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| I had to take a first hike selfie. |
The little computer inside my Fitbit has been on fire this
past week as we tour the area. We actually only arrived last Monday, but it has
been nearly a week now. We leave on Thursday and I am already feeling the
hunger pains to come back to California again. Next year we have promised
ourselves we will finally get to LA, this trip has been all about desert life!
Now there will be a ton to talk about in the blog over the coming days about our stay at our new Cali-home in The Lakes Country Club, but today is all about this fit chick’s first hike!
Yes, today I went on my first hike. I have NEVER been much
of an outdoorsy girl so it will come as a huge shock to many who know me that I
did not hate hiking. To be clear, I am not in love with hiking. Far from it
actually, I had a near meltdown in the 89-degree heat after hour number two
today, but it eventually passed when we finally arrived at our halfway destination.
Let’s go back a few steps before we get into my near tear
emotional moment. This trip has not exactly been what I expected it to be, I am
a routine gal who works two jobs and hauls her ass to the gym at least 5 days a
week. I am not great at taking time outs. I usually pump out more blogs while I
am on vacation then when I am at home and I usually have a major side project
to complete while I am off the clock. This year I have been approached and
started a side project but have been off the blog train until now.
Today’s hike (my first hike ever) took us to Agua Caliente
Indian Reserve where we actually did two hikes. The first was very easy (and
enjoyable) it took us 30 minutes in the sun to trek around Andreas Canyon. I
really did not mind this part of the hike, I even felt like I could get on-board
with hiking while doing this walk. Then I saw a family with small children all
wearing dresses managing battling the rocks with a stroller and figured out
that things were way too easy to get let off the hook with a quick hike.
No, we could not hike where strollers could kind of roll; we
needed more of a challenge and for the $9 a person charge to get into the
Reserve Hiking Trails I think we all felt we had not gotten our monies worth
with a 30 minute stroll. Both of the hikes were surrounded by beautiful desert scenery, but $9 a person is pretty crazy! We were in for a bit more of a challenge on the second part of our hike.
We then went off in search of the Seven Sisters Waterfall
and Murray Canyon. After about an hour and two miles we reached the waterfall.
Here is where the near meltdown occurred. I was under the impression that we
were on a two-mile hike, only doing double what we had already done. I was not
really tired; I was kind of just looking forward to being out of the scorching
winter heat (yes, it is pretty hot here right now for Canadians) and getting
some lunch. We started the day rather late at 10:40am and were now at the
afternoon sun’s mercy. When I was informed that we were not at the end of our
journey and that we had to go all the way back the way we came I was a little
heartbroken. It all worked out though, we shaved over ten minutes off our
return trip because we all were so hungry and hot.
I am kind of a baby when it comes to heat; I have had heat
stroke far too many times to forget how horrible it feels to get too much sun.
I usually get it once a year and I try to ensure I do not lose a day of
vacation day for it because I swear it feels twice as bad. For me the sickness is horrible, my
mentality is unbearable and I need to sleep for at least half a day to feel
better. I swear it feels the same way the Wicked Witch of the West feels when
she is exposed to water….
Anyways, it was a great challenge and an interesting way to
spend a day. I would do both hikes again, but maybe earlier in the day and not
both at the same time. I would also bring snacks; I’m generally a pretty happy
camper when there are snacks to be had. For more on the Murray Canyon and Seven Sisters Waterfall (from a respected hiker) click here.
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I have given my Fitbit a break for the rest of the day; I am currently at 15,488 steps for the day and took 11,003 steps on the hikes. Here is my hike break down:
Steps: 11,003
Distance: 8km
Calories Burned: 890
As much as I love my Fitbit I know that is an estimate and not 100% accurate. But, compared to a full day on my feet waitressing that is not too shabby! If you would like to connect as Fitbit motivational buddies click here.
Now I have a question for you, we have explored three
fitness options so far on this trip I want to know which you would pick.
A)
$9 a day hiking
B)
$10 a day access to a senior’s country club
workout room
C)
$15 a day access to a busy full service fitness
club
There is lots more to come from our California Adventure 2015!
