




06
It isn’t often that the weather in November is both semi-warmish AND sunny, so take advantage of it while it lasts. Last I checked, most of the country (excluding Pacific Northwest – sorry guys) can expect decent weather through the weekend. Aside from the opportunity to soak up the last of the colorful fall foliage, hiking is great exercise. A 150lb person burns about 450 calories in one hour of hiking. The faster you walk, and the more hills there are, the more calories you’ll burn.
One of my favorite hiking areas is Hocking Hills (Ohio), about an hour southeast from Columbus. Amazing rock formations, breathtaking scenery, and hills. Lots of hills. Added bonus: this is one of the few activities the whole family enjoys, and the kids have no idea they are exercising! We call it “exploring nature.” Wink.
Need some hiking inspiration? Check out these sites for ideas…
Visit Trails.com to locate a trail near you.
Hop over to Yelp! to find out what other hikers in your neck of the woods recommend.
If you are lucky enough to live near one of our many U.S. National Parks, take advantage of the government website – it lets you search a park by location and activity. From there, you can read up on your park’s history and get directions.
A bit about safety…
Take your cell phone, driver’s license or Road I.D., water bottle, snacks (this is the perfect excuse to make your favorite trail mix – find recipe ideas here) and sunscreen (sun = sunburn, regardless of the time of year). Always tell at least one other person where you are going, and your expected return time. Always watch where you are going! I can’t emphasize this enough! Unpaved trails usually have rocks, tree branches, and are uneven. Many hikers have gone ass over tea kettle on a trail because they are in la la land when they should have their eyes on the path! And finally, it is always a good idea to hike with a buddy, especially if you’ll be visiting a new location that you are unfamiliar with. Abide by the park’s hours, and skadaddle when it dusk sets in.
And finally, because I think you can never bee too careful, check out Wilderness-Survival.net – a website full of advice, from identifying poisonous plants, to avoiding dangerous animals.