10 Ways to Improve Your Quality of Life

#5:  Debate something with a friend.


Situation:  You have coffee with a friend every Wednesday.  Next time you meet, suggest a debate on a topic you are both familiar with but you share different views.

Agree to a few guidelines.  Raised voices are ok...no screaming.  Remember, healthy debate creates tension which you may need practice controlling.  An argument can be constructive as well.  Agree to continue each side of the situation unless one of you is annoyed to the point of losing control.  Either party can call a halt to the "debate."  

If you don't have a person to debate, challenge yourself.  Pick an issue you feel passionate about.  Then ask, "What about another position?"  Go to the bookstore or library and research the issue.  Find what political, or religious influence that ignited the issue.  What happened after?  How did the issue change society?  How did it change you?

Either way, you will exercise your brain to the point where you may find an entirely new approach to an issue.  You may also learn more about a friend than you ever expected.  Plus, you may have one less regret in life.

 

   

Be Healthy. Get Active. Hike!

Many adults (Seniors) in the Denver Metro area set goals for themselves, then go out and shatter them again and again.  In a few months these dedicated men and women will be back on trail, enjoying the mountains and foothills in the region.

These are people who ‘get it’ when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle.  They eagerly awake early on Tuesday, and make their way to the Aurora Center for Active Adults (ACAA).  There they board a bus for a scenic ride to a trailhead somewhere in the Rockies.  Hiking for these backcountry explorers, comes naturally.  It’s an activity with no age limit attached.  The oldest in this group is 80.  NOTE: You can read her story on this blog.  Under Blog Archive at right, click on October and look for Profiles, 

Although many are retired, a number remain in the workforce.  They all find time in their busy schedules to get outdoors with the High Country Hikers, a name members adopted this season.  Some actually take the day off work to hike.

This is one of many organized hiking groups in the Denver Metro area.  There are groups for ‘Women Only,’ groups focused on ‘People with Pets’, and there are ‘Over 40’ groups.  The fact is, hiking is good for your health.  It’s safe to assume, there is a group for everyone.

Reasons you should consider hiking as a primary form of exercise:

·        Hiking reduces blood pressure, risk of arthritis, osteoporosis, heart disease, and symptoms of depression.

·        Hiking increases mental health, stamina, muscle strength, bone health and energy level.

·        Hiking makes you more independent because you will depend on yourself rather than the conveniences at home.

·        Experience Colorado backcountry most people will never see.

·        Meet and learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the outdoors.

·        Transportation to (with a pit stop) and from (with a coffee/ice cream stop) the trailhead is provided.

Has this ever happpened to you?

In your efforts to justify a plan you have been developing for months, in your head, you spend hours writing out details for a four-week-long back country trip.  All of it on stained napkins (they are not waterproof but they pack down well) found at the bottom of your pack.  Five topo maps are open on the floor and aligned neatly across two of three bays in the garage.  You print the emergency family, closest hospital ER, and what you think are back country ranger district contact numbers, in the upper right corner of the main topo map.  When you look closer, you realize one of the numbers is that of an old college flame (last heard she was following some rock band across Europe).  You decide to keep the number in the event you become lonely and desperate.  Then add the following in bold letters, "Do not call this number for a minimum of 30 days from the date this note is found," it's definitely time to go hiking.

Season Wrap-up Coming

Watch this blog for a wrap-up of the 2011 hiking season.  That is, the season of the High Country Hikers.  The group has approximately 35 registered hikers;12 to 15 of them in the core group.

We had our first annual pot lunch gathering last week.  It provided everyone the opportunity to get out one more time, with their fellow hiking friends and socialize for a few hours.  Great food and conversation was followed by the year in photographs presentation.  Attendees played hiking trivia, plus a bit of recognition was handed out.  Members were also asked to provide feedback on a number of survey questions.  The most important topic was how the hiking program offered by ACAA could be improved.  Responses will be provided to the ACAA planning committee.

FYI...To those who requested a CD of the "Year in Photographs, 2011" presentation, or prints and enlargements, you can pick up your order at ACAA beginning this Friday, November 11th.    

Sand Beach Lake Trail - Milestone Hike #2

'A path in the snow' is how I am likely to remember this hike rated as moderate.  We arrived a bit late at the Wild Basin TH (8,312'), due to the usual gas/pit/snack stop.  As we laced our boots and cinched in our packs, we could tell the air was much colder than when we left Aurora.  Unsure what we may encounter in terms of existing snow plus fresh snowfall from an incoming storm, Ed and I strapped our snowshoes to our packs.

Ed leads the way on what would become a slick path of snow and ice.

Luisa and Beth, both active members of the High Country Hikers, were excited and anxious to get on trail.  It was the first Winter hike for both women.  

Luisa, Ed, and Beth make steady progress.

On trail, it felt good to be out in the Wild Basin.  Elevation gain began almost immediately.  Steep sections were many, flat areas...not so much.  Just over a mile from the TH, we passed the first of several back country campsites.  Trail continued to climb through pine forests.  The physical challenge was almost constant.  At times, my thigh and calf muscles burned from deep inside.

Beth steps off trail for a break before taking on another steep slope.

One of the back country campsites we passed today.

As we continued to climb, what began as patches of snow, became 6 inches, then 8 inches deep.  The last time I poked one of my poles in the white powder, it measured 10 inches.  That was at approximately 10,050' elevation, and 3.8 miles from the TH.

Luisa tried using poles today, and was glad she did.  Ed adjusts his pack. 

Snowfall continues to increase as we climb.

 By now, we had been on trail, climbing over 3.5 hrs.  Ed scouted ahead and saw nothing of the Lake so we decided to take lunch.  Due to the late hour of the day, an incoming storm, and over 3.5 miles of descent on snow and ice, the right thing to do was to return to the TH.  It was imperative we get out of the mountain before sunset.

Beth on lunch break.

Ed has a quick snack to refuel before shouldering his pack.

On our descent, light snow started to fall.  A fitting end to a challenging but memorable hike.
Beth thoroughly enjoyed her first Winter hike.  Her smile says it best!

A happy hiker.