“Not able to perceive beauty, but with a gentle heart” Naturalist and writer Henry David Thoreau once pointed out.
Presque Isle State Park is a place to stop and drink in natural beauty.
Have you ever seen the sunrise across the waters of the Gulf while walking down Presque Isle? This simple gift of nature offers a blessing of peace and tranquility. Morning colors can run from combinations of shades of blue, orange, red and even gold, purple and gray.In the morning as I write, the water in Presque Isle his bay is unusually flat and mirror-like It projects an image onto a smooth surface.
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A graceful Great Blue Heron beats the low trail across the still water near Feather Platform. Its reflection looks like the letter “W” on the water. These majestic birds are abundant in the park and can be seen fishing in the bay shallows, ponds and lagoons.
Here in northwest Pennsylvania, Presque Isle is fortunate to stand as a place where flora and fauna coexist. A walk is still the best way to enjoy the park. It offers visitors one of the best ways to experience the natural world while engaging in one of the best aerobic exercises. A 90-minute walk provides the same aerobic benefits as a 30-minute run, but with less stress on your joints and less chance of injury.
start your walking journey
Visitors enjoy the park by walking seven miles of sandy beaches and more than 30 miles of multi-use and woodland trails. How can I start walking for exercise? One of the most important things to start with is your mental attitude. The hardest part is starting and making a determined effort to follow through. Walk alone, with friends or in groups.
Beginners should consider starting with a leisurely walk on the multi-use trails near the Vista 1 or 2 car parks. Over time, you can gradually transition to longer, faster, more challenging walks, and eventually some forest trails. Your legs, lungs, and heart will always tell you the right pace. you’ll notice. In practice, it’s usually a good idea to slow down and maintain a steady pace for longer periods of time. Then your long-term enjoyment becomes much more important.
You’ll also find that walking provides time away from today’s hectic lifestyle and daily breaking news. Once you get started, you’ll want to get out and explore Presque Island right away. Learn to love the solitude, peace and rhythm of walking in nature.
Over the years, many people have found that walking around Presque Island in the morning makes difficult decisions seem easy. Part of the reason, they believe, is that the sounds, colors and smells of nature bring the senses to life. Would you like to go out for a morning walk with us?
“An early morning walk is the blessing of the day.”–Henry David Thoreau.
See you in the park!
Gene Ware is the author of ten books. He serves on the board of the Presque Isle Light Station and is the former chairman of the Tom Ridge Center Foundation and the Presque Isle Partnership.send him an e-mail [email protected].
