Yeah I think you're right! And it's not just the visual stimulus either! She'd walk through pretty much the entire village, including a few homes that smack in the middle of nowhere. And she'd say hello to everyone she passed! Once in a while she'd stop and have chat...

After the dog died she only talked to people if they came into her home.

I think the social aspect of her walks was very important for her health too. Like you say, it's all about exercising that noggin',as well as the body!