
Photo by Nina Uhlu00edkovu00e1 on Pexels.com
Once the Pandemic hit in March 2020, I knew that running 30 or more races including one half marathon each month would not likely happen.
I planned to continue to run hoping that the Pandemic would end but just in case, I knew that I needed an additional goal to stay active. Since I was working from home with no travel plans, I would have extra time.
In April, I decided that in addition to running, I would visit 25 trails in my area.
Before 2020, I had NO idea how many nearby opportunities there were for hiking. I wound up enjoying my trail walks, both solo and with friends, even more than my runs.
So I made the effort to visit as many trails each week as I had time for. Both after work and on weekends. By June, I changed my goal to 50 trails and to also re-visit the ones I liked and in different seasons.
And at the end of 2020, I had visited 72 different trails!!!!
2021 began and the Pandemic continued. And even when things started opening up and races being held, I vowed to continue my hiking adventures. No goals other than re-visit trails that I enjoyed plus discover some new ones.
So here’s a list of the NEW trails that I have visited so far in 2021:
- Indian Kill Preserve
- Burden Pond Preserve (2)
- Sanders Preserve
- Plotterkill Preserve (2)
- Secret Woods Preserve (Ft Lauderdale, FL)
- Grafton State Park
- Ooms Conservation Area
- Hand Hollow Conservation Area
- BeeBe Hill Forest Trails
- Cohoes Falls Trail (Waterford)
- Owen D. Young Nature Trails
- Wintergreen Park
- Buttermilk (Yatesville) Falls (Montgomery Cnty)
- Paint Mine Trail (Thacher Park)
- Escarpment Trail (Thacher Park)
- Barbersville Falls Ridge Trail (2)
- Barbersville Falls – Creek Trail
- Ferncliff Forest Fire Tower
- Poet’s Walk
- Myakka State Park (Sarasota, FL)
- Falling Waters Preserve
- Saugerties Lighthouse Trail
- Postenkill Gorge Trail
- Dionondahowa Falls
- Hudson Crossings Park Trails
- Kaaterskill Rail Trail
- Kaaterskill Falls (lower falls)
- Kaaterskill Escarpment Trail
- Lawson Lake Trail
- Indian Ladder Farms Trail
- The Pinnacle
GRAND TOTAL = 31
That doesn’t count the times that I have re-visited many of the trails.
You may have noticed that Hiking Sunday has been replaced by Boating Sunday.
But don’t worry. I have discovered a new love. And there are so many more places that I have not hiked yet.
And I’ll be back out there come Fall.
Since it’s Tuesday, I’m joining the link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner)
I’m also linking up here:
with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.
Happy Running! Any non-running goals or accomplishments in 2021? Please share.
I love your hiking challenge and your hiking photos! If ever I’m in your area, I will know who to ask for the best hike.
How long is your drive to these trails on average? How long does it take you to get to the closest and the farthest?
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I usually go to places within an hour.
Most are within 30 minutes.
Maybe a few 1h30.
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wow how lucky to have so many amazing new trails to explore by you! Love to see all your hiking photos
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I am lucky. The one positive from the Pandemic.
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That’s a whole lotta trails that you visited! Hiking is such a great way to explore nature and still get in a crazy good workout too!
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Yes it is.
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We started hiking before we got married, but it’s been an on again off again thing. And of course I’ve visited Olana about 20 times this year . . .
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Jan & I were not impressed with Olana at all. But maybe we expected more or it was the time of year. It’s a long drive and not many trails or views to make it worth it IMO.
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That’s so cool! I wish we had waterfalls in my areas. All the trails are the same here…sugar sand, sugar sand and more sugar sand! Oh and palm trees…we have plenty of those.
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I do love the OCEAN!!!! So there’s that in Fla.
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I’m seriously jealous of all the trails you have access to. We’ve been on some rail trails, for biking, but these are all 20 miles away (at the minimum). I just don’t feel like driving that far unless there’s an actual race or a full morning or afternoon time slot available. I know…high standards LOL
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I am pretty lucky – so many hiking areas nearby.
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I love how much you have embraced hiking! I thought of you yesterday when my family and I were out exploring a new trail 🙂
What a wonderful plus coming out of the pandemic!
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It really is. I never thought of hiking. And had no idea how many popular nearby trails there are.
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Wow, thats alot of trails! I don’t even know if I could name more than 5 trails near me and I’ve only been to 2 or 3 of them. What a great way to get outside and explore!
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There are so many around here. Who knew?
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What an incredibly large number of new trails that is!!! We have very few here (We don’t have a big hiking culture sadly) but it’s something I really enjoy! Well, if ever I visit your area, I’m definitely going hiking with you!
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It’s funny. I never knew we had so many. And with the Pandemic hiking has become so popular.
I would love to visit you!!!!!!!!!!!!
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That’s so great that you have so many trails within a reasonable drive. I love all of the photos!
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I feel pretty lucky. Wish I had more time to explore.
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Wow! You have a lot of beautiful places to hike, and you’re really making the most of it! I love my Florida trails but they aren’t as interesting as yours. But we’re in Texas right now and I’m hoping to have some good hikes- unfortunately it’s hot, rainy, and the kids aren’t really into it, ha ha, but we’ll be hiking anyway!
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Sorry. Florida is so flat. But you have the ocean.
Yes I hope you enjoy your vacation in Florida.
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What a great cross section of photos and places. I can’t wait to do the NYC fire tower with you one day
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What! There’s a NYC fire tower??
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Yep! Almost went there for you last week but couldn’t get there before dark (route is rocky)
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Thanks for thinking of me. I’ll get there. Maybe in August.
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To plan and additional goal was a very good idea. Those trails look very very beautiful and scenic.
To stay active I choose 10 different routes around and through my city logging the top ten finishing times.
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That’s such a great idea. And it is so beautiful where you live.
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I loved following along as you talked about the different hikes/trails!! I also enjoyed the pictures.
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Thanks.
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This is awesome! Way to make the most of the pandemic and find some new opportunities! I love hiking and I hope that I can get to as many trails as you have visited!
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There are some beautiful hikes in Fla and you have the water so there is that.
You’ll have to come up north.
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Thank you for sharing so many of your beautiful hiking trails with us. I’ve really enjoyed seeing all of your pictures.
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You’re welcome. I hope to continue and probably a lot more in the fall when boating ends.
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So many beautiful hikes! I hope the rest of 2021 takes you to some wonderful trails also.
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There are so many more to visit. Right now I am re-visiting some…they look different in different seasons.
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