Thomas Paine's Reasonable Nature Hike, Revived!

"As I walked out one morning, to breathe the air around Tom Paine's..."
- Bob Dylan, "As I Walked Out One Morning" from John Wesley Harding

There was a diminishing volume of attendees, and I needed a bit of a break from organizing it. I would like to go back to Big Woods State Park near Nerstrand. There is a fee for entrance to the park, but if you have a permit you are golden.

Some people like to sleep in on Sundays, but I never really do. I like to get outside, stretch, and breathe the air. I want to commune with Nature, the cathedral that evolved on this 3rd rock. Minnesota and Wisconsin have so much natural beauty, that sticking to the cities is as bad as sticking to a single congregation. So, let's get out, and walk and look around!

I joined a hiking Meetup group when I returned from Arizona to Minnesota and there are several weekly hikes available; but I found that hikers in those groups tend to Power Hike. That's fun for many people who see hiking as their main aerobic exercise. But it does seem to me to be ableist. Many people with joint pains, or who rely on canes, or just need to be able take a more relaxed pace, are left out. In order to accommodate both the slow stroll, as well as the fast hikers among us, I like the idea of setting a hike by time rather than distance and we will meet back at the cars at a specific time.

I also like to explore different places so the idea is to choose hikes within a two hour driving distance but at varying locations. So, while we may go to Nerstrand/Big Woods one month, the next will be in another location such as the Kinnickinnic State Park trails in Wisconsin. There are paved trails in Minnesota, and I would love to hike those along with members who rely on wheelchairs or otherwise might avoid trails. As the hike grows, we can find more locations.

Some warnings and caveats:

Bring water, comfortable shoes, a rain poncho or some other thing that will protect you in case of downpour, insect repellent and a band-aid or two will be a good in case you get a scrape. There are no medical professionals in the woods waiting to stitch you up. Don't forget sunscreen, something to snack on if you need it. I have a hiking stick that looks like a wizard's staff in case anyone tries to tell me I shall not pass and on some trails I have found that a staff is useful for maintaining balance. If you wear hiking boots, I recommend a pair of sandals or sneakers; something to change into after the hike.

If there is interest, I think that a lunch following the hike is a great way to get to know people, too. For the first hike, I will probably leave my dog at home, and then we can talk about whether to make it a pet-friendly hike.

Since some of the hikes will be in State Parks with fees, car-pooling is a great option to save money and also a chance to chat on the way.