local fare LADIES WHO

Escape to renew and feed the soul

By Allison McCrory

The scent of flowers, the comfort of sunshine, the surprise of a unique fungus, the earthy roughness of tree bark, the balm of wind rustling tree branches and the laughter of fellow hikers.

Those are a few of the payoffs for the women who gather regularly to hike area trails with the quickly growing group Ladies Who Hike.

When Megan Hansen launched the local group in April 2021, she was meeting a need even she didn’t realize was so great.

“When I started the group, I figured maybe 40 ladies would join and maybe I would get a hiking partner every now and again. What has actually happened is that women of all ages are joining and leading hikes. They are out adventuring in nature and loving it. It is so awesome to be part of,” said Hansen, who teaches sixth grade in Santa Rosa County.

In fact, “forest bathing” lowers blood pressure and improves the immune system, reports the National Institutes of Health. And data shows Americans are lonely and anxious, making