Why I Love Hiking

The weather was very nice today, so I asked Sean if he wanted to go for a hike with me. It felt great to get outside and do our first hike of the year. We went to the White's Creek trail (it's in the Galena area and it's a nice hike). The weather was beautiful - sunny skies, and the temperature was just right.The creek was somewhat full, although it will probably get more full as it warms up and the snow at the higher elevations starts to melt. I feel incredibly lucky to live in a place that values its outdoor spaces.

The hike lasted for about an hour and a half (not including a half-hour stop for food, water, and rest), and I'm guessing we covered three or four miles. It was a nice relaxing hike, which was nice. It also felt great to spend some quality time with Sean - he's been so busy with school lately, it feels like we've hardly seen each other.

So, here are some reasons I love hiking:

1. The Great Outdoors. I just love being outdoors. The shining sun, the sound of the creek, birds chirping...it's all so miraculous. I think that our modern lives are somewhat disconnected from nature, and that's just not right. It's not natural for humans to sit inside an office all day and in a home all night. We evolved to be outside during the daytime (except during periods of intense heat), and it feels good to get outside and explore.

2. You never know what you're going to see. I've liked hiking since before I can remember. One day, when I was 3 or 4, I saw a fawn while on a hike with my mother (the fawn was alone; I think her mother was getting her food). I don't remember this, but it's one of my mom's favorite stories, and a good life lesson: always keep an eye out for wildlife, because you might see something amazing!

3. Clearing your mind. Hiking, walking, running - basically anything where you're using your legs to propel yourself - is excellent for clearing the mind. Sometimes I can think about things from a different perspective, and it helps to solve problems or reduce the chatter in my mind. It's also a good opportunity to reconnect with someone you care about, because it's almost like a mini-vacation. You don't have any worries or cares, so you're able to relax and enjoy yourself.

4. The people (and dogs!) you meet. There were lots of people out today - mostly hikers, and some mountain bikers. Several people had their dogs with them. There was one woman who had a lab (I love labs, I think they're great dogs), and Sean and I had an opportunity to talk with her and play with her dog. It's always nice to meet other people who share your values, whether you're an environmentalist or not, I think all hikers feel a need to connect to nature, and that creates an immediate bond.

So get out there! With summer coming, the daylight is lasting longer and longer, which is excellent for hikers. And right now the temperature is not too hot, but also not too cold (however, higher elevations still have snow, so if you're in the Reno area, you'll probably want to wait a few weeks before heading up to Tahoe to hike).

In addition to hiking, I went for a short run (about a mile) this morning and then did an abs and arms workout. Tomorrow I'm planning a three mile run, so we'll see how that goes. My first 5k is less than two weeks away!

What are some of your favorite hikes?