No More Hiking! :(

United States
September 16, 2009 5:09am CST
Usually I take my dog out for hikes in the morning. We used to go as early as 4:30 or 5am...and we would stay out until 6am or a little later. Then it got closer to winter and we couldn't leave until 5:30am. It was still dark when we left, but I knew it would be light enough by the time we reached the desert area we like to walk in. It HAS to be light out when we get there because of coyotes and snakes. But now it isn't getting light out until 6am or a little later!! And I like to be in bed by 7 so I can wake up at 3pm. I work nights and if my sleeping scedule gets mixed up even ONE day it is a pain to get it back on track for work! I don't know why lol. But since it isn't getting light out until much later now, me and my dog can't hike! I do have an exercise bike, but it isn't as fun as a hike (I like to take pictures, and I love how happy hikes make my dog)...but sometimes I'll talk myself on to it. And I also love swimming! But that isn't as good a workout as hiking. I know it's better than nothing but it isn't as good for cardio and weight loss. BOO WINTER and its stupid long nights! lol
1 person likes this
4 responses
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Sep 09
I switch my exercise routine to go with the seasons. I use dancercise tapes and I used to go snowshoeing, I'm hoping I can this year. I have to see if I can fall down and hand over hand a tree without putting my back out. I own 9.9 acres, so if I still can't snowshoe, it will be a pain. I do have ski poles, but sometimes they don't give me enough support to get back up, maybe if I build up my arms more. . ..
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Sep 09
You can do t'ai chi anywhere and most home exercise workout tapes and most of the stuff on FIT TV.
• United States
17 Sep 09
It's just tough for me to do in home workouts because I get bored really easy and hiking can keep me distracted because I'm always looking for good photo ops. I have never ski'd or snowboarded, and I don't think I would be really good at it! lol
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Sep 09
Snowshoeing is like walking. If you can walk, you can snowshoe.
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
16 Sep 09
I guess walkies need to be on the street during the winter. It sucks, but doggie need her walkie. I'm out to walk a dog. I have a pet sitting job. Actually 2 jobs right now. The first is getting his walkie in the dessert. The second 2 are in town.
• United States
16 Sep 09
Well even my dog likes walkin in the desert area by my house. It's full of tree's and bushes and critters and lots of things to smell! :) Plus, when we walk there we don't have to worry about other exercisers. Maggie was abused as a puppy before we got her, and she is very scared of strangers, she may even get snappy in the wrong situations. That's why I always took her early early in the morning and in a secluded area. But don't worry! Even if I don't get my exercise, she gets hers :) We have a big back yard..she runs around with our other dogs, or they chase a tennis ball that we throw! So she won't be getting unhealthy any time soon :) She also "swims"--and by swim I mean she stands (or sometimes lays) on the top step in the pool. lol
• United States
17 Sep 09
Aww, I'm sorry about your pup! :( I know how bad it is to lose a loved pet (they're part of the family!) But it sounds like your dog had a good/happy life, rolling in poo! :P hehe. My Maggie is a good dog, very sweet with us--but it's just her past abuse that makes her scared of strangers. I wish she felt more comfortable around them so I could hike at a time others are out--but I would hate for her to bite someone out of fear and us being ordered to have her put asleep because of it!
• Israel
16 Sep 09
Mine dog that passed away this spring also loved the desert. It's full of sheep and camel poop. She loved to eat the sheep poops and roll in the camel dung. YUCK My other dog is just happy to go on the street to meet people.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
16 Sep 09
Hiking is fun. Went once with our kids who lived in Arizona at the time. Was a beautiful trail. Know what you mean about shorter days. Drove to our daughter's last night about 7:00 and it was already getting dark. I was outside this morning at 6:00 and it was still dark out. What really annoys me is changing our time twice a year. I know Arizona and Hawaii don't go through this very annoying time changes.
• United States
17 Sep 09
Yeah, hiking is really fun....I really enjoy going out with my dog, and I think part of the reason is I know how happy it makes her :D That's why I want to try and figure out how me and her can keep going! :)
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
16 Sep 09
I agree with you that I hate winter. It is fall here now and I think that I have noticed the nights starting earlier almost daily. I don't like the winter months and I hope that it doesn't get too cold this year. I have a new horse and I enjoy riding him after work so I hope that I don't have to quit for long as I greatly enjoy it the same as you do your hikes. Hiking is a great exercise for you and the dogs and if it makes you happy, then I respect you for doing it. I have worked nights and it is hard to get on schedule if you don't do the same schedule each day. It is a hard shift to work ,but I like it when I can sleep during the day.
• United States
16 Sep 09
Ooo I'm jealous you have a horse! :) I do like riding...but if I get the new job that I've applied for at an animal sanctuary in Utah, I have my eye on one of their "pasture pals."(horse you can't ride). I just feel sorry for the horses that can't be ridden because it seems like no one wants them. The one I picked out is a pretty brown boy named Cowboy, apparently he has a really low back and can't be ridden because of it... ANYWAYS! lol. I would hike in the after when I wake up, but I live in Arizona and it is WAY to hot during the day. Maybe it'll get cooler during the day the closer to winter it gets (so I guess thats one good thing about winter)...but I don't want to have to wait to start exercising again! I like working nights too...but I'm just missing out on so much during the day! That is my one negative about it. It's just me and 1 coworker at night, so we don't have any bosses there with us telling us what to do! lol.