A woman walks her dog past the cherry trees in bloom Saturday along Grand Avenue Parkin Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

A woman walks her dog past the cherry trees in bloom Saturday along Grand Avenue Parkin Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Staying home without gyms means we should all tour the ’hood

To stay active, stroll or roll around your neighborhood, pick up trash, and fight your sweet tooth.

I have a confession that riles up my own sense of environmental justice and urban living pride.

I deeply, really, truly despise walking.

Ever seen a child or toddler pouting about walking? Inside, that’s me a lot of the time.

If socially acceptable (not to mention safe) to roller skate everywhere, I would. Trip to the corner store for a snack? Sure. Going from my couch to the kitchen? Why not?

Shoot, if I weren’t so self-conscious and it didn’t violate work rules, I’d pop on some Heelys , those shoes with little wheels in the heels that are popular with children. I could cruise from my desk to the kitchen at the office, roll to the copier and maybe spin around the weird load-bearing post in the middle of the newsroom.

Of course, that was back when I was working in the newsroom instead of my living room.

Many of us are staying home so people can provide health care, tend to children, stock grocery shelves, operate transit and efficiently deal with the coronavirus.

A view of I-5 northbound and southbound lanes from 23rd Street at 4 p.m. Saturday in Everett. Usually northbound traffic backs up in the area, but has been devoid of vehicles lately while people stay home because of the new coronavirus and its disease COVID-19. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

A view of I-5 northbound and southbound lanes from 23rd Street at 4 p.m. Saturday in Everett. Usually northbound traffic backs up in the area, but has been devoid of vehicles lately while people stay home because of the new coronavirus and its disease COVID-19. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Starting a couple of weeks ago, traffic seemingly vanished around Seattle. In a Washington State Department of Transportation blog, DiAngelea Miller wrote that traffic volumes from Everett to Northgate were down 30% compared to February. The morning commute change was more dramatic, with traffic volumes down by 41% as of March 10.

That dropoff is evident for anyone still driving on I-5, or who sees normally bumper-to-taillight traffic replaced with mostly empty pavement.

On a recent bike ride around north Everett, I pedaled across I-5 on 23rd Street. Usually the stretch of freeway is congested as vehicles lose a lane to the exit-only ramp to Marine View Drive en route to Marysville, Tulalip, Arlington and other parts north. But they were few and far between.

The Cook family plays bump Saturday during their “daily P.E class” that they do as a family to get out of the house in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

The Cook family plays bump Saturday during their “daily P.E class” that they do as a family to get out of the house in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

But with gyms and fitness centers closed, my healthy routine of twice-a-week basketball is dunked. The temperatures lately aren’t compelling me to hop on my bike because I am a fair-weather cyclist (you can catch me cruising between June and August).

Instead, I take little strolls around my neighborhood in Everett. It’s a pleasant way to get out of the house and adhere to social distancing.

Walking also is a reminder of the privilege of doing so, and that not every space is built to suit people with mobility restrictions.

Health experts say walking is a good, low-impact way to stay active. It lowers the chance of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. Even before the stay-home order it was considered the most popular aerobic activity with 60% of American adults walking at least 10 minutes in a week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

One of the most personally relevant walking-related health tips came from Harvard Medical School, which found that it curbs a sweet tooth, of which I am astoundingly guilty of having.

With the sudden heap of time, I amble along the sidewalks and listen to music or a shameful backlog of podcasts. I’m going to start taking a little bag with me for trash, and I’m starting to see how “plogging,” a trend among joggers who pick up garbage as they go, can become so enticing. The cherry blossoms and other flowers, trees and shrubs in bloom are a welcome jolt of color and fragrance.

Even though I find my struts a nice respite from the doldrums, I’m still itching to lace up my skates to the corner store for a treat.

How are you passing the time and staying active?

Have a question? Email streetsmarts@heraldnet.com. Please include your first and last name and city of residence.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.