As some of you are aware, in 2016 my wife and I challenged ourselves to get outside and go for a hike at least once a week for the entire year. For us, it wasn’t a matter of distance nor time. Rather, it was just wanting to commit to getting outside more, getting some fresh air, and spending some time with each other. Our shortest hikes were less than a mile and our longest was over 25 miles. While it wasn’t always easy to work it into our schedules, we did manage to pull it off and never missed a week the entire year.

I’m challenging you to do the same in 2017. And, I’ll try to make it worth your while, too.

At least once a week, get outside and go for a walk. I don’t care if it is a 20 mile trek or 2 blocks. The idea is to spend some time outdoors and getting a little exercise. Take at least one photo during each hike and post them on Facebook. Use the hashtag #2017SWHikes when you post so I can find them easily. At least once a month, hopefully even more often, I’ll pick one of those posts and send the person some sort of prize. Could be a book, a DVD, a knife, or some sort of gear. Depends on what I have sitting in the prize vault at the time.

Post as many photos each week as you’d like but only one photo per person per week will count in the contest. There may be additional prizes for coolest, funniest, or most dramatic photos, too.

It all starts with a single step. Get out there and see the sights, folks. Remember to post your pics with the hashtag #2017SWHikes!