This year Melissa and I want to do a lot of hiking and backpacking. While most people might confine these activities to the warmer months, I love hiking in the winter. The crisp cold air and snow-covered landscapes invigorate me in a way summer hiking does not. Also, as an individual who struggles with overheating, the cold air helps regulate my temperature. I still struggle with the correct layering, but I hope that I will learn by doing it in the next couple of months.

For our first winter hike of the year, we choose a short hike not too far from our apartment that we could do after work. Our Friday finished up a little earlier than usual and we were out of the house by 3:15 p.m. When we got to the trailhead we put on our layers and spikes and were on the trail before 4:00 p.m. We were racing the sunset on our hike. Therefore, our pace was a bit faster than normal. We tend to take our time hiking. I enjoy drinking in the sights and appreciating the nature around me, and Melissa does too. Due to this being a steep trail and our speed, I was SWEATING just five minutes into the hike. (Still need to work on that layering). We reached the point around 5:00 p.m., snapped a couple of pictures, and then raced dusk down the trail.

Though the pace of this hike was faster than we would normally go, it was nice to get outside for a couple of hours after a long work week. The views were stunning and the cold air was refreshing. I think hiking after the weekday will become a more common way we end our Friday.

How do you wind down at the end of a workday?