Author Archives: jeninichols

Hiking is for your good health

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A simple walk in nature shows measurable health benefits, physicians say – so much so that a new nationwide initiative called “ParkRx for Health” has doctors literally writing prescriptions for walks in the great outdoors.

ParkRx is a collaborative program between health-care providers and park professionals designed to improve the well-being of Sonoma County’s residents through regular exercise, fresh air and closeness with nature. Through the program, local health care professionals “prescribe” low-impact outdoor activities, such as nature walks.

Participating health care providers include Sonoma Valley Hospital plus Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health and St. Joseph Health (Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital).

The Sonoma Overlook Trail is one of the featured hiking trails in the ParkRx program. We love hiking the Overlook Trail for our good health. . .hike to the top and celebrate your good health. . . .like this hiker!

For more information about the ParkRx program, go to http://parkrx-sonomacounty.org/about/

Overlook Trail founder is honored

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fullsizeoutput_7196Karen Collins, who helped establish the Overlook Trail, has been honored as Sonoma County Woman of the Year for the Third Senate District. Karen has made vital conservation efforts in Sonoma and we appreciate all she does for us hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Karen has long been active in local civic and community service. She spearheaded the community effort to preserve the land to the north of town for hikers instead of having a luxury hotel built. She co-chaired the task force that created the trail and is still involved with the volunteer stewards and maintenance and use of the trail.

She currently chairs the Sonoma County Regional Parks and Recreation Commission, which oversees the County’s outdoor recreation programs and is also on the board of Jack London Park Partners, the nonprofit group that operates Jack London State Historical Park. In 2014, she was named the Sonoma Valley “Conservationist of the Year.”

We are lucky to have a dedicated person like Karen that supports the Overlook Trail and outdoor recreation in Sonoma County.

Congratulations Karen.

The Movies and Hiking

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Filed under Hiking, Nature

While hiking the Overlook trail, I’ve been thinking about movies that I enjoyed that had hiking as the central plot.

IMG_3111Wild is a story of an inexperienced hiker who decides to hike solo the 1,100 mile Pacific Crest Trail. She wanted to drive out her demons after the death of her mother and her own addiction. With sheer determination –and some help from REI replacing hiking boots—she made the entire distance and experienced what many hikers know—get out in nature and your problems diminish. I may not be driving out demons but every time I go on a hike I feel better afterwards. Being out in the great outdoors lifts my spirits.

A Walk in the Woods is a tale of two older friends who challenge themselves to hike the legendary Appalachian Trail. They aren’t really tackling any weighty issues—the movie is really the story of two grumpy old men dealing with mishaps, sharing confidences (some of them pretty racy!) and building a bond between them while hiking. I find that walking with a friend is comforting and fun and this movie reminded me of how hiking with another person can create a strong bond with your hiking buddy.

There are many movies that have hiking as part of the plot, I’m much more aware of them since I’ve become a hiker. I’m even reflecting on hiking that may not be central to the plot –think Julie Andrews hiking with the seven Von Trap family members out of Austria to safety at the end of the movie Sound of Music, a multiple Academy Award winner.
What movies have you watched lately that made you think, “Forget sitting here watching a movie, I’m going outdoors to hike!”