These last two months, I've been getting more in touch with nature by going on hikes. For my birthday weekend, I went hiking in Woodside. Later, for Mother's Day I went on a guided Nature Hike at Filoli (more on this later). And then just a couple weekends ago, I hiked 3ish miles in Temescal Canyon and also went on a micro-mini sweaty stroll through an Indian Reservation in Southern California.
Generally, hiking isn't something I gravitate toward. However, on my ascension up a hill in Temescal, I loved the breathtakingly-beautiful canyon and Pacific Ocean snapshot at the top. The way the ocean glistened that afternoon will make for a lovely memory. There's also the more tangible reward of feeling a slightly sore in your legs, a sensation I've come to look forward to. Whenever that slightly uncomfortable tingling is knocking at my door, it means I pushed myself out of my normal routine and worked hard at something new. In the spirit of this blog, it's always a good thing when I try something new and focus on incorporating its positive aspects into my life.
After my recent hikes, I've decided to do more outdoorsy things. So recently, I bought a bike! After months of my brother urging me, I finally bought a pre-loved Trek 7100 Hybrid. A not-too-comprehensive $90 tune-up later, it is up and running and I'm riding it around town and loving it! Every inch of this bike is mine, paid exclusively by yours truly -- a fact that I'm kind of proud of since it's been growing into an expensive investment. But I am sure that I will continue to love it and get as much out of it as I put in. True to its Hybrid name, my bike is perfect for daily commuting or for the leisurely ride around town. And of course, I've personalized it to make it more unique. In addition to the basket hanging in front of the handlebars that will hold my picnic foods, fresh farmer's market produce, blanket and Yorkie companion, I even installed a little bell to ring as I cruise by.
Today was the first day that I really rode it for an extended period of time. For nearly an hour, I zoomed uphill then shimmied downhill toward downtown, looping around a park and past a church. On my ride, I saw two other cyclists and we exchanged a head nod in acknowledgement. I guess they see me, a re-born bike novice, as... yup... one of them. I worked up a sweat even though it's clear that we should expect a late summer this year with thunderstorms in this weekend's June forecast.
All around, I am really enjoying my bike and hope that my pledge to try more outdoor activities will come easily. With the minor tingling in my muscles, I can tell I'll be a tad sore tomorrow but I still can't wait to get back on tomorrow.
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