Location is everything

Last week I made an offer on a townhouse. If the inspection is favorable tomorrow, I expect to settle on the property before the end of February.

The townhouse has an excellent location. To the west, a spacious city park (shown above) is close by. I counted off a mere 150 steps today as I walked from the townhouse stairs to the edge of the park. To the east, a 12 minute walk takes me to the state reservoir with its acres of adjoining woods and meadows. I have spent many hours walking the nature trails there. In my view, there is nothing so soothing to the nerves as a quiet stroll through the woods. Henry David Thoreau was of the same opinion concerning walking's therapeutic effects. From his essay Walking:

"I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits unless I spend four hours a day at least — and it is commonly more than that — sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields absolutely free from all worldly engagements. You may safely say a penny for your thoughts, or a thousand pounds. When sometimes I am reminded that the mechanics and shop-keepers stay in their shops not only all the forenoon, but all the afternoon too, sitting with crossed legs, so many of them — as if the legs were made to sit upon, and not to stand or walk upon — I think that they deserve some credit for not having all committed suicide long ago."