#2 in our suggestions for new amendments to the Constitution:

Only individual biological humans, as described under the laws pertaining to citizenship or legal residency within this Constitution or its Amendments, and no other entities, specifically such entities as are created for the purpose of conducting commerce, shall participate in, conduct, financially support, or in any other way effectively influence, or attempt to influence, the functions of, or election of candidates or adoption of provisions or revisions to, the federal government or any and all its related agencies or processes. 

Thought I’d take a break from politics to go on a hiking excursion.

I’ve been giving some thought as to why some kinds of walking and hiking may be more beneficial from a fitness standpoint than others. Why do I feel so much less invigorated from a flat hike/walk on paved trails than I do on hilly trails or more natural surfaces?

I’ve concluded that hiking on rough, uneven, or hilly trails encourages the body to make multiple, instantaneous adjustments. Some of these are muscular, but some are mental adjustments, both reflexive and deliberate. All these actions amount to a substantial, complex workout of body and mind. The trail or path doesn’t have to be hilly; it just should be diverse in its topography, perhaps with some rocks, dips, maybe some ice to negotiate, etc. If your trail or path is too uniform, than get off it and explore. (There may be a metaphor here, but I’ll leave it for a later time.

Compare this to flat, paved surfaces. The workout is much like a treadmill, with repetitive, limited action and needed mental processing. Diversity seems again to be a good thing.

So get your boots on the trail whenever you can, whatever the season. Maybe I’ll see you there.