Escape “city life” for an afternoon or the whole day by walking or cycling on the Twin Rivers Trail along the American River to the Confluence with the Sacramento. This hidden gem, located within the River District, begins at North 12th street (on the east end). Additional access points for this continuous trail include Township 9 Park, Tiscornia Park and Robert T. Matsui Waterfront Park, home of the Hanami Line.
Find a “Sit Spot”
Many people feel sense of calm as they experience sights and sounds of the diverse wildlife, and the peaceful beauty of the American River as it flows toward the confluence with the Sacramento. Find a “sit spot” where you can sit to watch and listen to ducks, Canada Geese, Egrets, Great Blue Heron or gulls fly overhead, call, swim, and search for food at the river. Sit quietly at Tiscornia Park to search for roving seals enjoying their days splashing and diving.
If you have not yet engaged in a “mindful” walk to activate all your senses, you are missing a huge part of the outdoor experience. Twin Rivers Trails are an excellent, close and easy way to start. You can also expand your thinking even farther and consider what people walked here hundreds of years before you and your neighbors arrived? What do you think may have been important about the river to those early residents?
Mindfulness Walks
Mindfulness is intentionally activating our senses: being aware of our body, thoughts and feelings in the present moment as you walk on trails. What do you see? What do you hear? What scents fill the air? What do you feel on your skin? A cool breeze? Mist? We embrace experiences with curiosity, wonder and increased sensory awareness.
What mindfulness looks like:
- Seeing dew drops sparkling on grass
- Listening for the distant call of bird
- Searching for the smallest water splash as a hint that a seal, salmon or waterfowl are swimming or diving under the water.
- Noticing blooms on flowers and if they have a scent
- Feeling joyful as you watch, listen, or touch
- Mindfulness creates opportunities to adjust our behavior based on what we observe.
By Janice Kelley
