Hike of the Week

I think it’s time to launch into the actuality of this would be could be advice page(s). But before I get started I have to again nail down and define what exactly the goal of this page is. I want you as the reader to think unequivocally as the “Lazy Hiker” as the end all be all of whatever this is. So what is  this weekly engagement or what’s it gonna be?

 As I said before, I want to keep proverbial “laziness” as the centralized theme when exploring outdoor activities. What I mean is, think accessible, think “doable,” think could my debilitated mother (go back a few blogs) handle this and would it be worth her effort to do so?

To accomplish this I am going to take from my own outdoor hikes, bikes, boats, and the likes both local and maybe sometimes a few from the manifest destiny files in order to steer you, the reader, toward some of the best and most “doable” (see above definition) ones. I will then make my weekly suggested activity (hopefully every Monday) for you, said reader.

The first one I chose is a favorite for a variety of reasons. One of which is that, if done correctly, you can achieve a whole new level of laziness that your basement bound stoner brother would be proud of.

Recently, I went to Elbel golf course located in South Bend, Indiana with the intention of renting a golf cart and exploring the grounds. I was told the golf carts are for golfers which I am emphatically not so I was denied the aforementioned cart. In order to circumvent this most terrible of occurrences a second time I departed and returned with a set of clubs borrowed from a confidant of mine. Enough of that, I left, I came back, I lied, I got the cart. So tip no. 1, lie. Also bring clubs (your dad should have some in the garage). After procuring the cart I spent the next few hours exploring the grounds as subtly as possible.

The views at Elbel are amazing, not to mention it is one of the rarest marshes in Indiana. There is so much wildlife (including many, many Sandhill cranes) that one might think they were at a zoo sans prison bars. And again, you can accomplish all this sightseeing at the cost of a cart rental which I highly recommend because if you’re going to walk the whole place, then you’re defeating the purpose of this whole thing. LAZY hiker. (I was really tempted to say “out” here instead of just a “.” but I just don’t think I’m ready to be that guy.)

If  it's Monday and you're reading this and it did its job of compelling you to go on this weeks suggested activity, do me a favor and comment below.

If you enjoy my blog, click this link to find more interesting hikes in the Michiana area.

Photo: Myself

The Journey To Simplicity(ville?)

In this often crazy, sometimes wild and mixed up world, we often strive for understanding. Sometimes we achieve that understanding. Sometimes we don't. Sometimes, hopefully more often than not, we find solace in simplicity.

Simplicity has a certain interconnection to it. To me (and hopefully to you if your choosing to read this blog) nature holds within itself a certain simplicity. I want to be able to capture that easily achievable simplicity through nature in these blog posts.

As was introduced, I want to help reveal to readers that  outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, boating, etc, are not and should not be limited to the athletically "superior." Again I say simplicity! I want to reveal those laid back outdoor experiences that everyone can enjoy.

I want to consider as much as possible my own parameters for laying out outdoor advice. I fear, and please if I am leading down this road then correct me, that I may be so centrally focused on my perceived definition of simplicity that I may miss giving some good layouts of hikes (etc). Like, just as a "for instance," I don't want to assume that the "lazy hiker" only wants to be outside for 30 mins at a time and be carried to the destination.

In order to avoid pigeonholing like this I want to include as many local places as possible. That way, if readers are indeed local themselves, they can help steer the lazy hiker. In the future if I suggest an outdoor activity and its to long, to short, not as appealing as I thought, etc please, please, please let me know below by commenting on the post.

Image credit: Simplicity sign

Introduction

There was a time, say a little over a decade ago, that a lady in her mid 40's enjoyed copious amounts of hiking. Long hikes, short hikes, tough hikes, terrainy hikes, long bikes (rides, go with it, it rhymes and is applicable) and the like(s). That women was (...is...) my mother Carol. Then, a little less than over a decade ago, my mother Carol had an accident.
After Carols accident (veeeerrry broken leg) Carol could not go on the aforementioned long hikes and bikes that she quite thoroughly enjoyed. This upset Carol and for quite awhile Carol didn't hike at all. That, and that alone (okay maybe not that alone) is the soul driving inspiration for this blog mischievously titled "The Lazy Hiker."
I started thinking what a shame it was for people limited by whatever it may be to have to avoid the assumed strenuous activity of hiking and biking. Then I started reflecting on a lot of my favorite hikes and bikes both local and national (some even international). It dawned on me, a lot of my favorite hikes I barely broke a sweat on. Many of which even the laziest of hikers would have no problem attacking.
So therein lies the purpose of this blog. I want to put out some of my places both past and present, that hold within them the most outdoor fulfillment with the least amount of physical fulfillment. That's not to say that I might throw in a bit of a challenger every once in awhile but for the most part I want these hikes/bikes Carol tested, Carol

approved. Carol's my mom, did I mention Carol?
So if this sounds like something you would be interested in, or your in fact Carol, feel free to post in the comments.









                                                                               FYI above picture....not Carol. Couldn't get the                                                                                       expressed written consent from the Carol.