It’s no mystery that being outdoors is amazing medicine for our mental health. Personally, it’s been an oft-used tool in the anti-depressant toolkit. (Moving closer to the equator had a big role in that as well!)
We started this thing in a fitness group chat called HRPs, or Happy Run Photos, that morphed into Happy Walk Pics, or Happy Hike pics and are now simply HOPs – Happy Outdoor Pics. Doing something active outdoors? POST IT! We want to see that! What’s kind of funny is that it’s also a sobriety focused group so the play on hops is kind of tongue-in-cheek in that we no longer drink hoppy beverages.
Instead of my usual trail runs and hikes as of late, a friend and I met up for a hike I’d never done before, but she had with her family. To say it was gorgeous was an understatement. Even on a cloudy day – Torrey Pines was showing off! I hope to never lose the awe I have at nature – no matter where we live.
As we got down the trail to the beach, I had to laugh when I pointed out that the rocky part was what all Puget Sound beaches are like:
We also cracked up when we realized we wore the EXACT SAME leggings.
Yep, we both dig purple!
Following our 4+ mile hike, we ventured to a cute breakfast spot and had yummy eats and a latte! (With almond milk, of course.)
The cliffs were breathtaking. Hikers and runners all around, I was reminded once again why I love San Diego. Not only are there state parks all over, the ocean a quick drive away, I love how active it is. There are ALWAYS people out hiking, biking and even just walking dogs.
A happy HOPs Friday indeed!
Life and Other Stuff 
What do you think?