- May 5, 2024
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John and Sheila McClennan have walked at all but seven of the United States capitals, so it’s safe to say they have some wear on their walking shoes.
The couple look forward to their walks as their own personal hobby. And they’ve turned that hobby into a community.
“Our goal is fun, fitness and friendship,” said John McClellan, president of Happy Wanderers. “We’re happy to have new people come, and we walk on Wednesday nights for free, but charge $3 on weekends. It’s affordable and we love to meet new people who love to do what we do.”
Happy Wanderers is a Port Orange-based walking club that arranges two walks a week to promote fitness and community in Volusia County. The club is affiliated with the American Volksport Association, and is one of 230 in the United States. The club has 122 members and is a registered non-profit, earning money to supply insurance to walkers.
Happy Wanderers hosts volksmarches, which are non-competitive and allow the walker to go at their own pace. Walks generally cover a distance of 10 kilometers (6.1 miles) over a circuitous route. A shorter route of 5 kilometers 3.1 miles) is available for the walker who thinks 10 km is a bit too much.
The club schedules walks as north as St. Augustine and as south as Cocoa Beach. The east coast of Florida is Happy Wanderers’ playground, and after 26 years as a club, it’s well worn.
McClellan has been fit since his days with the Army. Now retired, walking is McClellan’s safe haven, and it’s a time used to connect with his wife Sheila.
Sheila reflects on one of her walks through Newport, Connecticut. She notes how she noticed walking by a tree that had a subtle reminder to identify it as the location of the first shot of the Revolutionary War.
“It’s so cool because you can picture in your mind redcoats and the Revolutionary War and I can say that I was able to walk that,” Sheila McClellan said. “This club is just a great way to stay active and meet people, and obviously it’s a blessing to get to do that with John as well.”
And about those seven capitals? John and Sheila say they’ll get there.
They’re well aware that the journey is better than the destination, and no matter where that destination is, it’s a safe bet for the McClellans to find it as long as they keep walking.
“We have seven capitals left. Not only do I have a form of exercise that I can do as I grow older, I would have never gone to Pierre, South Dakota or Helena, Montana in my life and now I can say I have been to those places,” John McClellan said.
For more information, visit happywanderersfl.org.
