Until I adopted my son last summer, I had never really gone hiking. At least not where hiking was the main reason for going out -- I had reluctantly hiked to campgrounds and other destinations, but I'd never hiked strictly for the sake of hiking. I just didn't see the point.

Then, last summer, my son and I discovered a wooded area in a neighboring town. It's right off the main drag, but there are acres and acres of protected woods. The trails are groomed and the inclines are gentle, so it's definitely a playground for the novice hiker.

I thought I was doing it for some quality time with my son. To my great surprise, I found that I enjoyed it for myself. There's something about hiking that is a true escape from your life. Deadlines, bills, dirty dishes, and life's other little stresses just seem so far away when you're surrounded by nature. Even on the easy trails my son and I choose, I still get a great workout.

The true beauty in hiking may lie in it's scalability. If you're a beginner like me, you can opt for a groomed and easy trail. When you're a bit more skilled, you can choose more challenging trails, building up your endurance, knowledge, and ability until you're able to hike more advanced trails and areas. People make whole vacations out of hiking challenging trails. Though I'm not in their league yet, I can understand the draw.

Women's Health has an interesting article about hiking in the Adirondacks. Check it out!