Making Strides

Come join me and help me get back into some kind of hiking shape. My legs are still trying to remember what hiking even feels like, so this 1.8 mile loop at U Mound is a perfect way to ease back in.

This trail is considered easy, with about 360 feet of elevation gain. It’s a popular spot during the day, but at night it turns into a quiet little escape with great views of the city lights.

This will be a night hike, so please bring a flashlight or headlamp. It gets extremely dark out here and having your own light makes a big difference.

Dress in layers because the temps drop fast in the foothills. Bring water to stay hydrated. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

We will start at 6pm and the area closes at 7pm, so we will be out right on time.

See you on the trails.

Let’s kick off the new year with something easy and relaxing. We’ll be heading out to the Golden Open Space Mesa Trail Loop for a smooth start to 2026.

This is a 2.1 mile loop with very little elevation gain, perfect as I ease back into hiking shape after the holidays and recovery. We’ll be out from 10am to 11:30am on Saturday, January 3. It’s an open area with great views, so dress warm in the morning and bring some water.

I’m looking forward to starting the year with all of you.
See you on the trails.

Making Strides Goes International: Nice, France 🇫🇷
🗓 September 5 to 11, 2026

We’re heading to the French Riviera for our first-ever international adventure, and it’s going to be unforgettable.

This trip is flexible. It’s not a traditional group tour, so everyone will book their own flight and hotel through the same travel site: TripMasters.com. Your flights and accommodations may vary depending on what you choose some of us might end up in the same hotels or flights, and some might not. Either way, we’ll all be using the same site and platform to book.

You’ll have time to explore at your own pace. There will be space for solo adventures, relaxing moments, and spontaneous decisions. Everyone going is a grown adult, and you’re free to do your own thing but this is still a group trip. That means there will be group activities, shared meals, and opportunities to experience things together if you want to. The heart of Making Strides has always been about connection, and that won’t change just because we’re abroad.

We’re traveling in early September for three big reasons:
✔️ Kids will be back in school, so tourism won’t be as intense
✔️ The weather in Nice will still be warm and beautiful
✔️ Prices tend to be lower during “shoulder season”

What’s included in the group structure:
✅ Mandatory first-night dinner. I’ll choose a central location based on where everyone is staying
✅ Mandatory daily check-ins. Even if we split up, I need to know everyone is safe
✅ Mandatory final-night dinner. A chance to reflect and celebrate together

Additional info:
• We are still a hiking group, so yes, we’ll be hiking
• I’ll post my own flight and hotel info as a reference
• A few pre-trip meetings will be held once enough people sign up
• I’ll share my personal itinerary and anyone who wants to join is welcome
• We’ll try to pair up travelers on flights and during downtime for comfort and safety
• Solo exploring is okay, but for safety please try to stay in pairs when possible

I’ve used TripMasters before for trips to Amsterdam and Barcelona. Everything ran smoothly flights, hotels, airport transfers, and excursions. It’s a reliable platform and makes planning easy.

💵 Estimated cost for flight and accommodations: $1,000 to $4,000 depending on your flight type and hotel choice
🍽 Food is not included

✈️ There are only 10 spots for this one. Once the booking link goes up, we’ll get started with planning.

Let’s do this.
🌍 Message me directly if you’re interested or have questions.