I’m headed to the West Coast in November! It’s my first time ever, dear reader. And, alright, just hear me out. I’ve spent almost my entire life (regardless of living here) on the East Coast. I’ve only just got my passport (well technically I got it in February of 2020 but…well…we all know what happened there).
Traveling the world, much less this country, has always been a big part of my goals and wants in life. It’s part of the reason why I enjoy wedding planning in the Berkshires so much. It’s given me a chance to see so much more of this area than what I normally would explore.
But what does this have to do with events and weddings might you ask? Let’s go back to my upcoming November trip. I’m going to San Diego to visit a close friend, and she asked me what I wanted to do while I was out there. First request: a hike!
Hiking is so often on the forefront of minds when thinking about what to do when visiting a new area.
Think about it. Imagine you’re throwing a destination wedding (if you aren’t already) and you’re wanting to round out the trip for your guests. What else can you offer so they can see the sights of wherever you’re headed? What about planning an event and looking for a main activity that can be as strenuous, or lack thereof, as you would like, and creates an experience of connection? Hiking!
And it’s not just here. A recent study has found that hiking has never been more popular in the US.
So let’s dive into that! Let’s talk all about hiking, and give you a good overview if you’ve got hiking on the brain. And for proof, I’ll throw in a recent trip I took this year to the Appalachian Trail.
HIKING TIPS AND TRICKS
WHY IS IT GOOD TO HIKE?
The benefits of hiking really start pouring out as soon as you give it a thought. Right off the bat, hiking is an active form of cardio. It’s a chance for you to get moving and even potentially elevate your heart rate. Even more so there are plenty of physical health benefits to hiking. From heart disease to diabetes, and so much more, hiking can help as a preventative measure against multiple illnesses.
What about mental health? Yup. Hiking can help that too!
This past week, my boyfriend and I took a visit to Virginia, and had a hike along the Appalachian Trail up to Tinker Cliffs. Physically, the hike was strenuous enough to feel like we were getting in a solid workout (along with ample stretching after). But mental health wise? I’m no Virginia travel agent, but wow those 180 views speak for themselves.
TIPS BEFORE GOING HIKING / WHAT SHOULD YOU HAVE WHEN HIKING?
Before our hike was a field day for my double-virgo brain, and I made a to-do and to-buy list of everything we needed and what to do before we set off on the trail.
To-do? Made sure we had a full idea of what trail we would be going on, considering both the elevation and the distance. What’s the weather going to be like? And, especially important in increasing years, when is tick season?
To-buy? If we didn’t have it already, I made sure we had sunscreen for face and body, some sort of tick repellent, water (we spiced ours up with some hydration tablets), and protein bars. Our trek was going to be around 4 hours total so we needed to stock up!
It might seem like a lot, and just for a day hike you don’t need but what you can use as refueling. I guess a camera to capture the views is a good idea, but we all have one in our pockets anyway.
Any more than this? Honey, that’s backpacking and that’s a blog for another day.
Last tip I would say it’s make sure you’re wearing a comfortable pair of closed-toed shoes. I love my Chaco sandals as much as the next crunchy granola, but if you’re exploring a trail you’re unfamiliar it’s best to stay covered in the toes. You could very well be thanking yourself later!
WHERE SHOULD I HIKE TODAY?
In your backyard! Seriously, the beautiful Berkshires aside, hiking trails can be found virtually anywhere in the USA. And with hiking increasing in popularity each year, it’s a no-brainer that there are so many options for you to use to find the hiking trail perfect for your next outing.
Need any more convincing? Here’s some photos from our trip. Believe me, they speak for themselves.
