During this stressful time of quarantine, my mother has suffered from high blood pressure and cabin fever--two things that don't mix well. I didn't realize the severity of her health issues until we tried to walk around the lake at her apartment complex, a walk we had done many, many times before, and realized that she could hardly make it around anymore. Everything on the walk felt like a danger. I documented those dangers--and my fear for her-- in this map.

During quarantine this past summer we would take long walks thru our neighborhood. We love exploring so close to home and finding new things. This was my very first attempt to create a map.

A map of the Appalachian Trail, with sections spanning several states across the Eastern United States.

Clay Myers State Natural Area is one of my favorite places. A Pacific Northwest wonderland!

Here are a few of my favorite restaurants and cafes in the charming Bishop Arts District-- a historical shopping and entertainment district located in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. This area only spans a few blocks, so it makes a perfect spot for an afternoon stroll in the city!

As a family of 5, we love exploring all of the local (and not so local) outdoor hiking opportunities in and around Illinois with our girls. Spring Valley in Schaumburg, Illinois hits all the buttons for us: epic play area, prairies and trails lined with blackberry and black raspberry bushes in June and July, an awesome Nature Center, covered picnic areas, a heritage farmstead with animals and BONUS-- it is all FREE to explore and enjoy.

This is based on the walk I planned for our 3 day Chicago trip and this map shows the walking tour we did on one of the days.

Every Sunday is a great adventure for the little twins! After a while exploring and discovering Sherbrooke's downtown, they defined an amazing circuit with incredible stops. As a token of their gratitude for this adventurous walk, they have added two stops specially for their parents. It can be a challenging walk, but at the same time very pleasant for the whole family. The twins highly recommend it!

So fortunate to have so many amazing animal friends close by! Cow therapy really does wonders for the soul! ❤️
(If you can avoid the drool!)

Maybe I shouldn’t give away our little secret, but my home town of Fort Collins Colorado is a little jewel nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Our vibrant downtown is a great place to wander. Fort Collins is said to be one of the inspirations for Main Street Disneyland and you can feel the magic when you are here. Little shops, awesome restaurants, and street performers provide dynamic entertainment. Minutes away you can be connected to the Poudre River or extensive bike paths.

Taking a walk in my neighborhood I come upon the Linkville Trail. It is a nice place to watch for birds and this map shows a few that you might encounter!

Where we walk - I spend almost everyday walking all around my garden. There is always something new to see. I check for newly emerging plants, things ready to bloom, even for insect or animal damage. I see all the interesting tasks I need to do. Walking all around there brings such joy!

Coyoacán is one of the loveliest neighborhoods in Mexico City. Its small town vibe makes it a great place to go on a date and have ice-cream, churros, coffee, or even cartoon pancakes! Start your walk in Francisco Sosa street, and cross the arch to enter Jardín Centenario. See the fountains and kiosk in Plaza Hidalgo, then continue until you reach La Conchita church and Frida Kahlo Park. Buy books at Elena Garro Cultural Center and visit Coyoacán's huge market. You can finish at Frida Kahlo's house or in the beautiful park Viveros.

My favorite walking route is along Altamont Road, which sits atop the crest of Red Mountain and provides some of the best views in Birmingham. The majority of the road runs through Altamont Park, an undeveloped green space that, oddly, houses a WW1 cannon (topic for another time). Just past the cannon the sidewalk begins, passing by diverse, interesting houses - some hanging off the side of the mountain and others perched halfway down. Each one exhibits a different style, vibe and era, and I’ve included some of my favorites in this illustration. Throughout the mile-long walk, I enjoy gazing at the beautiful cityscape vistas of downtown Birmingham.

For this illustration theme, I chose one of my favorite walks in Griffith Park, Los Angeles. From the Greek Theater, at the base, this is a short and mellow walk to the Observatory’s deck, where beautiful panoramic views of the city await you. For a much longer jaunt, you can continue walking towards the famous Hollywood Sign or simply explore any of the countless trails that Griffith Park has to offer.
This gem settles in the city’s heart, with astounding nature and local fauna. If you go in the late afternoon, falcons, coyotes, deers, and even mountain lions might say hi!