What we’re about
Lifes A Hike was born out of a homework assignment to deliver a personalized essay presentation in front of a group of fellow toastmasters. The guidelines for the essay was to do something your passionate about, and that had
changed my Life and how it did.
It was a easy choice for me for in 2009 my life took a 190 and change so much. from losing my company, my house, and more. for thats when I realized looking back at all the down parts in my life, and then looking back at all the good things that a happen in my life felt as if Life is like a hike from reaching the peak to all the stumbles to get there.
After that lowest part of my life, I shed almost all the bad things I brought into it from smoking two packs of cigarettes a day to take and steroids to drinking a half a fifth a night. I connected back to God what's my biggest change and then started replacing negative things with positive things and that's where my hiking adventure began in the woods of Princeton Mass hiking every weekend hiking up Mount wachusett. Oh it took me a while to reach the peak after many hikes, for I have went to the gym for the last 30 years I was never a cardio person so in time this was weaved into my everyday life.
I had started lifes a hike group 2016 as a give back for thanks to him above by offering hiking groups to people going through rehab from alcohol and drrugs to show them that there is a better place in mind and body in this life. but during the winter it was not feasible for people with addictions they weren't as healthy to continue hiking in the winter. So that's when I decided to launch on Meetup some 5 years ago to find and help people who are beginning and wanted to hike and to learn and to explore.now we are blessed with over 3,000 signed up member, and run 6 to 10 hikes a month with up to 5 hike leaders to assist.
flirting over the years with the idea of integrating charity fundraising with our group hikes, finally this year decided to implement it fully with My hiking groups and also the other leaders to focus on one charity at a time to raise funds to make more of a impact for people less fortunate while we were having our fun. I am so excited to have life A hike evolve from just me hiking with several people from the rehab center to now having 5 leaders for group hikes and growing.
I originally started this group focusing on beginners to moderate skilled hikers, to help people find the love of hiking as a tool to help make a healthy body and mind. With new blood on our team we are expanding to be able to cater to more novice and expert hikers. Retired people that like to hike during the week. And a younger group to be able to satisfy the 20s to 30s.
This is my mission statement and my story
To bring the love of hiking into other people's hearts.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- In Search of the Lost Shelter of Bear Brook with J. PaulBear Brook State Park, Allenstown, NH
DESCRIPTION:
Hike length: 4 to 5.5 miles
Elevation gain: about 340 feet
For the average hiker, this hike is easy/moderate.
In the 1930's, the Civilian Conservation Corps built two log shelters in Bear Brook State Park. If you went on my Bear Brook hike last year, you saw the well known Smith Pond Shelter. A similar, but much lesser known shelter was built in a different part of the park, but over the years it fell into disuse, and at this point in time there is no longer any discernible trail leading to it, so there will be some minor bushwhacking involved.
YOUR MISSION, should you decide to accept it, is to rediscover this lost gem. ("This web page will self-destruct in 10 seconds")
The first part of the hike will involve easy walking on roads and trails, with the last half mile leading up to the shelter, being an easy off-trail bushwhack past a large beaver pond. If we are successful in our quest to find the shelter, we’ll celebrate by hiking down to a picturesque spot on the shore of Bear Hill Pond and have lunch there.
There is a park entrance fee of $4.00 for Bear Brook SP. You can pay at the toll booth shortly before you get to Hayes Field (they only accept cash) or you can purchase your pass online if you prefer. NH residents 65 and older get free admission.
Please, NO GUESTS. If you want to bring a guest, they need to sign up for the hike through Meetup.com.
BACKUP DATE: If bad weather is predicted the night before, I will change the date to May 7. Decision will be made the day before the hike.
Pack for spring conditions, including:- Layers
- Rain jacket/poncho
- 2 liters of water or Gatorade
- Pack a lunch and trail snacks such as granola or energy bars
This hike is in support of the humanitarian group NH4Ukraine . No donation is required to participate in this event, but a donation of any amount that you are comfortable with is greatly appreciated. You can donate using the "donate" button on the Life's a Hike meetup page, or by bringing a check made out to “United Ukraine" to the event. “Life’s a Hike” T-shirts are available for a donation of $30 or more. (see pics in “Photos")
Life’s a Hike Group Disclaimer
As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity you acknowledge and agree to the following that this activity involves inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death to participants and/or other's; you assume all risks associated with this activity with this activity involves, you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skill, abilities, clothing and equipment to safely participate in this activity, you will know and follow the hike safe responsibility code. (Http://www.hikesafe.com) the organizer(s) of this activity are volunteers, and you release, hold harmless and indemnity the organizer (s) and all members of this group from any and all claim's for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death-including those by negligence and/or other reasons.
Directions to parking lot in Bear Brook State Park from I-93 North or South:
Take exit 11 (this is the exit right at the Hooksett tolls. Don’t go through the high speed EZ-Pass lanes - stay all the way to the right and exit before you get to the toll booths)
After you pass through the ramp toll booth, you will see the Hooksett Park & Ride straight ahead. Take an immediate L on Hackett Hill Road and drive .2 mile to the “T” at Rt. 3A
Turn L on 3A (W. River Rd.) and drive .6 mile
Turn R at the lights onto Main St. and drive .8 mile. (Main St. becomes College Park Drive)
Turn L on Rt. 28 / Rt. 3 and drive 2.5 miles
Turn R at lights onto Rt. 28 North, and drive 3.0 miles (You’ll see the sign for Bear Brook SP
Turn R onto Deerfield Rd. And drive 3.1 miles
Turn R onto Podunk Rd. Drive .2 miles and stop at the toll booth. This is where you will pay the $4 park entrance fee (they only take cash here) and obtain a parking pass. If you already purchased your park pass online, you can show it to them here.) NH residents 65 and older get free admission to the park). Continue driving straight ahead. In .7 miles you will pass the Hayes Field parking lot. (We're not meeting there, but it is your last chance to use an outhouse before you get to our meeting place.)
Drive an additional .9 miles and pull into the small parking lot on your left, just after you pass the Spruce Pond Road. This lot can hold about 8 - 10 cars, but it is usually empty.
IMPORTANT: Podunk Road runs through the park but is not driveable all the way through. I’m not sure if your GPS will know this, so it’s important that you follow these directions.
