Journal Saige's Journal: Becoming Outdoorsy... 1
One of the things about living in the Chicago area was that outdoors activities were limited. Mainly, it was go to one of the forest preserves (of which there are many, fortunately), and walk/skate/bike the paths, maybe some sports stuff if you can get enough people together. Not bad, but with so many people, even the significant amounts they have in the area could get pretty crowded.
I just never did a whole lot around there.
Now that I'm in the Northwest, there are a lot more options - and it's more of a way of life out here. I came out here expecting to do some occasional hikes - but never did I expect I'd like it as much as I do.
With the two months (plus 1 week) we've been here, we've been on three hikes. Considering that the first month really doesn't count due to being in temporary housing and the chaos of getting settled, that means the hikes have all been done in about one month. Two trips to Rattlesnake ledge (only about 1 1/2 hours total), and one halfway up Mt. Si (about 2 1/2 hours total). Yes, not much in the way of length, but not a bad start for someone who's never hiked before.
We are now very excited about hiking, and already have plans for two more in the next two weeks - including getting to the top of Mt. Si (minus the 500 ft. loose-rock scramble that's more danger than it's worth). We've also picked up one of the '100 Great Hikes' books, for the Alpine Lakes region, and have already found a few to try out later on in the year when they're in better shape after the snow melts.
Heck, we're even liking the looks of some of the 2-3 day hikes that require camping overnight - this after I thought I'd never camp outside again after an unpleasant trip up north in Michigan's LP. Of course, those will wait until after we've done a few day-long hikes to gauge our endurance and skill level.
I'm realizing very quickly why there is so much anti-logging sentiment in the area - because the same areas the companies want to log are the areas that hikers enjoy. And there is surely no enjoyment in hiking through miles of clear-cut forest, large stumps only hinting at the beauty of large, old-growth forest, trees older than the country. Some of the trails I found in that book go through areas that have been clear-cut, and as the authors have beek hiking for a long time, they sometimes even describe what the area was like beforehand, and it just sounds horrible to have lost it.
I'm glad to have found what an enjoyable activity hiking is, and to be in an area where there are so many places to do it.
Perhaps I'll have to start up a photo gallery to share some of the views with people...
If you like the water... (Score:2)