Hike # 17: Veterans Memorial Park - Boise Cascade Lake Loop

What could be better than celebrating your 60th birthday with  the 5 women with whom you have celebrated every past birthday for the last 18 years?

Hiking with those women - in celebration of 60 hikes during the 60th year!

Today my birthday group treated me to a picnic in the park - Veteran's Memorial Park in Boise. Despite the 90 degree weather, we were shaded by wonderful trees (thankfully), treated to a Gyro Salad (love Greek food), red velvet cupcakes (yum), a squirt gun fight (refreshing), a memory book (touching), hiking gifts (yeah), and a walk around Boise Cascade Lake (fantastic)!

This hike was written up in my new favorite book, Best Easy Day Hikes Boise by Natalie Bartley (a great present from my hubby). The remarkable thing about Boise, is that it has pockets of paradise tucked in unexpected places. And even more remarkable is that people have created trails to and around these city surprises. Perfect for novice hikers, like myself and there are lots of them just waiting to be discovered. 

Those little dots floating in the center/right of the picture are baby Canadian Geese. 

For example, I never knew about Boise Cascade Lake... and it is only 5 miles from my house. Even at 8:45 PM, this lake was being enjoyed by lots of people. The trails around the lake were filled with walkers (hikers... I meant hikers), bikers, and people of all ages who were enjoying the great outdoors and all that Boise has to offer. 

Thanks Ladies, for a great birthday celebration!

Hike # 16: Mall Hike

A "Mall Hike"!
I don't know if such a thing exists, but today, for my 60th, I went on one - a celebratory hike signalling this year's adventure. The weather was drizzly, and overcast - but perfect for the Boise Towne Center Mall Hike.

I met up with my friend, Kim, who greeted me with a bottle of Merlot and a very funny birthday card! We started by taking advantage of the break in the weather, beginning our hike on the perimeter of the mall.

Now, I had always thought of "Mall Walkers" as people who got up early, were all over 60 (hey that's me in another year), wore exercise attire, and walked the inside perimeter of the mall - floor by floor. These fast trekking seniors were quick on their feet, and walked briskly by anyone who stood in their way.

"Mall Hikers", on the other hand, start on the outside of mall... wear exercise clothes, and are equally brisk trekkers. The great thing about a "Mall Hiker" is that they get to experience the changes in elevation that the outside of the mall has to offer.

Kim and I went up and down steps, past Sears, around Penny's, flew by Macy's and 1 mile later we were back where we stared. Then it was time to transition into the "Mall Walker" World! We walked as briskly as any veteran mall walker, dodged and weaved our way through shoppers - first the top floor, then the bottom floor.

By 56 minutes, we had walked (ooops "hiked" - I mean hiked...) 3.29 miles! What a great birthday!

Happy 60th Birthday!

It's rainy and the foothill trails are muddy. Guess I'll celebrate with a "Mall Hike"!

Thoughts About Turning 60

In two days, I will officially be 60 years old. I read somewhere that 60 was the new 40. All I have to say about that is - balderdash! 60 is 60 no matter how you slice it up, dress it up, die it's hair, apply firming cream, eat right, or exercise. 60 is 60 - plain and simple.

At 60, your body hurts in places that you never thought about before. Your body shape changes. (In my case, my upper half is getting bigger than my lower half - not a good thing by the way.) Your view of politics and human motivation gets more cynical. Your plans are more about retirement than about "the future" as you knew it at 40.  But, I'm turning 60, not 40.

What makes this birthday special is not celebratory parties, once-in-a-lifetime gifts, regression adventures, or any other 60th birthday tradition. What makes this year special for me is that it represents a true change in my being. I am somehow more detached from others and more concerned about meeting my personal goal. It's not that I care less or even do less for others - it is more about how I feel. I'm not so enmeshed, emotionally. More accepting, I'd say.

I don't know if others see it, but inside I am different at 60, than at 40. A little more independent of others. A little more dependent on my ability to make healthy choices. A little more uncertain of my future. (Especially after visiting my parents this last week, watching them age, and knowing what it takes to care for the elderly - emotionally and financially.) I am a lot more determined to not repeat family history! (But privately, I worry that I will...)

Two days before my actual birthday, I have made 15 hikes in 3 months. I am hopeful I can make the remaining 45 hikes, before my next birthday. We shall see...

