Hiking - Much More Than Just Exercise

Many people think that hiking is just another form of exercise. While this is technically true, hiking is also much more. The first thing that makes hiking more than just exercise is the fact that hiking takes place in nature. There is something very powerful about nature and being in nature. I'm one of those people who believe that if more people spent more time in nature, we would have many fewer problems in this world. Many of our greatest thinkers believed in the power of nature as well. Albert Einstein said of nature, "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."
Hiking affords a person the opportunity to be in nature, which in and of itself makes it much more than just exercise. Hiking can be done in any outdoor setting, but I personally love hiking in mountains. Hiking to the top of a mountain is incredibly rewarding. Not only because you hiked to the top, but once there you are usually rewarded with a view that isn't possible anywhere else. Even from an airplane, views are different that from standing on top of a mountain that you just climbed. This seems to be one of those laws of nature that can't be fooled with. The bottom line is that the view is never as good as it is when you hike to the top of the mountain.
Not only does hiking involve you receiving unequalled access to views of nature, it also affords you incredible emotional feeling. For me, there is no drug that you can take (and I've tried a lot of them) that will give you the incredible feeling of accomplishment that finishing a good hike gives you. And this feeling costs nothing. Nothing, other than your time and effort. What could be a better deal than that?
So the next time that you get the opportunity, go for a hike. Spend some time hiking in nature and let her help you with anything that you may need. I think William Blake put it beautifully, when he said, "The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and deformity... and some scarce see nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself." Amen.

Trevor Kugler - Co-founder of JRWfishing.com Trevor has more than 15 years of business experience and 25 years of fishing experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country - Montana.
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Glacier National Park - Hikers Paradise

If hiking is your forte, Glacier National Park is the place for you. Located in beautiful Northwest Montana, the views and natural beauty of the park are hard to beat anywhere in the United States. With over 700 mikes of trails, Glacier National Park offers opportunities for not only short hikes, but extended backpacking trips as well. Although the park is open all year long, because of weather considerations, the best time for hikers to visit the park is from late May to early September.
Glacier National Park offers hikers some of the best mountains scenery that can be found anywhere in the world. Plenty of waterfalls, streams, and lakes make finding water to cool off in a breeze. As a matter of fact, there are more than 120 named lakes within the parks boundaries. How many glaciers are in Glacier National Park? As of 2005, only 27 actual glaciers remain in Glacier National Park.
The chances of seeing wildlife while hiking is very good in Glacier National Park. With the remote nature of the park, wildlife abounds. Some of the wildlife that is encountered on a fairly regular basis would include: Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, white tailed & mule deer, moose, elk, black bear, and even the occasional grizzly bear. Most hikers choose to carry bear spray, just in case they startle a grizzly bear. Obviously smaller mammals such as squirrels and gophers abound as well. Many species of birds can be found as well for those hikers interested in bird watching.
For the hiker, Glacier National Park is literally a paradise. Offering everything hikers looks for as far as terrain is concerned. The park is also home to Lake Macdonald. A very large, cold, and pristine mountain lake that is as gorgeous as anything that you've ever laid your eyes on. A couple hors worth of hiking can result is some incredible views of this and other beautiful lakes. It's important to be honest with yourself before heading out on a trail within the park. A trail that has 2000 vertical feet of elevation gain is not an easy trail. It may be nearly impossible for those out of shape or who is not use to hiking. You'll have a much better time hiking in Glacier National Park by knowing your limits. Pat attention to the degree of difficulty of the trails you choose to hike. There are many easy, scenic hikes in Glacier Park that are not much more difficult that walking down the block so there is no reason to put yourself in any danger.
The bottom line is that if you're a hiker, Glacier National Park is the place for you. For the avid or even beginning hiker, Glacier National Park will resemble heaven on earth in more ways than one. Our national parks are truly a treasure, and in many ways Glacier is the crowned jewel.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of http://www.JRWfishing.com He has more than 15 years of business experience and 25 years of fishing experience. He currently raises his 3 year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country…..Montana.
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Glacier National Park – A Hikers Paradise

