“Linda and I started meeting in the mornings, walking while the kids were still asleep. Then we would go home and put them on the bus. Eventually we decided to try a weekend walk with the kids. Since we live right off the Appalachian Trail, we decided to start there and take the kids on an overnight backpacking trip. The next year we went alone. And that was the beginning of 20 years of walking and friendship. We’ve covered about 900 miles of the Trail and every subject under the sun. Our friendship has seen us through raising children, losing husbands and welcoming grandchildren. There were no problems we couldn’t solve by walking and talking it out. We may have even lost a little weight along the way, or not”. — Jackie, 67

My husband had always wanted to walk in the morning, but when I had to leave the house for work at 7:30, I wasn’t willing to give up my coffee and paper. When I retired, I had no excuse. We are up and out of the house by 6:15 every morning and take a beautiful walk along the Chesapeake Bay. We’ve watched breath taking sunrises spreading across the sky, experienced perfect still mornings, and battled strong winds and white caps. One of the best parts for me is getting to know the community of walkers that we encounter. We “see” each other in defiance of the way older people frequently become invisible to others.” — Sherrod, 68

A health matter kept me bedridden for four years. My FitBit reminded me of how little I was moving, which encouraged me to make at least one step, and that has grown to 2,000 steps a day. Now it has made me strong enough to add lunch with a friend to my schedule. Tiny steps, gentle motivators.” — Nilmini, 54

“My daughter and I ‘take a walk’ together many days a week, even though we are miles apart. We talk on the telephone while I walk my 30 minutes or more every morning, and she takes care of five dogs at her home. When I am in Florida for the winter, it is especially nice as I walk on the beach with the birds.” — Betty, 85