Now that we’re home from our Midwest Adventure Trip, it’s time for Ted and me to start thinking about our October/November trip to the Southwest.  We plan to visit several national parks, and want to hike park trails whenever possible.  We’ve noticed in the past that going up and down mountain trails always makes our legs hurt because we’re more used to walking in our suburban neighborhood.  We wondered if trekking poles would help take some of the strain off our legs.  We went to our family outfitter, REI (Thom and Katie both work for REI), got some expert advice, and purchased trekking poles.

 

It will be about three or four weeks before we find out if the trekking poles alleviate some of our leg strain.  Meanwhile, we’re practicing for the mountain hikes by walking up the steepest hill in our subdivision–the road beside our house.