Hike # 15: And Another Urban Hike

Who is Juanita Cooke? 

And why is there a trail named after her in the middle of Fullerton, CA? 

According to the City of Fullerton's web site, "This greenbelt is named after Juanita Cooke, who served as a city liaison for the Fullerton Recreation Riders. This wide trail promises enjoyment for all trail trekkers."

 It was part of an old railroad spur, so it is wide and flat. It winds through neighborhoods and dead ends at a small lake (which in Idaho we would call a pond). It was filled with "walkers" and hikers (like me), even at 6:30 in the morning. 

This was the second "Urban Hike" I took with my sister. At the beginning of the 5 mile hike, we flew! I felt like a "walker" - averaging 13 min/mile. In the end, it averaged out to 15 min/mile - a real record for me!

Not too much to see, but pepper trees, bougainvillea, and fellow walkers (oops, I mean hikers). The best part of this hike was getting caught up on all of the family, with someone I grew up with and love. Hike #15 was great "sister time". Not that Hike # 14 wasn't. Its just that when you are new at this, hiking on a flat path allows you to have great conversation, even at 15 min/mile!

Final Stats:

Duration: 1 hr 17 min   Distance: 5.05 mile   Avg Speed: 3.89 mph

Hike # 14: Another Urban Hike - Fullerton, CA

On thing about hiking is that people often distinguish a real "hike" from a "walk". I, on the other hand, don't! To me, if you walked it, you hiked it. There shouldn't be any difference. Case in point... Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, CA.

Located in the city where I grew up, Craig Park is a pretty remarkable place for being in Northern Orange County. It is surrounded by Highways, Freeways, malls and subdivisions - lots and lots of houses! 45 years ago, I remember it as an open grass/marshland, where I rescued a Morning Dove with a broken wing (before it was an official park). Returning today, I barely recognized the place. Tucked off the 57 Fwy, with the Brea Mall to the north, you might never know this priceless treasure exists. After flying down from Idaho to come home for a visit, I thought it was a great first place to " hike" (my word, not my sister's). You can read more about it at  http://ocparks.com/parks/ted/history

I met up with my youngest sister at her house and we "hiked" to the park. I have two sisters and they are both younger than me, but Julie is the youngest of group. She was a great walking partner - encouraging, knowledgeable, a good conversationalist, friendly as all get-out to the people we passed, cute, thin, physically fit, aging nicely, has the "hiking" speed of a cheetah ... ok, so I'm a little jealous! She invited me to take a "walk". I called it a "hike". I earned it as a "hike". Yes... it was definitely a "hike" in my book!

This park had it all - walking paths, changes in elevations (that just about put me in the dirt), nature, and on a Monday morning at 8:30 AM - relatively few people. Once around the park and my sister asked me if I wanted "walk"  it again... I was out of breath, exhausted, and ready to head home. "Maybe next year, when I'm in better shape"... we shall see. "And for the record... that WAS a "hike!"

Endomodo Stats
Duration: 1 hr 24 min
Distance: 4.74 miles
Avg Pace: 17 min/ mile
Avg Speed: 3.38 mph

Hike # 13: Bogus Basin, Deer Point Trail

What a great day for a hike! 70 something degrees, clear skies, slight breeze...

Ridge to Rivers trail # 91 at the base of Bogus Basin Ski Area. Accompanied by Syndey (behind the sign)...

my daughter (who had just ran 6 miles that day) and my son-in-law (who biked 30 miles the day before).

It doesn't get any better than this! So glad we live in Boise, ID!  All this great hiking area, within 20 miles.

Too bad it took me 20 years to discover. Oh well, better late than never! Hike # 13 was very lucky for me!

Hike # 12: My Sister's Birthday

Today was my sister's birthday. Happy Birthday Georgie!! In your honor, I walked with a friend. It was a very unexpected experience. The location was hidden in a suburban area and newly developed into a refuge. I think you would have really liked it. Lots of mallard ducks, coots, red and yellow winged blackbirds. The area was reclaimed. It was once a dumping ground and now it is a spectacular refuge for birds and wildlife. Reclamation at it's best! Rebirth... Happy Birthday!

Hike # 11: Red Tail Trail 71

There is nothing more fun than when a friend calls you and asks "Are we still on for that hike today?"

