Some of this virtual travelling has happened as Lyle and I look over old photos, but in August, our friend Marguerite suggested that I might like to combine my urge to travel with a fitness program. She suggested a website that she had found quite motivating. I decided to give it a try. On September 1, I set out on a virtual walking trek along the Great Ocean Road in Australia.
There were numerous walks suggested on the particular website that I investigated. I chose the Great Ocean Road for two reasons. First, at 149 miles, it was one of the shorter walks, and I wasn’t exactly sure how long it would take me to complete even that distance. Secondly, several years ago, Lyle and I had driven the Great Ocean Road and I thought it would be a good opportunity to revisit the area.
I found the virtual experience both motivating and disappointing, but first let me explain how the site worked. There is a registration fee and a promise of a medal when the walk is completed. At the end of each day, I recorded the distance I had walked. There was a map on the site where I could see my progress. At least, Lyle could see this and explain it to me. There was also a temperature check in the area and a global satellite picture. This latter was the part I found disappointing.
The satellite picture showed my position on the highway and a little bit of the area on each side of the road. It was as I progressed on my virtual walk that I remembered the real time driving experience. Lyle and I had taken several days to complete the distance and in that time took numerous side treks off the main highway. This was where we encountered the spectacular ocean views. It was where we saw the eroding rock formations of the Twelve Apostles and walked among the trees of the national park. These natural wonders were indeed wonderful, but to just drive along the highway without the additional excursions, there wasn’t much to see. This memory was reinforced with my virtual walk which led me only along the main highway.
The motivational part was recording my steps. Initially I had thought that it might take me three or four months to complete my walk, but I completed it in just two. I walked in our neighbourhood for a little each day and it was surprising how the miles added up.
I have been inspired by my success and have now registered with a second walk. Currently, I am walking from Mt. Cook in New Zealand to Christchurch. It is labelled the Alps to Ocean walk. My first satellite picture actually showed my location as being on a glacier and I think that I am going to find the scenery much more interesting. Several years ago, Lyle and I also drove this route so I have some idea of what to expect.
Certainly I’m not as ambitious as our friend, Marguerite. Marguerite has already completed a couple of walks and currently is chalking up the miles on her spin bike as she makes her way around the ring road in Iceland – a distance of more than 800 miles. For the time being, I will just continue to enjoy the shorter walks.
I’m sure that there are several web sites that offer virtual walks and travel adventures. If you are interested, the one I am using is:
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