Getaways: Enjoy an Outdoor Hike

Embrace exploring a new park or neighborhood with an outdoor hike

Getaways don’t have to mean hopping onto an airplane or spending a lot of money. Anyone can enjoy a simple day outside, by taking an outdoor hike. Commune with nature and enjoy the seasons. Go walking in a new neighborhood and explore a part of your community that you do not know well. Be curious!

Consider an outdoor hike every day. You don’t have to take the same route each day. If COVID has taught us anything, it is to appreciate and enjoy the simple things. While I love going to the gym, I don’t miss it. I find that the exercise from a vigorous outdoor hike combined with the fresh air, beauty and things to see is far superior for my mental and physical health. Even better, it gives my husband and I time to connect, talk about our days and decompress together.

If you get tired of the same outdoor hike every day, take advantage of exploring new parts of your city or local parks. We are fortunate to live in a place where there are many amazing outside parks with groomed and ungroomed trails. While it may sound crazy, I get excited by exploring a new park. You never know when you are going to turn the corner to a beautiful lake, funky new neighborhood or a view that you just have to capture on your phone and paint later.

I know that winter is upon us, but don’t let the cold weather hold you back. There are so many awesome layering clothing items from Patagonia, ArcTeryx, The North Face, Fjallraven and others. If you feel adventurous, consider buying cross country skis, snowshoes or winter hiking boots and take your outdoor hike up a notch!