Introductions are in order

     Last summer I started walking, which increased to occasional jogs. I added onto that intermittent hikes. Throw in occasional letter-boxing adventure and that was my recreation for the summer. But with my ever-changing boredom I knew that I would need to keep myself entertained enough to stick with it. The brilliant idea that perhaps I would write, take pictures, or relay the results of my endeavors for others to browse and perhaps find encouragement to do the same in their own areas of the world crossed my mind a couple weeks ago. Not that my writing, photos, or personal accomplishments are remarkable enough to warrant attention from others, but at least it presented the potential to start a conversation or an exchange of ideas and stories.

     I also know I have to set goals for myself, to which everyone can hold me accountable. As such, this is the indulgent part of this pursuit in blogging. The three goals I have identified thus far (and are subject to change):

1. I will hike at least fifteen new trails between now and the end of September 2012.

2. I will document every new trail I expolore.

3. I will leave Connecticut for at least 2 of the hikes.

     Now the definition of a hike, for me, is simply a walk in a wooded area. I am not looking to explore Kilimanjaro or climb Everest. I hope only that others share experiences and provide feedback along the way.
     A few of the tools I use to find and document my hikes are my phone, the program RunKeeper, and a book that I am eager to complete: New England Hiking The Complete Guide to More than 400 of the Best Hikes in New England, by Jacqueline Tourville. Some might argue that technology has no place in nature, but I embrace the opportunities that would otherwise not be available without it. RunKeeper is a program I use to track where I go, how long it takes, and analyze different facets of that adventure. (Subsequent entries will certainly demonstrate some features of the program I am particularly fond.) And the book, New England Hiking, is something I have enjoyed reading in the colder months, dreaming of the ability to explore treks through places I wouldn't have known existed without the book, all of which are within a few hours of home. (Ok, Acadia National Park is probably a little more than a few hours, but it's not far enough to not make it a long weekend.)
     I would love to hear others' ideas for programs for the phone, books, trails, or anything else! Leave comments below.