Foot travel by choice

Foot travel by choice

Braving the elements draws Hershey pedestrian closer to nature

By Tyler Frantz

Work commutes can sometimes get interesting in the wintertime. With high winds, drifting snow and subfreezing temperatures, traversing local roadways can become a downright harrowing experience. Lately, just stepping outside in the frigid air to warm up the truck has been daunting.

But despite this year’s record-breaking low temperatures and extreme arctic wind chills, Hershey native Ray Deimler has never wavered from his unconventional travel routine. For approximately ten years, the Hershey Med employee has been walking to and from his job every day- rain, snow or shine- by choice.  

Covering a distance just shy of 1 mile each direction, 56-year-old Deimler appears to be in better shape than most 20-somethings. He often even doubles his daily walking mileage by joining co-workers for lunch at local dining establishments situated an equal distance away.  

When asked why he does it, he says simply being outside to enjoy all that nature has to offer is the number one reason.

“I would put the outdoor experience at the top of the list,” says Deimler. “The health aspect and economic impact become an added benefit, but are not top of mind for me. I have always been active with outdoor activities- biking, hiking, etc., so just being outside is a big part of it.”

“I’ve been walking to required destinations most of my life, starting with my elementary school up to 11^th grade in high school. My parents, who also embraced outdoor life, strategically chose our residence within walking distance to the school I would attend and their work place as well. This was the genesis of my occasionally challenging walking experiences.”

Despite the challenge of toughing out nature’s elements, Deimler claims the experience has opened his eyes to things he’d otherwise miss by being confined to an automobile.

“When walking, the exploring experience becomes “ground level.” This increases the things you sense and magnifies the experience. If you are traveling by vehicle you sometimes do not experience the nuances due to the speed at which you are traveling and the physical barrier of the vehicle,” Deimler explains.

“It seems that every day during my walk I see some amazing demonstration of nature. It can be as simple as tiny sparrows hunkering down in small recesses in the snow when the temperature is -2 F with a 30 mph wind, or a little fox that cautiously shadowed me for weeks at a time.”

“At certain times of the year, there are large numbers of geese, which can be as close as a couple feet away that are resting and foraging for food with the ever vigilant guard goose watching my progress.”

“The crow population has become so comfortable with my passing that they follow me from light pole to light pole incessantly chattering at me. Sometimes, there are tiny birds that fly in front of me, continually landing right in my path, almost as if they are looking for a food handout. It’s like they’ve accepted me as one of their own.”

But the simple pleasantries of nature come with a price, and Deimler has had to adapt to whatever elements the weather throws at him. He says that being properly equipped with appropriate gear is a must.

“The past few days of record breaking cold have been some of the most extreme conditions I’ve ever faced,” he says. “If you leave any exposed skin, you can appreciate all the warnings posted about frostbite- although, with the proper gear and preparation, it is not unbearable.”

“Understanding the forecasted weather would be at the top of the priority list. The type of outerwear, shoes, and accessories I select is reflective of the forecast and has evolved over the years of walking. I have discovered lightweight gear that works well in all the intended conditions.”

“I’ve tried a lot of hiking boots and place a high priority on construction (i.e. metal lace grommets/lugs are a must, as are leather outers and waterproofing). I replace my boots every six months, and I never walk in my dress shoes, as they would wear out quickly.”

“A low cost backpack with an Internet-purchased rain cover has served me well for many years. My gloves are lighter weight and my hands are rarely cold. The jacket I use for cold temps (45 degrees F or lower) is a Zero Extreme four-way stretch Gore-tex snowboard jacket, and it has been one of the best outdoor investments I’ve made.”

“In extreme cases, I have Yukon Jack snowshoes for deeper snow, and I also use the YAKTRAX Pro Traction System for icy conditions. Something I would not have wanted to be without in the extreme cold is a Polar Fleece heavyweight hood mask with a drawstring. This has been crucial in keeping the wind off my face when used in conjunction with my coat hood.”

To Deimler, the walking experience serves as a constant reminder that he can achieve things that sometimes seem out of reach for many people. Perhaps the only obstacle is the fear of things that are challenging or uncomfortable, but in overcoming them, one’s eyes are opened to a whole new world of wonder.

“When the artist Andrew Wyeth was interviewed, he shared a story about his childhood that contributed to the amazing level of detail and emotion in his artwork,” Deimler elaborates in a unique connection to the primary reason for his walking.

“When growing up, his father suggested he not only look at a tree from a distance, but that he would also get extremely close to the tree so he could see every intimate detail, even down to the ants that inhabited the tree. He suggested that this is the level of detail needed to start to understand nature and to be able to accurately portray it as art.”

“This is what walking can bring to something even as mundane as traveling to work,” Deimler says. “You experience everything- the bitter cold and the extreme heat. Sometimes a bit uncomfortably, you are reminded that you are alive and you're grateful for it.”

For more great writing and video work by outdoors freelancer, Tyler Frantz, visit www.naturalpursuitoutdoors.com. Also, please LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!    

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