It’s officially hiking season.  There are so many great hiking trails around my area.

Have you found any great hiking trails where you live?  All you need to do is do a quick Google search and you could be on your way.  Another way to find out great where you can go hiking it to ask your friends.  You can ask them on Facebook and you will probably get lots of ideas of where to go hiking.

One thing I love about hiking is that you can make it as easy or as difficult as you choose. There are trails that I take my kids on and there are also hiking trails that are more challenging that I go on with my friends or my husband.  We have some fun trails around us where we can even play in the water a bit.

I also love getting fresh air and seeing beautiful scenes.  Even if you go hiking on the same trail every week, you will see something different each time.  The season, cloud cover, temperature, and time of day make the landscape look different daily.

Because we have a lot of rattlesnakes in our area I always stick to trails where I can see where I am stepping, there’s no guarantee that you won’t still run into a snake, but they are easier to spot and avoid.

There are a few things that you will want to make sure to have with you when you are hiking. Just take a backpack with you.  Even if you don’t think you will got lost or stranded you need to be prepared for that when you are hiking

• Drinking water – take more than you think you need!
• Sturdy shoes – protect those feet and ankles.
• Snacks – for energy and to be prepared for emergency
• Extra socks – in case you get wet or if your feet get sweaty
• Light jacket
• Matches – in case you get stuck and you need warmth or a way to signal for help
• First Aid Kit
• Cellphone with charged battery

I highly suggest when you go hiking you tell someone where you are going.  In case you run into a problem you want people to know where to go find you.  I have a friend that I call before I go hiking to tell her where I am going and then I call her when I am done with the hike, then she knows I am safe.

Get out there and unplug and enjoy the Earth!