Outdoor Goals for 2012

I've been quiet on this blog this year because I had to focus all my free time to obtain a professional certificate for my career prospects. I did although go on a white water rafting/camping trip for my 30th birthday this year with my buddies. That was a ton of fun and hope I can do it again later in life.

I know it's a little early to begin discussing resolutions for 2012, but I hope to finally go on a real backpacking trip. I'm jealous of my wife. She gets more vacation time than I do and she carry over days she doesn't use for the next year. She has accrued nearly 2-3 more weeks more vacation time and is planning her first REI adventure to Yosemite. I wish I could go, but I'll have to be satisfied with local backpacking adventures. Most will say to start with easy trips before planning the big adventures anyway. Makes sense.

Here are my goals at glance:

1. Backpack 1-3 times
2. Ascend a mountain at least 4 times next year
3. Take part in trail restoring with REI
4. Restore mountain bike and hit the trails
5. Learn/take a survival class
6. Learn how to read a compass and map
7. Learn/remember how to tie at least 3 knots
8. Snowboarding at least once next winter
9. Join a hiking group or bug my friends to hit the trails
10. Road trip to a state park I haven't visited

Anza Borrego Wildflowers

After years of wanting to drive out to Anza-Borrego Desert Park we made it this year. Flowers weren't blooming as much because February was a particularly cold month and froze many flowers. It was still nice to visit this place. My wife, me and my neighbor hiked the main canyon. Along the way we saw sprouts of flowers appearing randomly followed by a spring trickling down the canyon. The higher we hiked the closer we came to seeing mini waterfalls. That was great. We took a picnic at the top and watched a photographer trip in a stream. I felt bad for him as we watched on while enjoying our chicken sandwich subs. Fortunately for him his camera was safe! We had a little more time to explore another trail by the time we got to the bottom at 4pm, but we were already pooped. We saddled up and drove back. The icing on the cake for the Sunday was making a pit stop at Julian's Apple Pie Company. I had a slice of original apple pie with cinnamon ice cream on top. It was  the perfect treat to wrap up the day. Not bad for a lazy Sunday. We literally planned the day trip last night after finding out the campgrounds were completely full for the next two weeks.

Monitoring Blood Pressure

Yikes. So I go to the doctor today for something personal, but he ended up telling me that my blood pressure is on the rise and I have to keep my heart in check. I found a good guide online that I'm going to try to bring in to my daily regime.

Here are the ten helpful tips for lowering blood pressure:

1. avoid salt (salads for lunch might help...)
2. avoid caffeine (could cut out the Coke)
3. stop smoking (thankfully I don't)
4. lose weight (losing 10 lbs...)
5. avoid drugs and alcohol (cut down on weekend drinks)
6. relax (walk, chill music on ipod, hot bath before bed)
7. exercise (walk 30 mins. a day / 3mi/hr pace)
8. meditate (aim at 2-5 mins a day, then increase)
9. monitor your blood pressure regularly (can check at CVS)
10. natural remedies (garlic, olive oil, electrolyte sup.)

I'm going to work on these suggested 10 tips and check back.