To some people, walking is drudgery. Putting one foot in front of the other again and again and again is unthinkable. And to do this unending toil outdoors, away from the comforts of TV and PC, is too horrid to contemplate.

But Oak Harbor resident Curt Myron practically lives to walk.

“I enjoy being out of doors and I enjoy meeting people,” he said.

Myron is a devoted volksmarcher. Thousands of people around the world spend their free time volksmarching, volksskiing, volkskating and enjoying many other outdoor sports. This weekend, local volkssporting club NW Tulip Trekkers and a club from Port Townsend are hosting “Walk Both Sides” days. Trails will be marked on the Olympic Peninsula and Whidbey Island for people to stroll at their leisure or ramble briskly.

“Volkssporting is noncompetitive. It’s just for people to enjoy,” Myron said. “And the price is right. It’s free.”

Myron said scenery is a big requirement for trails. The Whidbey walks will start within a hundred feet of the Keystone Ferry ticketbooth and will wind through Fort Casey and Camp Casey Conference Center.

“Walkers can see water, mountains, big trees and wildlife,” Myron said. “And meet new people.”

Myron calls himself a “cheerleader” for walking. As the northwest regional director of American Volkssporting Association, Myron is in charge of certifiying and promoting walks in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska. While he won’t be able to actually pace off each course, Myron hopes to cover as many trails as he can.

He just received a patch for walking more than 5,500 kilometers. This summer Myron walked in the Black Hills of South Dakota near Mount Rushmore. More specifically, he walked out on the arm of the enormous still-being-built statue of Chief Crazy Horse. He just returned from his first board meeting in San Antonio and completed several walks in the Texas Hill Country. And he’s walked in most of Europe.

But he claims Deception Pass State Park as his favorite spot to walk on Whidbey Island.

“I love the big trees,” he said.

Get on your feet

NW Tulip Trekkers host walks at Fort Casey State Park Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4 and 5. Greeters will be near the Keystone Ferry ticket booth starting at 8 a.m. to register people and point out the route.

People can take their time on the 10- and 5-km walks. At 1 p.m. each day, a sweeper will walk the trails removing trail marks and checking for any stragglers. For more information, go to www.nwtrekkers.org.