feature keynote speakers, including Scripps Health cardiologist Dr. Poulina Uddin, Maggie Spilner, the walking editor and director of the Prevention Magazine Walking Club, and Roberta and Martha Manning, the authors of “Walking Distance: Extraordinary Hikes for Ordinary People.” If you’re not convinced of the joys and benefits of walking after the event, the enthusiasm and friendliness of the Walkabouters is sure to win you over.
Since its inception in 1977 – even before everyone was in on the fitness craze –Walkabout International has conducted more than 25,000 walks covering more than two million miles. An all-volunteer nonprofit, Walkabout International is the go-to place for getting to know San Diego neighborhoods. Every corner, nook and cranny of San Diego has been explored on their walks. But the members are not limited to San Diego County. The volunteer board of directors create walks and special trips throughout the Southwest, the United States and all over the world. There are no dues or fees for membership, but a mere $20 per year provides a monthly bulletin outlining all of the walks, trips and special events that the organization offers. Members who pay the subscription can get their names on the list for the special trips. Walkabout International members have formed life-long friendships over the years, even a few marriages.
Long-time member Stan Follis, former president and vice president of WI, began walking in 1980. That is how he met his late second wife. Follis has also put together some adventurous walks throughout the years. He led a walk a few years ago starting at Sunset Cliffs and Point Loma Avenue.
“We walked along the cliffs to Osprey Street and then back on the sidewalks. It did not last very long, so I picked up Pat Peterson’s walk in Mission Hills when she realized that she would not be able to continue. I believe that is one of the longest running walks in Walkabout.
“I would still like to do the Sunset Cliffs walk again sometime,” he said. Another longtime member Teri Egenberger, who moved to San Diego in 1987, went on her first jaunt with Walkabout in 1988.
“Although at that time of my life, other entertainment took preference, that original experience prodded me to join Walkabout whole-heartedly just a couple of years later. And I’ve been walking with them ever since,” Egenberger said.
“It is a fantastic way to learn one’s way around San Diego, leading you into interesting areas off the beaten track.  It’s also a fun way to add a little healthy exercise to your life,” she said.
“For me, my Walkabout friends have formed the basis of an extended family.  Most of my friends are in Walkabout, and we celebrate each other’s birthdays, holidays and other family events,” Walkabout member Dan Haslam said.
Haslam, who has served as vice president of the group for several years, chose Walkabout over several other walking groups in San Diego. “Many of our people dance to the beat of a different drummer. I like our diversity,” Haslam said.
Go to the Joys of Walking event and you might just find yourself picking up a good new habit that will work wonders for the body and soul.