At the Trailhead, The Origin of "While on a Walk"

Cathedral Rock Nature Park

July 22, 2011

Following is the initial post that began this blog. I am setting it up as a separate page because early posts tend to get buried as new posts are added. I think it is important that this post remain more accessible to new viewers as it explains the basis for all the posts that have followed it:

"I would like to begin this blog with a brief description of what you can expect to see when you visit While on a Walk. Unless I become particularly inspired to express myself through the medium of writing, which I have been known to do at times, this will primarily be a photoblog with just enough text to place the photos in a specific context. The photos can speak for themselves.

"While on a Walk is being given birth as the result of the convergence of a necessity with an opportunity. Due to a complex medical situation, it is critically important I maintain the highest level of physical conditioning possible. I greatly dislike being inside for extended periods of time and, therefore, have no desire to work out in a gym type setting. I will always gravitate to an outdoor setting whenever weather permits. I have always loved to walk, although I now have to walk using forearm crutches. Sometime in the near future, I intend to resume canoeing, something I haven't done in a very long time.

"San Antonio and the surrounding area are blessed with excellent green space areas with natural beauty in great abundance. Over the past decade, the city has invested in the development of linear greenways along all the principle waterways that flow through it, including Leon Creek, the Medina River and Salado Creek.  When this greenway project is complete, it will include more than thirty-seven miles of trails. The city in conjunction with the San Antonio River Authority is also in the process of expanding accessibility to the green space along the San Antonio River. When complete, there will be a seventeen mile long trail from Hildebrand Avenue at Brackenridge Park to Espada Mission south of Loop 410.

"I intend to spend time beginning with an hour or two, three days a week exploring these remarkable urban woods and waterways, photographing as I go. As I state in the mission statement for this blog:

The photographs in this project are about the sky, the earth, the plants and animals, and about the experience of being in their presence, the experience of their spirit, the experience of wonder and awe and delight. They are intended to be catalysts for contemplation, for leaving oneself open to allow wonder and delight to take hold and mature. In the tormented, torn world we live in, this project is a testament to the power of the human spirit to find delight in God’s awesome creation and to communicate that delight to others, to share in the discourse of revelation and healing.

"Photography and writing are about sharing. As a matter of fact, the act of sharing one person with another, the giving and receiving, is the value, the very essence of the photograph and the text. With that thought in mind, feel free to leave your response to the posts in this blog in the comments. I look forward  to this process of sharing."

If you are not comfortable or do not wish to post a comment, please feel free to send an email: dhewers@gmail.com.

Update: September 25, 2013

Life is dynamic requiring constant adjustment and adaptation. In the two years, four months since beginning to publish While on a Walk, I have taken on much more to keep me physically active and creatively occupied. For more information on this, see the post: "Changes in Direction and Pace; A Long Awaited Announcement" published on Sunday, September 15, 2013.