Every day in the Galapagos Islands brings new wonders. When you visit the Galapagos you will feel honored to spend time on these islands that are full of wildlife that has not yet learned to fear humans.

The Galapagos are a volcanic archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean approximately 600 miles west of the coast of Ecuador. There are 13 major islands and numerous small islands and islets. Each island is unique and all are spectacular in their own way.

The Islands are protected so you have guides that take you to the different Islands. Most travelers to the Galapagos choose to spend a week on a boat touring the islands. Boats of all sizes and shapes are available. Keep in mind that the water around the Galapagos can be choppy, the larger the boat the less likely that you will feel the motion of the boat.

Scientists have long known that walking and other light exercise is good for your heart, now they are finding out that it may be good for your brain as well.

A number of studies have come out in the past year that show a link between a lack of exercise and the onset of dementia.  Dementia may occur as the result of Alzheimer's disease as well as other diseases.

In a study of over 2,200 retired men between 71 and 93 years of age it was shown that those who walked less than a quarter of a mile per day were more likely to develop dementia than men who walked more than two miles per day.

Oregon Research Institute studied 108 people who were over 60 years of age for the health benefits of walking on cobblestones.  They came up with this wild idea after watching children and adults walking, exercising and dancing on cobblestone paths in China.

The Chinese believe that walking on cobblestones activates acupoints on the feet.  Acupressure and acupuncture specialists say that points on the feet, hands, ears and other areas of body relate to specific organs, flow of energy and functions of the body.  A trained practioner activates these points to improve the health of their patients.

For 16 weeks, the researchers studied this Chinese theory that cobblestone walking was good for health by having ½ of their subjects walk on cobblestones for exercise. These subjects wore socks or were barefoot on a specially designed cobblestone like surface for exercise. The control group walked on traditional walking paths.

Oregon Research Institute studied 108 people who were over 60 years of age for the health benefits of walking on cobblestones.  They came up with this wild idea after watching children and adults walking, exercising and dancing on cobblestone paths in China.

The Chinese believe that walking on cobblestones activates acupoints on the feet.  Acupressure and acupuncture specialists say that points on the feet, hands, ears and other areas of body relate to specific organs, flow of energy and functions of the body.  A trained practioner activates these points to improve the health of their patients.

For 16 weeks, the researchers studied this Chinese theory that cobblestone walking was good for health by having ½ of their subjects walk on cobblestones for exercise. These subjects wore socks or were barefoot on a specially designed cobblestone like surface for exercise. The control group walked on traditional walking paths.

Crossing great distances by foot was never something that caused anxiety for me growing up. I started running cross country in junior high school and would easily run five or ten miles in an afternoon.

I ran cross country in the fall, indoor track in the winter and spring track in the spring. During the summer, I ran an average of about seventy miles a week to stay in shape. I was co-captain of the Men’s track team and held the school record in the hurdles.