In a January,2024 blog post I wrote:
Christmas was over, the kids and granddaughters were on their way home. Post-holiday lethargy had set in and I was mindlessly scrolling through my phone when an ad for the 52 Hike Challenge caught my attention. I thought it might be a fun way for my husband and I to get out of our routine, get some fresh air and exercise, and spend time together.“Hey, would you like for me to sign us up for this?” I showed the ad to Ed. “Sure, why not?”
Why not? So, on January 6, 2024 , a cold and frosty morning, we bundled up for hike #1/52 along the B-Line trail in our hometown of Bloomington, Indiana.
One Year Later
On January 1, 2025 we crossed the finish line of the Hot Cocoa 5k run/walk in Oro Valley, Arizona, with our family cheering us on. We had completed the 2024 52 Hike challenge!
During the year, with only a few repeat hikes, we walked on 44 different trails and covered a total of 104.6 miles in three states and three countries. We walked through woods, along rivers, lakes, and ponds, through many dusty desert trails, up hills and mountain tops, and underground caverns. Our urban hikes took us to botanical gardens and zoos.
While traveling in Spain and Portugal on our 50th wedding anniversary trip, we logged many miles on sightseeing tours through Lisbon, Seville, and Barcelona. (Now that I think of it…this could have been a “50 hikes for fifty years of marriage event” –plus two extra hikes!)
Along the way, we enjoyed hiking with friends and family and even made a few new friends on the trail. We pushed ourselves, and learned our limits. Favorite hikes? Experiences? Lessons learned? Meditations along the way? Yeah, it’s all in my hiking journal.
You knew I’d be keeping a journal, right? Raw material for book #3? Possibly. The wheels are turning…
Quilting the Hikes
Along with my journal, I wanted a creative way to document the hikes, so I’m making a quilt/wall hanging. One triangle for each hike. Right now, it’s in pieces, the triangles sewn into squares waiting to be stitched together. Seams like a story in action. Watch this space for updates on my progress!
Threads of Thought
Thanks for following along this year. You may be wondering…Would she do it again? Would she repeat the challenge in 2025? Hmmm. I think I need to process my 2024 accomplishment first. But the bigger question…will you join the 2025 challenge? https://www.52hikechallenge.com/
News Flash!
UNTIL ITLAY: A TRAVELER’S MEMOIR was recently listed in the Arizona Daily Star’s top ten memorable books by local authors in 2024! One of ten “noteworthy titles that made a lasting impression on the reviewers.” You can get your copy here!
