Email this page
Print this page
Comments
FeedWalking the Talk
Earth Day walk from Encinitas to Balboa Park raises awareness for the environment
In 2007, Encinitas resident Bob Nanninga, a former columnist for The Coast News and ardent environmental activist (he also co-owned the green-certified E Street Café), wrote about his experience at Balboa Park’s annual Earth Day fair, billed by organizers as “the world’s largest annual environmental fair and Earth Day Celebration.”
An excerpt:
By mid-afternoon the glamour of Earth Day had been worn away by the river of humanity meandering down the Prado. Tired, sun-baked, and fresh off my global-warming soapbox, I wondered if any of it really mattered. Where was the edge? Did any of this make a difference? Was I just too jaded to enjoy the day? Why wasn’t this the inspirational challenge it used to be?
Well, as if on cue, inspiration showed up in the form of Sofia Beeson and Spencer Sampson, two Encinitas residents who walked to the San Diego Earth Fair from Encinitas. Leaving at 4 in the morning and arriving at 3:30 p.m., these young 20-somethings walked the 30 miles with an “Earth Day or Bust” sign on Sophia’s back. Spencer carried their day pack.
Finally a connection.
Both were beaming with accomplishment. I was humbled by their example, as were my colleagues, and anyone else who has heard of their epic undertaking.
Nanninga passed away in February. He was just 45.
Sofia Beeson plans to carry on his walk-the-talk environmental ethos this Earth Day, April 19, when she’ll again make the Encinitas-Balboa Park trek by foot. She’s gathered sponsors and invites the entire San Diego community to join her for the second edition of Walk Lightly Now.
“The walk is not only in commemoration of Bob and what inspired him — seeing people take tangible steps to show their concern about the environment — but also to make a statement that the environmental lifestyle extends beyond an Earth Day fair,” says Beeson.
The walk will begin at midnight at Yoga Swami in Encinitas (912 South Coast Highway 101). Participants can either walk the full 27 miles or join in anywhere along the route. Each registered participant gets a t-shirt (organic, of course) and an açai bowl from Mozy Cafe upon arrival at EarthFair (around 9 a.m.).
To register (it’s free), visit walklightlynow.org.
Do you like what you read? Subscribe to San Diego Magazine »
Comments posted here do not necessarily reflect the views of the byline author or San Diego Magazine. Keep your comments civil, stay on the topic and your posts will remain online. Comments that use foul language, ethnic slurs or sexually suggestive language will be deleted. Posters who continually harass others or disobey the rules will be banned permanently from commenting on this Web site.
Reader Comments:
The walk will now begin in Encinitas at E Street Cafe at the same time. See website for more details!
Thank you!
This will be my first Earth Day and we are anxious to participate with our Organoderm Skin Care line to expose as many people as possible to its benefits not only for the skin but to the earth. I will just mention the latter. The products, first of all, have a NEGATIVE CARBON FOOTPRINT. That is unheard of in the personal care industry. The containers/caps/labels are fully recyclable with no extraneous packaging. They are also super-sized compared to most other products. When you finish replenishing your skin, you download a label from our website(www.organoderm.com)affix it and put it in a mailbox and it is sent to our recycling facility at OUR cost!!! You have helped the earth and also your skin for our products contain NO HARMFUL or even synthetic ingredients so they are safe and healthy for everyone including kids/moms to be! We look forward to participating and seeing you all. PLease stop by at ElPrado West, Booth 114!