One of my favorite childhood memories is my dad taking my brother and me for winter hikes in Mill Creek Park, near where we lived in Youngstown, Ohio. Sometimes my dad would pack hotdogs and buns in a backpack, and we would stop next to the stream we hiked along, and he would build a little fire, and we would sit on rocks and roast hotdogs on sticks. I think he also packed hot chocolate in a thermos. With a little snow on the ground, the park was beautiful and peaceful and cozy.

Over a year ago I went on one of the early hikes organized by TSWRJ. I was walking at the head of the pack with Helene Sacks, who I didn’t know but enjoyed chatting with. At some point, either that day or shortly thereafter, Helene asked me if I would be interested in leading monthly hikes. I said yes.

I was not familiar with the paths in Rock Creek Park so I purchased the best map I could find from the Nature Center store and in the early months I tried to find different paths to walk every month. All of the hikes went well enough except one. One month I made the mistake of taking hikers on a path that was very difficult and much longer than I had anticipated. Everyone was very polite about it, but I felt terrible and some ladies understandably never returned. After that I made a point of hiking every new path myself alone before I introduced it to the group.

At some point I had exhausted all the paths from the Nature Center and formed opinions about which paths were more interesting, harder, or easier, than others.  I had also learned my audience, so to speak—their pace, how far and how much time they want to spend. I found one hiking loop that is a little less than three miles, and takes the group about 1-1/2 hours, no more than 1-3/4 hours, including rest stops. The entire path is wide and not difficult, it goes down and along the creek, and there is only one steep incline, on the way back. At some point I decided this is an almost perfect hike from the Nature Center for our group, and the group agreed it was great and there was no need to switch things up. Walking the same path once a month helps you notice all the changes in the trees and fauna from the month before. Once in a while someone spots something remarkable—a Blue Heron in the creek, or a wasp’s nest the size of gallon jug of milk.

We meet every month at the same place because I want to make it very easy for people to attend. If you come regularly you know where to go and how long it will take to get there so you’re not late. You learn what to wear and if you really need water and poles (most don’t). We’re always back at our cars by 10:45. At some point I may do a special hike at a different location, but I haven’t found anything as lovely as the hike we already do.

I think my goal for the hiking group is to have this time every month simply to connect with nature and make friends. I’ve made a lot of friends.

 

– Liz Brenner