I have some good news for you. You don't always have to get out into the deep forest to find wonderful opportunities to hike. Sure, it's nice to take a weekend adventure to one of Arkansas's wonderful state parks, and this state certainly has some of the best. However, if we look even closer, there are some inventive ways to enjoy the outdoors.
My workday can be relatively monotonous at times. I come into work around 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and close up about 5:00 p.m. I spend a good bit of the day at my computer updating news, editing photos, and checking emails. This technology bubble I'm caught in can sometimes overwhelm me. While your day may be spent working in a shop, factory, farm, or like mine, at a computer, I'm sure we can all relate to that feeling of mental exhaustion at the end of a long day.
We need a break. We need fresh air. We need a little time to just breath in silence with our own thoughts. The problem is that we simply can't go hit a trail. Either they are too far away for a quick evening trip, or there aren't enough daylight hours remaining.
My remedy for this wanderlust is to simply take a walk around town. This time of year when the sun doesn't go down until late, I have plenty of time to go home and have dinner with my wife, and then still get outside for a little while. With my walking shoes on and my dog on his leash, we hit the sidewalks. I like to wait until the sun is just about to set. This time of year particularly, waiting till later in the evening is critical. I could probably handle the midday heat for a while, but it could be dangerous to push my dog in these mid-August temperatures. So to air on the side of caution, a late evening walk suits us both better. There's still enough sunlight to see to walk, but it's just not as intense.
Taking a walk around Warren can be a truly fun and relaxing experience if you make sure to tailor your route to the sites and sounds that make this little town a truly unique place. From the Donald W. Reynolds Warren YMCA baseball field to the Bradley County Courthouse and court square, Warren is a picturesque community. We, unfortunately, take it for granted at times, but it is something to be enjoyed.There isn't much like taking an evening stroll up the YMCA hill with a bright orange sunset blazing to the west. Suddenly the sounds of the Courthouse tower bell ring out as the new hour comes around.
A stroll down Main Street has become one of my favorite parts of my evening walk. Over the past few years, the downtown area has undergone somewhat of a facelift thanks to those involved with the group Make Warren Shine. Fresh flowers are often blooming and new businesses have livened the downtown scene. While there is more work to be done, Warren's Main Street makes for a terrific and easy evening stroll. If you like morning walks, you can stop by Taste and See Bakery along the route and have your morning sweet-tooth satisfied.
Warren's entire downtown, not just Main Street, is for the most part very walkable. With the addition over the years of the City Park walking track, the center of town is well connected and ideal for those looking for a quick walk. From almost any residential area, downtown is well within walking distance.
Several downtown historical attractions to see include the old Pastime theater, the Bradley County Museum, the Bradley County Veterans Museum, and the train depot, which is currently undergoing a long-term renovation.
Our family's most enjoyable activity to undertake while walking downtown Warren is to picnic. Typically we like to take a walk to one of our local restaurants, pick up a light dinner, and take a short hike to either the Warren City Park or Main Street.
The City Park offers numerous picnic tables for having a meal, but my favorite place to go chow-down is a little further back in the Park. Have a seat right in the grass, or bring a blanket if you are feeling a little less adventurous, and enjoy your food under the cool shade of the Park's pines and oaks. It's a great spot not only for picnics and walking but also for bird watchers.
While not an official park, the little picnic area that Make Warren Shine has developed on Main Street at the corner of Main and Cypress is another favorite spot for our family to picnic. During the late evening, you can get some spectacular sunset views from that vantage point. You might even see a few deer! Yes, there have been deer sighted in this very area.
So hit the trail, the local trail I mean. Enjoy the sites and sounds of downtown Warren.
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