So I’m walking along the road the other day when this bear pops out of the woods. It seemed surprised to see me. I know I was surprised to see it.

Though he (or she — we never really became acquainted) was not a BIG bear, he or she was certainly big enough to maul me, so I froze in my tracks. After its initial startled glance, the bear looked neither right nor left, but headed off at a trot. I went the other direction, also at a trot.

Adrenaline boosts such as this are just one reason why I love to take walks. I may claim it’s for exercise, but, really, I wouldn’t do it if it didn’t feed my soul. That sounds very corny, but sometimes the truth comes on a cob.

Kingston and its neighboring environs are the most beautiful place in the world; don’t bother to deny it. If you live here, and I know you do, I highly recommend that you put on your Stride Rites and stretch your legs. Stick to the side roads or the local trails, take a friend or go it alone, grab an umbrella if necessary, and see if a half-hour or so on foot doesn’t make you glad to be alive.

If you’re the gregarious type, go ahead and give the passing cars a smile or wave, especially if the occupants are likely to be your neighbors. Personally, I’m of two minds about this. First of all, I like to be friendly. On the other hand, I’m not good at recognizing cars nor seeing through windshields, so usually I wait until I see a hand waving at me before returning the greeting. If I’m lost in thought or in a book-on-tape, I don’t mean to ignore you.

My reluctance to wave indiscriminately also stems from the time I gave a cheery salute to a car which turned out to be full of high-spirited teenagers. When they came back down the road, they apparently felt they’d made a new friend because every occupant of the car (including the driver) was hanging out of a window, waving both hands (including the driver) shouting encouragement. At least, I choose to believe it was encouragement; it’s hard to judge when the vehicle is breaking the sound barrier.

When walking, I prefer wildlife of the non-human variety. My happiest moments are catching sight of otters playing in the pond, a hawk swooping after prey in the meadow, or bats shimmering in the summer twilight. One time, the two cutest raccoon cubs you can imagine were preparing to climb a tree. I would have given them a good cuddle, except they would have gouged out my eyes with their cunning little fingers.

This spring my son and I chanced upon an infant fawn, still at the if-I-don’t-move-you-can’t-see-me stage, lying in plain sight in the middle of a driveway.

Bring along a field guide and ID the native trees and flowers. Listen to music (especially if you want to pick up the pace). Gorge yourself on blackberries, or apples from a long-abandoned roadside orchard. Use the time to make your four-legged pal happy, or to connect with someone who deserves more of your time.

If you’re at all able, walking the Kingston countryside is a truly happy habit. Isn’t it time to hit the road?