When you go out for a walk, hike, run, or some similar type of activity are you focused entirely on the exercise and its successful completion? Or do you take in what is around you as much as the exercise? My behavior is more in line with the later – even during my days of competitive back-country endurance racing.
So what is on your walk or walks? Is it city, suburban, small town or wilderness oriented? Do you get a chance to experience a variety?
One of my walks also performs the role as trail for a hike or run. It also functions as a route for a back-country ski or snowshoe.
In the summer time we (Linda, Sage Dog & Willow Dog) take the walk early in the morning (usually just after sun rise) on days we are not going for a hike at some other location.
The six-mile (10K) out and back route is best taken at a moderate or leisurely pace. It starts at our cabin on Goat Creek in Stanley, Idaho which sits on the boundary-line for the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA). The route follows Goat Creek, up through the Goat Creek Meadow and into the Sawtooth National Wilderness.
The Goat Creak Meadow is pretty cool and is about three miles in length before reaching the basin rocks. The trail straddles the left side of the meadow. From about May 1st to July 1st water in the meadow can be knee high. On this day the meadow was filled with dogs ignoring their owners.
We also ran into and observed wildlife. Such as this Sage Grouse.
Wild Flowers of all kinds abound. Below is what caught our eye on walks the past two days.
Nice flowers.
I am jealous!
I know how much you love wild-flowers and hiking in the back-country. A lot of my stuff is created so you can enjoy as well.
You do have a fabulous blog thanks. Corabella Borg Orton
Thanks… It is fun, and actually therapeutic.
Like you I live in a rural area with steep rolling hills but no mountains. Lake Michigan and Crystal lake (the 3rd largest inland lake in Michigan) provide intermittent views. The air quality is pristine normally and I try to stay in the moment while I walk but, of course, the mind wanders. I have encountered bobcats and coyotes but no bears. Deer sightings are almost a daily occurrence. I notice a variety of raptors including eagles and osprey annually. I once had a conversation with a great horned owl about 30 yards from my home, mimicking his interrogations. I have found myself in a swirl of panicked turkeys taking flight around me as surprised as I was. Wild flowers are indigenous and the monarch butterflies are making a strong come back. All the serenity and a lot more air, than Salmon, ID. I’ll stay at 500 ft elevation , thank you. I understand your zeal for the outdoors.
Tim,
I so enjoy your thoughts and input.
It is great news about the Monarch’s.
This is very important for me