If you like to hike, Glacier National Park is the vacation destination for you. There are also over 730 miles of trails for hikers to enjoy within Glacier National Park. That's a lot of hiking. The park also boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in the west. I've been to both Yellowstone and Glacier and in my opinion; Glacier National Park has better scenery than Yellowstone. I realize that if you haven't been to Glacier you may think I'm crazy, but taking nothing away from Yellowstone, I personally think Glacier National Park offers even better scenery.
For those of you interested in viewing wildlife while hiking, Glacier won't disappoint in this area either. There is always the opportunity to see wildlife, some of which would include: Black bears, Grizzly bears, Foxes, Coyote's, Porcupines, Gophers, Squirrels, White tailed Deer, Mule Dear, Moose, Mountain goats, and Bighorn Sheep. For those hikers interested in seeing wildlife, Glacier National Park will not disappoint.
Glacier National Park is one of the largest and most intact ecosystems in North America. There are over fifty glaciers within the park, thus the name. There are also over 200 lakes and streams in Glacier National Park. The largest lake is Lake Macdonald, and the various streams and river hold nice populations of wild trout. With all of this water in the park, getting too hot won't be a problem. Just be careful, because the shocking cold of glacier water is sometimes quite a surprise.
For all of you hikers that like to catch fish while on a hike, Glacier National Park is the place for you as well. There are tons of lakes and streams within the park that wild trout call home. Native Rainbow, brook, and Cutthroat trout can all be found within the boundaries of Glacier National Park. The park has special regulations for anglers so make sure you inquire at a ranger station before wetting a line.
For hiking Glacier National Park is hard to beat. Whether it be a little day hike or you're looking to spend multiple days camping and hiking, Glacier National Park can accommodate everyone. For you next hiking vacation, give Glacier National Park the consideration it deserves. You'll be glad you did and have some of the best hiking there is to be had in the Rocky Mountains.

Trevor Kugler - Co-founder of JRWfishing.com Trevor has more than 15 years of business experience and 25 years of fishing experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country - Montana.
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Florida Fishing

Because of Florida's geographic location, saltwater fishing is obviously the focus of much of the fishing discussion in the state of Florida. The state of Florida has more than 3 million acres of lakes and 12,000 miles of rivers and streams that encompass the freshwater fishery in the state of Florida. In this article, freshwater fishing is going to be the focus, as saltwater fishing is in many ways an entirely different world to explore. As mentioned above, there is plenty of fresh water within the state of Florida for the freshwater angler to explore.
Two of the more popular freshwater fish to angle for in Florida have to be the Largemouth Bass and the Crappie. Largemouth bass for the shear sport and Crappie because they are considered such a delicacy. Largemouth Bass fishing in Florida is much like Largemouth Bass fishing anywhere in the southern United States. The largest lake to explore for Largemouth Bass in the state of Florida has to be Lake Okeechobee. The massive lake is a 730 square mile, relatively shallow lake with an average depth of nine feet, and is the second-largest freshwater lake in the continental United States. That's correct folks, the 2nd largest lake in the continental United States! That's a lot of water to hunt Largemouth bass in. There are also plenty of crappie within Lake Okeechobee for anglers to attempt to catch.
A very effective method of presenting live bait in Florida (especially worms and minnows) is to use what's called a set of gang hooks. A set of gang hooks is simply two small hooks tied in tandem, thus presenting the bait in a completely natural manner. Gang hooks are the best way to fish with worms, as many fishermen do, and aren't too bad for minnows either. The angler simply hooks the lips of the minnow through the top hook, and leaves the second hook free. Size 8 or 10 gang hooks work best for minnow fishing.
Florida fishing licenses are quite affordable as well. A resident fishing license will run about $15, and you can add a saltwater license as well for another $10. A non resident fishing license is under $35, and of course a weekly non resident license is available as well. You won't break the bank on your fishing license in the state of Florida, that's for sure. There are even lifetime licenses available for those anglers who fish a lot in Florida and don't intend on leaving.
The bottom line is that Florida is a great state for fishing. Not only is it affordable, but there are a ton of options as well. Who can argue with the 2nd largest freshwater lake in the United States? Not to mention the fact that this article didn't even touch on the incredible saltwater fishing opportunities that Florida has to offer. Florida is a virtual fishing paradise.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country…..Montana!

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