Following My Interests... Again

When I was a teen I belonged to a hiking club. Every couple of weekends we would ride up to the State park and go on 5-10-15 mile hikes together. There was a Hike-Master who kept us teens out of trouble, we took a packed lunch and plenty of water and a small first aid kit with us. And always a spare pair of socks.

When I  became a parent, I, as many young parents do, had to give up my hiking days for diaper changing, extra laundry, and all the extra expenses that go with a growing family. And I did it with joy in my heart because raising my babies was much more important than  going on hikes with my friends.

Well, now my babies are all grown, I live in a different country- and I am seriously out of shape. I want to explore the country I've moved to, but  hubby doesn't like to drive and in the shape I am now- I couldn't walk  to work(a 7 minute drive and 2 miles away), let alone do a 5-10-15 mile hike.

So I was watching a TV show the other night about Britain's Best Walks with Julia Bradbury and I saw episode 4 & 5. The 6 mile Countryside Walk, and the 6 mile Riverside Walk- (that one is also a coastal walk.).
I haven't been able to stop thinking about it and I've become obsessed with taking it up again.
So, I did some research- I'm buying a pair of new hiking boots for my birthday end of the month- and I'm already training for my first hike by upping my Fit-Bit goals and changing my eating plan up. I think I will be ready for one of the 6 miles hikes mentioned above for late summer or early autumn.

My Bezzie in the UK, Lisa, has agreed to do these walks with me, (and hubby and his dad, if they choose to join me). I'm so glad because we seriously don't get to spend enough time together anymore.  My ultimate goal is to someday hike the entire 32/34/36 miles of the Sandstone Trail. I'm going to say that's my 5 Year Plan Goal.  But for now- it's going to be a daily walk- short ones to begin with then adding to the distance every day, until I can walk to and from work every weekday during the summer months. Then I know I will be ready to tackle a full fledged actual hiking trip. I dont want these to be rush trips. I want to be able to take it at a nice easy pace and be able to enjoy being in The Great Outdoors again.

Oh the joy of being out and about in nature again is making me smile!!!

If anyone has any suggestions as to a good waterproof medium weight hiking boot with good ankle support, please let me know. (Or notwaterproof- I can waterproof them myself) I'm looking for quality that will last at least three years, but I really don't want to go over £100 for them. (That's my "pocket money" for the month). I did think maybe Military Jungle boots might work well too. Thoughts? I just want to go ahead and get the hiking boots so I can get them nicely broken in and used to wearing them.
I have a good sturdy suitable backpack already.  And a First Aid Kit as well.

So that's me. Deciding to do something I want to do. Like it or not- here I come.