Greetings, fellow trekkers, may this column find you well, or at least high-spirited enough to be a thorn in the side of hustle culture. I was remiss in catching up with you last month, and what a month it was. In need of a new home, I jumped the border into Idaho. Moving, along with catching a dastardly bug that put me down for a week, prevented me from doing any hiking.
I missed it a lot. As someone who has come to depend on time outdoors as a necessary component for my mental health, slinging boxes into the back of vehicles and continually blowing my nose are not my preferred exercise.
However, I have very little to complain about as I just so happened to land in an apartment adjacent to the Priest River. There are enough trees to grant a sense of privacy, even though there are neighbors all along the water, and of course, lots of places to go walking. Cedars, firs, and scolding squirrels that watch you from their perch – it’s got it all. And there’s a town a short drive away. If I were to say I was “roughing it” by moving to the country, Mark Twain’s spirit would call me a liar, and rightfully so, but after last month’s hurry, worry, and germy grossness, I can’t help but delight in my new surroundings. As I type this, the sun has gone down over the trees and tinged the horizon pink. Birds warble while the sound of the rushing river underscores it all. The Kaniksu National Forest is only a 30-minute drive away, and if you haven’t been there before, let me tell you that you don’t need to die in order to go to heaven. Upper Priest Lake Trail, here I come!
How has your trekking been so far in 2026? Gone on some wonderfully familiar routes? Tried someplace new? I’d love to hear from more hikers and outdoor enthusiasts via this writing. If you’re out there, drop me a line at [email protected]. Happy trails, all.
Sophia Mattice-Aldous is not a doctor, personal trainer or dietician, so if you’re looking for that kind of exercise and health column, it’s not this one. However, she is a lifelong Washington resident and reporter with an affinity for The Great Outdoors who thinks fitness should be fun, and that looks different for everyone. For her, it’s going outside. If you have questions and/or comments, including hiking suggestions, email [email protected].
