Hiking. That's what I need. Oxygen therapy. Since moving to Middle Tennessee, Jerry and I have longed to form a hiking group for families like the Sonoran Family Hiking Group that we were part of in Arizona. We loved hearing hikers rhapsodize about their experience in the Arizona wild- the solitude or camaraderie, the connections among family members and friends that have been strengthened on the trail. We loved hearing parents rejoice in the time spent with their children. It was quite satisfying to share outdoor experiences with others, like hiking to a fabulous vista, conquering a high peak, sighting a rare bird or insect and admiring waterfalls and wildflowers. Nothing made us happier than seeing our children delight in the outdoors and unstructured play, the way God designed it to be. We loved coming back a little more refreshed and rejuvenated. It is a great art to saunter.
I realized that I was suffering once again from Nature Deficit Disorder. As Garrison Keeler said; "Walk out the door and find good health. There is not fever that a 10 mile hike can't cure." I'm not sure if I can handle 10 miles yet, but maybe 3.
So here it is. The Fellowship Family Hiking Group. A group of families who like to hike with all age groups. We will tend toward shorter but fun hikes that all ages can enjoy. Jerry and I have found that kids enjoy and have more energy for hikes that have some mildly rugged terrain with rocks to climb, and that hiking with other families makes for good fun. It is an opportunity to spend some time with your family and to meet new people at the same time. We will add some more challenging hikes as our skill level increases.
Our inaugural hike (weather permitting) will be this Saturday, June 9, 2012. We will be hiking the Meriwether Lewis Loop in Hohenwald, TN. It is a fun hike, with a good mix of elevation change and flat distance hiking. It is a 3.5 mile loop hike that travels on very historic ground. Meriwether Lewis died here in 1809 during his return trip to Washington from St. Louis. The trail is mostly shady and takes about 2 hours to complete. There are restroom facilities and water available, and there are no fees or permits.
Wear comfortable shoes, good socks, shorts or pants and a hat/cap. Make sure to bring sunscreen and insect repellent as well as at least 2 liters of water in a leakproof/shatterproof container or camelback. For munchies on the trail, I would suggest high calorie, quick burn energy food like dried fruit, nuts, granola bars etc. The temperature is expected to be a high of 86 with partly cloudy skies.
For anyone that would like to carpool, we will meet at the Publix parking lot (off Royal Oaks near the
intersection of 96 and Royal Oaks) The address is 1021 Riverside Drive. We will meet at 7:15 AM THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012. (Rain date July 7) We will pass out directions and information about the trail. It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the trail. After the hike, if you are interested, we can meet at the Pizza Hut in Hohenwald. They have a saladbar/pizza buffet and menu available for eat in dining.
FYI, Here is a link to background information on Meriweather Lewis http://www.lewisclark.net/biography/index.html.
Let's take a hike!!!