Wow- Saturday, Sunday, and now it's Monday! 3 hikes in 3 days - guess I'm not as sedentary as I used to be a few short weeks ago...

Hike # 11 started at Red Tail Trail, just north of the Hidden Springs subdivision. In fact, it is part of the Hidden Springs property, on some 12,000 acres. Hundreds of miles of hiking, biking, and running trails. (I'll have to double check that stat  - but it is a lot!) The trails are kept up by a non-profit group called Ridge to Rivers. It is a massive undertaking, but so worth it to all who enjoy hiking in the Boise Foothills. Here is a link to their web site... http://www.ridgetorivers.org/ I am definitely going to spend time on this site locating new hikes to take!

We began at my friend's house, hiking through Hidden Springs, past the school, crossed Dry Creek, and then we crossed the road. I looked up in horror. She assured me that I could do it and that we would take it slow...

And we did take it slow... so slow in fact, that she had time to take a phone call and still outpace me...

The best part of this hike was the companionship in the shared experience of doing something I wasn't sure I could do, and sharing that with the very same person who took me on my first of 60 hikes. The view from the top of this hill was spectacular. The conversation was great. The companionship was bonding.

And... Hike # 11 was a great success!

Endomondo Stats:
Duration: 1 hr 37 min
Distance: 4.58 miles
Avg Speed: 2.83 mph
Avg Pace: 21 min/mile (after all it was uphill!!)

Hike # 10: Payette River Subdivision

This is my little piece of heaven... our cabin in McCall. It is actually located in a subdivision  - the location of Hike #10. Motivated by my Saturday Hike #9 and the great weather, I chose to hike every street in our subdivision. With Ninny in tow, we traveled up and down hills, past meadows, followed a creek that feeds into the Payette River, and gazed over vistas where you can stare Bald Eagles in the eye as they float on the air currents above the river.

Endomondo Stats:
Duration: 1 hr 27 min
Distance: 4.54 miles
Avg Speed: 3.11 mph
Avg Pace: 19.17 min/mile (this seems to be my preferred pace)

Hike # 9: Completing Hike #5

This past weekend, my husband and I headed back to McCall.  Saturday was fabulous weather - sunshine, blue skies, big puffy white clouds, and a cool breeze. It was perfect weather to complete the hike I started last month.So off I went - back to Crown Point Trail! This time I even registered - just to make it official and to claim my intent to finish the 2.5 (one way) hike.

This hike also signaled my new awareness of Hiking Etiquette Rule # 6 - Don't hike alone. As I planned the hike, I knew that the trail was well traveled, bordered a lake filled with boats, was about 5 feet wide, was open, and on a Saturday afternoon would probably be packed. Even though it was a low-risk hike, I decided to take along one of my best friends, Ninny.

Hiking with Ninny is a real joy. She is steady and strong. She hikes at my pace. And, she gives me a great sense of security. One time, when Ninny and I walked together in our McCall neighborhood, my dog Charlie was attacked by a very aggressive dog who charged us out of nowhere. That dog had Charlie on his back by the throat in 2 seconds flat. Acting out of instinct, Ninny beat the living daylights out of that aggressive dog. She sent him squealing back to his house and saved Charlie. Now that is a sign of a great hiking buddy!

Ninny and I walked past the .5 mile marker where I had originally had to turn back on Hike # 6. With great joy and determination, we walked to the end of the 2.5 mile trail (which was actually longer) and back to the car for a grand total of 5.70 miles!

I have to say that because I was determined to finish the hike, the walk to the end of the trail was more about speed and accomplishment. Consequently, I missed a lot of interesting sights. On the return trip, I noticed things that I blindly walked by earlier. I saw an occupied Osprey nest, white sandy beaches, a Great Blue Heron fishing along the shore, insect bundles with emerging worms who were working hard to break out of their enclosure, animal tracks, and even a sign that explained the tracks I would notice (if I had paid attention the first part of the hike).

And the butterflies! I loved how they danced around my head and seemed to enjoy my company as much as I enjoyed them. As I made the return trip, I noticed that my pace slowed - which was fine. Hiking is not a race - it is about the journey.

Endomondo Stats:
Duration: 1 hr 52 min
Distance: 5.72 miles
Avg Speed: 3.06 mph
Avg Pace: 19.36 min/mile