Get out! Get out!

Saturday, June 11th is National Get Outdoors Day! You can read some great ideas and information HERE!

This whole annual day of getting outdoors was my idea. Seriously, I came up with the whole thing. Ok, maybe I'm not serious about it being my idea, but it's certainly my kind of day.

You don't have to be an avid hunter, a fanatic fisherman, a super shooter, or obsessed boater to enjoy the outdoors. Here's some ideas of ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Camping is excellent.

Day hikes are good.

Bike riding is great.

Chasing your children around outdoors is wonderful and they'll love you for it.

Bird watching is an outdoor activity.

A little paddle does a body good.

Grab a good book and head for the nearest hammock.

Fanatic fisherman are allowed.

Stop and smell the wildflowers.

Go play in the pool, the pond, or even the water hose!

Visit the zoo!

Or make a big bowl of ice cream and sit out on the porch to eat it.

Whatever your outdoor activity might be, it's waiting for you. Go find it! Go!  Hurry!  Go now!

take a Hike!

          Exploring hiking trails can be a spiritual, inspirational, relaxing, or healing experience.  For me, it’s just plain fun!  Recently someone asked me why I hike, and I was dumbstruck for a moment.  It’s so much a part of me, and what I do, that I really had to stop to consider a response.  It was as if someone had asked “why do you breathe?”

            I can tell you what it’s not.  It’s not a search for myself, because it’s just a part of me. It’s not an attempt to overcome obstacles or find meaning, although I find that when I’m hiking I have the time to think things through, and my head clears. It’s not a quest for a spiritual experience, although I believe tall trees make great cathedrals.

I don’t hike to escape anything, although escaping from noise and chaos does me good. I don’t pursue walking as a form of exercise, but it fulfills that role for me anyway. I don’t take to the trail to feel close to nature; I feel close to nature, so I hit the trail.

And each trail has its own benefit for me. Sometimes I just want something for an easy weekend hike and camping. When I wanted to introduce my 11-year old to hiking and backpacking, we headed to the nearest state park, and worked our way through the progressively longer trails there. I may be looking for spare and simplified, or full of history, or to challenge myself with an all out survive-on-your-own backpacking trip in the wilds.

Wherever the trail leads you, and for whatever reason you feel compelled to walk, follow the urge. You’ll find exactly what you’re looking for, and maybe more than you expected.