This year I decided to start taking more adventures close to home. I live in Reno Nv USA, where hundreds of thousands of tourists come to visit each year. Often, I do not have the time to explore fun things to do in Reno because of work.

One day while out on a drive to clear my head, I noticed a small trail going up the side of a small mountain in Washoe Lake Park. Something inside said ‘Pull over’ go check it out.

I pulled up to the gravel parking lot filled with potholes and ditches, but my little Honda Insight took its time and patiently found the safest parts of the road to take.

While I parked my little car, I noticed these huge trucks slowly making their way up the side of the mountain road. Their trucks spinning out every so often with mud splattering over the side of their tires.

I thought to myself, hey, I can do better than that.

So I hopped out of my little eco friendly car that everyone looked at like I was a joke for even pulling up to the area, and proceeded to hike up that mountain on foot.

The first 20 feet or so was exhilarating. I was showing those big red necks with their gas guzzling trucks, too lazy to get their fat arses out and hike up the mountain…but just as I was reaching the first truck, I immediately was exhausted, breathing hard and considering abandoning my mission.

Each step I took was literally one foot in front of the next. I was hoping no one could tell how loud and heavy I was breathing.

I casually stopped as to turn around and see how far I had come and immediately was overwhelmed with how high up I had hiked. My first thought was ‘Oh lord, I hope I can get back down off the side of this thing!’

Never the less, I kept on trucking up the side of this mountain. I was not going to give up. I was going to get to the top before the rednecks did.

Persistent and slow progress, keeping an eye on my balance while inching my way up the side of a muddy, rocky and steep climb, I finally made it to the top!

**I was so proud of myself. I had done something seemingly impossible and I was hooked. **

I wanted to keep going, so I did. Down to the other side of the mountain and on to see what was just around the corner. Another mountain to climb.

I am now up to 10 miles in one day of hiking. I look forward to my time alone out with mother nature.

I often bring a book, some organic food and drink and end up spending my time at the top, not reading, but in amazement at what I had accomplished and taking in the stunning views of the Nevada landscape.

On one of my hikes after about 4 hours of steady climbing up the side of a mountain, I sat down to rest and fill up on some needed food and drink. As I sat quietly by myself, pondering the beauty before me, I felt a warmth on the middle of my back.

I slowly turned around to see a herd of wild horses standing above me.

I was shocked at how close they were able to get to me, without me hearing a sound.

Moments like these are what keep me coming back week after week to explore the great Nevada wilderness.

#horses #nevada #reno #hiking #nature #travel #life