We found the Crooked River Trail 2 years ago last January. There was lots of snow and we were the only crazy group out there that day. This last Saturday was a balmy day in June, with early morning temperatures in the low 50’s °F, and comfortable highs in the mid 70’s °F. It was […]
Archive | Hiking
7 Hours in a Canoe on Salmon Falls Creek
This last Saturday, May 21, 2016, was spent paddling nearly constantly for 7 hours on Salmon Falls Creek. We began at a rest area about 3 miles south of Jackpot, Nevada. We “floated” north, until the edge of the reservoir. It was an estimated 11 miles. I think I should begin with some […]
Why This Grandma Could Go On a Geocaching Hike Carrying a Baby
One of the benefits of staying in relatively good physical condition is being able to enjoy impromptu hikes with my adult children. Like when we visited our son’s family in Port Orchard, WA, and they wanted to take us on our first geocaching adventure. With their twin 3 month old babies. I had offered to […]
Fitness, Altitude Sickness, and Low Blood Pressure on Maui’s Southern Volcano
I have been at significant altitudes three times in the past 12 months. Each time has been problematic, but it wasn’t until the last time that we figured out that I may simply be susceptible to altitude sickness. The first time was in April when we went to pick up our daughter in Avon, Colorado. […]
7 Misconceptions About Aging and Fitness
By Laura Blodgett on January 22, 2016 in aging, Cycling, Dancing, Health Basics, Hiking, Running, Strength Training, Swimming
While we all age, if we live long enough, there are a few assumptions about aging and our ability to enjoy a high level of fitness that are best questioned. Both studies and anecdotes give us good reason to suspect that these assumptions are based more on people’s choices as they age, than […]
Hiking Indian Canyons Near Palm Springs in Modern Moccasins
It turns out that a November morning can be a pretty decent time to go hiking on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation in the desert near Palm Springs. For our visit to the trail system there, which they call Indian Canyons, it was a mild 60°F day with a gently breeze and sunny skies. I […]
Reasons and Strategies for Exercise Even if You Have a Physical Job
By Laura Blodgett on November 19, 2015 in Cycling, Health Basics, Hiking, Running, Strength Training, Swimming
My job responsibilities involve a lot of physical labor. In some ways, I count this as exercise. Exercise is, after all, a process of using the physical body in a way that builds strength and stamina. Yard work to care for my acre or vacuuming a 3800 square foot home is going to do […]
Why You Should Give Up Weighing Yourself
By Laura Blodgett on October 1, 2015 in Cycling, Dancing, Health Basics, Hiking, Running, Strength Training, Swimming, Triathlon Training, weight and body image
Too many people are overly concerned about how much they weigh. Somewhere along the way, the idea took root that weight is an important and reliable indicator of health. I disagree that this is valid for most people. There are too many other factors that are much more important than some fashionable or statistically questionable […]
Helpless Female Scouts for Elk
People rarely go hunting with my husband twice. I have vaguely understood this, knowing that he is often a frightening combination of explorer and extreme stamina. When other people say, “Oh, I wish I had lived in the pioneer days!” I say, “Oh, God, thank you that we live in the day and age of […]
Helpless Female Hikes to Six Lakes Basin with Wild Greg and His Minions
If it took 5 hours to hike 8 miles, you know the terrain was technically challenging. I can run 8 miles comfortably well inside of 80 minutes nowadays, on the routes around home. That would be either barefoot or wearing my Luna sandals, depending on the current level and distance on roughness I have adapted […]