Have you ever tried cross country skiing? If not, you may want to someday! It is fantastic exercise! It works all the main muscle groups of the body! In addition, it gets you outdoors and helps you enjoy winter. It is a fun way to explore a park. So, if you want to feel really good physically and you want to find an activity to help you excite your otherwise boring winter, give cross country skiing a try!
Check out the xcski site!
Skiing Information
Triathlons
I have competed in six triathlons. They are a good challenge. Swimming, biking, and running are excellent ways to stay in shape!!!!! If you exercise regularly and are looking for a change in the routine, try training for a triathlon!
Good link for triathlons in Iowa and running info
Good Literature
Are you wanting to find a really good book? The last book I read and enjoyed is Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier. It is set during the Civil War. It is a novel about two main characters who find their lives changing very much during the war. Also, these two main characters realize what they mean to each other. They meet up with friends along the way. It is written magnificently! The book won the best fiction book for the year it came out. Also, if you are looking for some great religious/spiritual/Christian books, check out some of the books written by Max Lucado.
Barnes and Noble Book Store and Book Info
Running
I enjoyed participating in track in high school. Then, when I was in college, I would run occasionally, but concentrated more on lifting weights and a variety of exercising modes (intramurals, swimming, biking, hiking, walking, frisbee, etc.). This continued for my first couple of years of being a teacher. I was single and did not have any children. Now, marrried and the father of two fabulous boys, I have found that getting up and running is the most efficient way of getting exercise and the workout I need/want. If you want a challenging and fun race to be a part of check out the Living History Farms Race in Des Moines. It is the largest (# of participants) cross country race in North America! You can find info about this race from the site listed below.
Hiking/Camping/Outdoors
I have always enjoyed being outside on a beautiful day. Actually, I don't mind being outside on a "not-so-beautiful" day! I enjoy being outdoors. In my youth, I was a cub scout and then a boy scout. I always enjoyed our camping and hiking adventures. Also, I attended EWALU church camp near Strawberry Point, Iowa. We had some awesome camping/hiking adventures there also! Moreover, my family would go hiking and camping frequently also. One of my favorite parks to hike at is Maquoketa Caves State Park near Maquoketa, Iowa. Most of my camping adventures are in a tent. However, I have camped in a fold-down camper and cabins also. My wife and I took a wonderful 13 day camping trip (tent) in Northern Wisconsin and Michigan several years ago. We did a lot of hiking also. It was beautiful up there! We basically followed a route near/on Lake Superior. One of our longest hikes was around 15 miles in the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan! It is so refreshing being in the wilderness/nature! Take a break from the hustle and bustle and find a park to enjoy!
