Join me walking for Weiser in BCI’s mayor’s challenge

Some of you may have noticed there was not a column from this desk last week.  In the spring, Cathy had scheduled a trip for the two of us and her older sister.  
 The destination was a rather rustic ranch on the far end of a fifty-mile-long lake in northern Washington. The only practical ways to access the ranch is either by ferry or helicopter.  If a person was so inclined, they could also access it by backpacking or horseback over some rather rugged terrain.  
 Considering the physical shape Cathy, her sister, and I are in, we decided the ferry was best for us.  
 The ranch, the surrounding area, and the nearby town of Stehekin has a year-round population of 85.  It is considered one of the most remote places in the lower 48 states.  It is also on the edge of the North Cascades National Park.  The scenery is gorgeous!
 The area is kind of a hiker’s paradise.  The Pacific Coast Trail, which runs from the Mexican border in California to the Canadian Border in Washington is close by and this community is one of the last stops for hikers before the border.  We met and had the opportunity to talk to several hikers who had started the trail last spring at the southern edge of California and were just finishing up now.   
 
 Needless to say, we had to take a short hike on the PCC trail just to say we had.  There are also a number of other trails to choose from.  Like I said, a hiker’s paradise. 
 Most of the remainder of the guests at the ranch were there to hike the trails and share experiences.  One group has been coming to the ranch every year for decades just for the hiking.  The people were amazing to talk to and get to know. 
 The trip was a great experience!  
 Speaking of hiking, the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation is once again sponsoring the Mayor’s Walking Challenge in October.  The Foundation challenges Idaho mayors to walk 10,000 steps a day for the month of October.  
 If the mayor completes the challenge and averages 10,000 steps, they are rewarded with $1,000 to be used for something to promote healthy living in their city.  If the mayor averages 5,000 steps, they will be rewarded with $500 for a project.  
 Two years ago, the funds were used to go towards the outdoor gym equipment that the Weiser Memorial Hospital employees were raising for City Park.  Thank You again, WMH employees for your generous contribution to the well-being of Weiser!
 Last year, the funds went to Park Elementary School to buy pedometers for a walking program in the school.
 This year, the funds will go for football helmets for the Weiser Recreation Department.  There was an unusually large number of kids who went out for the City’s football program this year and we were short on helmets.  So, these funds will purchase helmets to fill in the gap and have helmets on hand for the future.
 One of the advantages of the Walking Challenge is that it prods me to walk in different parts of town and see things that might need attention from a different point of view.  It is so easy to drive by and miss the details.  Walking allows me to be slower, closer, and focused.
 Well, that’s it for this week.  If you see me out and about walking, please don’t hesitate to join me.  I always like the company!
 

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Signal American

18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
 

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