Hiking tips

My family is full of contradictions. We love watching movies and reading books and listening to music and attending concerts and plays. We don't watch much sports. Okay, we don't watch any sports except for the Superbowl and occasionally a college bowl if a local college is involved. We don't play any sports. I have dabbled in tennis in the past. My son has enjoyed playing soccer when we can fit it in and afford the gas. My daughter likes gymnastics, again when we can fit it in and afford the gas. But something we do love is hiking.

I spent a lot of time in the mountains as a child. My father is an outdoorsman. He hunts, fishes, owns a cabin and 51 acres against National Forest, and would rather be outside than do anything else. Mom, Dad and I would go riding in the mountains most every Sunday afternoon when I was a kid. We would explore, fish and find treasures (rocks, neat shaped wood, feathers). That ingrained in me the desire to be out in the woods.

Over the years my family has had bouts with hiking. We have hiked along the Appalachin trail near our home. We have hiked in the Rockies. My husband and two stepsons hiked around in the Grand Canyon (I drew the lijne on that one). Daniel and Jack have recently been doing a lot of hiking. It has been a great father son bonding time. And Daniel has taught Jack about map reading, what to do should a wild critter be encountered, photography, what to do if lost, and all kinds of other topics that I am sure I haven't been told about.