The best way for me to enjoy hiking is alone with only my dog for company and to walk for several hours. It takes a little time to reach the ‘hiking sensation’, where I forget time and place and feel somehow grounded – in contact with my surroundings. I feel I have ‘arrived’ when the scents of the plants and trees have reached my consciousness; the magical scents of mastic trees, strawberry trees and pines and the almost paralyzing scents of herbs such as sage and thyme. When I am no longer thinking but just walking with my attention on the landscape, immersed in its scents and colours, then I feel I’m hiking.

When I walk through dense woods surrounded by tall trees in the beautiful nature of Alonnisos island I always get the feeling of being in a cave. It’s somehow like being hidden inside the forest and it creates a thrilling sensation. If the trip continues up on a hill with a wonderful view then the experience changes and the feeling of seeing the whole world from up there fills my heart. If this nice feeling is accompanied by the sound of bells from half wild goats jumping around on the rocks then the height of sensations is reached.

There is a small archeological area on a top of a hill not so far from where I live. When I go there I start following a beautiful earth road and then I continue on the path which rises steeply up through brushwood and trees. Higher when I get out of the brushwood I walk along flat terraces full of green grass. Then opens up an astonishing view and I throw myself on the grass to chill out and enjoy the view of the steep slopes towards the sea. The exciting thing about visiting undeveloped archeological sites is that you can let your fantasy run free. The remains of fortification walls are still intact here with boulders cut at square angles and with small indentations forming a pattern that according to historical sources is characteristic of the Greek classical period 500 BC. So they were built more than 2500 years ago! It seems like nothing has happened ever since in that area, as if the people suddenly broke up and left. With a little imagination I am back in that time feeling the historical whirring of wings. I think this is possibly because I have reached this place on foot struggling up through brushwood and steep paths. The spirit is intact.

On the way down I follow a path through a narrow ravine and when the landscape opens up the path continues down bending its way through high grass. Here the smell of the sea reaches my nose and my psychological condition changes again. The sound and the smell of the sea are as welcome as all the other sounds and scents that I have enjoyed along the tour. Reaching the beach I rest on the sand and as a person who loves to use my body I enjoy how my tired muscles are slightly aching after the long trip – meanwhile the dog is taking a swim in the sea.

Now that the weather is starting to warm up, we start thinking about getting outdoors and enjoying nature. One of the outdoor activities we think about is going hiking. What better way to enjoy the great outdoors than to start planning a hiking trip and what you will need for that trip.

Spring is such a beautiful time of year, the Winter is over and the weather is warming up. The flowers are blooming and the birds are singing and nesting. It is an ideal time to hit the trails and breathe the fresh air. Depending on the part of the country you live in, you may have been cooped up indoors all during the Winter. It is exhilarating to know that you can now go hiking and enjoy the fresh air, and once more be connected to our beautiful natural world!

Hiking is wonderful exercise. There are so many health benefits, no matter what age you are. If you like to walk, why not expand your horizons by walking on a trail? As you walk down that trail, you may encounter wildlife and birds you wouldn’t see elsewhere. In this country we are blessed to have many different terrains. There are mountains, foothills, prairies, coastal flat lands, and ancient forests to choose from. There are many national parks and wildlife refuges that truly demonstrate the many natural wonders. It is also an educational experience for our children, who learn about not only the natural beauty of our world, but get the physical exercise and fresh air to keep them healthy. As adults, we can set a good example. It is much better than sitting inside doing computer or video games all day!

I have always loved being outdoors since I was a child. In my own experience, having grown up in Florida, I have walked the trails in the forests north of town, as well as the woodlands south of town and closer to the coast. Each location has a different terrain and therefore offers different types of birds and wildlife. One of my favorite places to walk is at a wildlife refuge, complete with its piney woods and salt marshes. I have many memories through the years of my experiences while hiking. It is my hope that many people will have the same experience, it is truly uplifting!. Added to that,there are so many quality products these days, such as backpacks, hiking poles, and binoculars, that add ease to the hiking experience. How does it get any better than that!

If you are planning to go hiking, please come on over and check out this website, [http://www.grandoutdoorsproducts.com], and you will find everything you need, at a good price and with good quality. So get out there and enjoy hiking in the beautiful outdoors!