Potato Chip Rock - a great place to go on First Hike Da
Here's a choice for the New Year. Rather than wake up with a hangover, wake up and put on a pair of hiking boots for a First Day Hike. Thousands of Americans will be doing the same on Jan. 1 as well.
First Day Hikes are becoming more and more popular around the country. They are promoted by the National Association of State Park Directors as a way to start the new year right, out in the fresh air, absorbing sunlight and moving those muscles.
"Last year, we hosted a record-breaking 41,000 people who hiked 74,442 miles in our state parks across the country when we launched America's State Parks First Day Hikes," said Priscilla Geigis, president of the NASPD. "Think of it as the start of a new and healthy lifestyle, for the whole family. Whether you're staying close to home or traveling, join us at one of America's State Parks on New Year's Day."
You see promotions for First Day Hikes at parks in every corner of the country. Park directors are offering guided hikes to study everything from meadows, wetlands, ponds, woods and all sorts of terrain.
American Hiking is even offering a contest for First Day hikers. Submit some photos by Jan. 3 to enter. First prize is a Brooks Range Hybridg Wool embroidered jacket valued at $230.
Arizona State Parks are offering the 100th person at every one of their 18 parks a gift bag, free park-entrance card and other goodies from the Game and Fish Department and the Arizona Office of Tourism.
The real prize to taking a First Day Hike is to begin a new year with a bright outlook on life. Studies show that sunlight has incredible healing powers. Fresh outdoor air of course, is so much better than indoor air. All of this interaction with nature has been shown to elevate people's moods. It is the perfect elixir!
First Day Hike log
A First Day Hike in a state park can be the start of a routine enjoyed by millions
Don't think you will be alone hiking in a state park on New Year's Day. The number of people who visit state parks every year is incredible and inspiring.
For example, here are some stats from 2014:
State Parks coverage: More than 18 million acres
Total visitors to state parks in 2014: 720 million
Number of state park units: 7,804
Economic impact on communities: More than $20 billion
Percent of visitors who treat their children to a fresh air adventure at state parks: 64%
Number of Trails: 8,647
Total length of trails: 43,000 miles
Number of campsites: 217,367
Number of cabins and lodges: 8,277
Full-time state park employees: 17,742
Total park personnel: 24,985
Operating expenditures: $2.5 billion
When you consider the money spent and the people hired to run state parks, that's quite a benefit to the economy
Here's one more amazing statistic worth special mention: on average, a state park's share of total state budgets is about .16% or less than 1%.
What's interesting is that state parks are not just for hiking. Here's a list of other amenities:
Golf courses: 130
Ski slopes: 147
Marinas: 292
Swimming pools: 306
Stables: 96
Sure, it seems like our popular and breathtaking national parks such as Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon get all the buzz. But those parks only generate about 276 million visits per year (which is nothing to sneeze at either.)
But as you can see, state parks gets the usage. Mostly from local residents who are not on vacation but want an escape for a day or weekend.
In fact, 91.9% of all visitors to state parks in 2014 were day-time visits.
As you can see, rather than drinking spirits to start the new year, one of the best ways to elevate your spirits is to just take a hike.
To find a First Day Hike in your area or learn more, visit the America's State Parks site here - www.naspd.org
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