A group of women who met during the annual Blue Sky Ecological Reserve’s Fun & Fitness hiking series almost two years ago enjoyed the experience so much they’ve been meeting for hikes every Monday since. And now the community has a standing invitation to join them!
The free docent-led hikes are on Monday (and Wednesday through the end of the year) starting at 8:30 a.m. Hikers meet at the bus shelter in the parking lot and the hiking length is flexible depending on the group that day.
Blue Sky Docent Lisa Higbee leads the group. She was a new volunteer for Blue Sky when she helped with the Fun & Fitness series in 2023.
“Being in nature with others is spiritual, for me,” Lisa said. “As a docent, sharing the history of Blue Sky, the diversity of the terrain, the plants and animals that live in Blue Sky and the importance of protecting this land brings me joy.”
She’s often joined by her dog, Kidd, and says that hiking with others is a great way to build community, connections, and relationships.
Along the way the core group has expanded. Amanda and her dog Lulu were new to Poway when she went to Blue Sky for a Meet Up group of people who hike with their dogs. Instead of her Meet Up group, she stumbled upon Lisa and friends and has been hiking with them ever since.
On a recent Monday the group was about to start when Lisa struck up a conversation with a couple looking at the Blue Sky map. They were visiting from Maryland to celebrate the birth of their new grandchild. The duo decided to tag along and within 30 minutes everyone was chatting like old friends as they made their way down the Green Valley Truck Trail toward Lake Ramona.
Blue Sky hiking friends Sree, Amanda, Lisa (left to center) and Martine (far right) were joined by their dogs Lulu and Kidd, along with Drew and Sherry visiting from Maryland.