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.

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Mommy and Daddy can't decide what we want to do today. Haul the jogging stroller to a hiking trail along the Potomac River? Hook up the bicycle trailer and head out on the Washington and Old Dominion trail?

Either way, stuff with wheels will make a good workout in the nice weather possible with our toddler. Some might think it's crazy to have three strollers, as we do. But once your kid weighs more than 30 pounds, putting them in a body carrier just doesn't work. We've put plenty of miles on the jogging stroller, and not all of them jogging. Trekking over grass, mud and stone is nearly impossible without one. Certainly, an urban or suburban walk around town serves as a wonderful workout with a conventional stroller, too. We just love being among more trees, water and wildlife. And the jogging stroller makes it possible.

As for the bicycle trailer, that was last year's Father's Day gift before we spent a family weekend vacation in Chincoteague and rode rented bikes around the nearby Assateague Island. Our daughter loved cruising along, looking out the plastic windows, safe from the mosquitoes that seemed to be hatching faster than you could say no DEET please. The really cool thing is that mosquitoes couldn't make a swift landing on our skin with the breeze whisking past as we peddled.

My point is that stuff with wheels have been a crucial element for our active family activities that have been well worth the investment. You don't need to spend a lot, either. Both the jogging stroller and bicycle trailer were purchased at Target for a little more and a little less than $100, respectively.

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I'm not a gym girl. There's something about paying to join a health club that leaves me feeling obligated to huff and puff all the time. There's also the driving to and from the facility that always becomes a burden. For me, it's just too much pressure. I prefer to do my own thing. I like to walk and run on my treadmill at home, lift a few weights, stretch some resistance bands, hold a plank position for as long as I can stand it, master a handful of push-ups -- and spend lots of time outdoors.

There are seven steep hills in my neighborhood that cover a distance of 2.5 miles. I regularly tackle these inclines. Mostly I walk; sometimes I make a feeble attempt at running uphill. I've also mapped out another 2.5-mile trek through a nearby neighborhood. This is my running route. Sometimes I combine these two excursions into one. Lately, I've been doing a little bike riding with my 6-year-old -- he's new to the world of cycling and has quickly outpaced me -- and on occasion, I'll bike with my mom. I like the outdoors. It seems others do too.

Fresh air is linked to working out more. According to a blurb in the September 2007 issue of Good Housekeeping, people who walk, hike, or bike on trails at least once per week are twice as likely to get 30 minutes of exercise almost every day as those who don't head outdoors. This doesn't surprise me. Fresh air is refreshing, invigorating, and the scenery is so much better than indoors. It's motivating to witness the wonder of nature while exercising. So in the spirit of the great outdoors, I say: Skip the gym. Head outside. And take a stroll around this site for more tips from the folks at Good Housekeeping.

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It's only May, but it's felt like July in my neck of the woods. Warm, sultry days have made me long to be outdoors working in my garden or maybe going for a hike. The 15th annual National Trails Day is celebrated today -- so if you're like me and considering a good hike, today's the day!

Hiking offers a diversion from your normal routine. It's a chance to escape to nature and slough off the stress of your work week. A weight-bearing and aerobic exercise, it offers numerous benefits for cardiovascular health, weight maintenance, and bone health.

There are over 1000 National Trails Day events to choose from and they're being held in all 50 states. I did a quick search in my state and found 15 separate events ranging from education to preservation to group hikes. In addition to all the health benefits of hiking, National Trails Day is a perfect opportunity to get involved and meet other people with similar interests.

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