You've heard the statement, “It's one third inspiration and two thirds perspiration.” That applies to many things in life, particularly exercise. At this time of year, when skies are gray, schedules are full and energy levels often low, that one third of “inspiration” may be the most important part of a physical activity program.

Inspiration can come from many directions. Perhaps a glance through the photo album at our graduation picture can do the trick. Looking at that trim young person we once were is enough to get us to start cutting calories and join a fitness club. For others being part of a group does it. We tell ourselves, “Well, if Karla and Pete can get to class today, so can I!”

For the nature buffs there can be other inspirations to turn off the computer and get moving. If fishing is our love, trying a new mountain lake can draw us. If it's snowboarding, the first snow of winter can galvanize us into action.

For someone like myself, who loves to walk outdoors, a rainy day can get me up and out. Remembering the smell of autumn leaves under foot, or the desire to stroll under a forest canopy on a wet day, can inspire me to bundle up and get out of the house.

I think I am not alone in this. In a recent conversation, the point was brought up that for generations our ancestors were forest people, who drew their sustenance from the woods and lived among the trees. It was a remark made by Larry Daloz, Associate Director of the Whidbey Institute. I was lucky enough to have the chance to ask him some questions on a recent September morning.

Elaine: Larry, thanks for talking with me today. I have heard that you spent some time at Thoreau’s Walden Pond and are familiar with the eastern forests as well as the western woods.

Larry: Yes, I grew up a bike ride from Walden Pond outside of Boston and I rode my bike right past there a lot as a kid. As a result, I know the eastern hardwood forest of oak, birch, maple and ash very well.

I have a particular affection for the black birch as it has a very keen wintergreen taste in the sap. That flavor keeps the insects off, they hate it.

Elaine: How about Thoreau’s writing?

Larry: I read Thoreau in college and was fascinated by his essay called Walking. I've always loved the outdoors. My mother was a birder, and so I learned to recognize different birds from early on. Did you know that today there are more birders than golfers?

Elaine: No, I would not have guessed that! Will you tell us a little of your later life, for instance when you were college age?

Larry: I joined the Peace Corps after college and went to Nepal as one of the first volunteers in the early days of the Peace Corps. After returning from Nepal I got a Ph.D. from Harvard in Educational Development in Third World Countries. My wife and I lived in Vermont after graduation where I was the first Dean in what was then the new Vermont Community College System. I came to Whidbey Island in 1997 to be involved with the Whidbey Institute.

Elaine: I know you have been very involved with their woodland trails. In your opinion, why is the forest important, what does it give us?

Larry: I've always loved taking off and exploring the woods and forests around my home as a kid. For me Nature was always a friend—never something to be afraid of.

For me, and I think for many, there is a type of nourishment in the forest. Remember, for ninety-eight percent of our evolutionary history we were in the forest and water, so as a species we are hard wired for that. Living in civilization was much more recent.

Elaine: Have you done much hiking?

Larry: I grew up hiking in the White Mountains of northern new Hampshire. During high school a group of us went hiking together in the White Mountains, memorable trips!

Elaine: As part of what you do at the Whidbey Institute, I know you worked on the Interpretive Trails on the Chinook lands. What exactly does the term “Interpretive” mean in that setting?

Larry: Well, it is basically a fancy term for a Nature Trail. It can help people “interpret” or understand how the natural world works – they can learn to read Nature’s story. The material attempts to teach people how to learn to read the past and future that is right in front of our eyes in the present.

Elaine: I hear there is also a labyrinth there, and some people like to walk and meditate. Why would that be helpful or healthy?

Larry: One of the great challenges in our lives is our business (our busy-ness.) Our technology has sped up our lives to the point that we do not act with care, thoughtfulness or wisdom. The faster we go, the higher our stress level.

If we want to be wise, and not just clever, to live in the natural world without exploiting it, we must learn to slow down.

Elaine: And hiking, walking, getting out in nature will help us do that?

Larry: Yes. The connection between us and Nature is not a romantic notion. It is a matter of survival. As a species we are integrally connected to the natural world. So spending time in the natural world is as necessary to us as water to a fish and if we cut that off, ultimately we will die as a species.

I appreciated the wisdom of Larry’s words. There are probably as many inspirations to exercise as there are people out there exercising. But for those of us who enjoy our activity in the great outdoors, it is somewhat comforting to realize we may be part of a long tradition – that, for once, what’s good for us, and what we are programmed to do, is exactly what we should be doing!

Article was written by Elaine Woods of Whidbey Walks. For more information on the trails at Chinook, or the Whidbey Institute please visit www.whidbeyinstitute.org. For more information on WHIM go to www.whidbeyinmotion.org