You know the Chronicles of Narnia SNL skit that goes, “Google Maps Is the Best… True That! Double True!” Well, that statement’s more accurate than ever, thanks to the latest idea from Google. Google Maps now has a Beta version of walking directions.

It’s even got visuals at every step so you can see what direction you should be walking. Don’t take those Beta images literally, however. I’m hoping in the not-too-distant future they’ll work on putting the walking direction arrows on the sidewalk rather than in the MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I get where they were going with this, but I’m guessing that not everyone out there is smart enough to know not to do this.

If you ever want to find walking or biking distances for local restaurants, doctors’ offices, etc. in any of the major metropolitan (and surrounding) areas, be sure to check out Yelp.com. They have a really cool “Distance” feature that allows you to narrow down your city or ZIP code search to locations within driving (5 miles), biking (2 miles), walking (1 mile) or a 4 block distance from the city you requested.

I’ve noticed recently that this previously foreign concept of walking to our destinations seems to be slowly creeping back into our society. If all of us got out there and walked to even a FEW of the places we needed to go each week, we’d see a significant reduction in our country’s oil demand and carbon footprint. Wait! I GET it! Reduce your footprint by using your feet! Somebody write that down…

So now you’ve got no excuse to get moving, right? But oh, the eternal struggle… What to wear for all that walking? Well, good old Zappos has a few options for you. I just found a pair of sneaks that are cute, comfortable AND eco-friendly. The “Corsair/Sweet Pea” (aka: light green with dark blue polka dots) Ventura by Keen is made with printed natural canvas, recycled aluminum eyelets, natural rubber outsoles and a removable jute, cork and natural latex footbed. They also come in Blackberry Wine/Regal Orchid (aka: lavender with dark purple polka dots). More important than anything, they’re just so darned cute you’ll WANT to find reasons to walk!