These Boots are Made for Hiking

I bought my first pair of hiking shoes yesterday, and I'm still grinning.

I've got plans.

I'm not talking Appalachian Trail type plans, but I am talking about going into the woods much more than I currently am. My footwear was so woefully inadequate until now. Asics running shoes are not meant for deep wood, make-your-own-trail-as-you-try-to-follow-an-old-road-from-225-years-ago hiking. Neither are winter boots. You know how some women have a closet full of footwear? I'm not one of those women. I've been getting around in the woods with the most pathetic of shoes.

Not anymore! These puppies were on sale at a local store for 20% off. The moment I put them on, I knew it was meant to be. These were the first hiking shoes that did not pinch my toes or the bunion on my left foot. The brand, for those of you who also like a roomier toe space, is Keen. I. Love. These. Shoes. Did I mention they're waterproof?

(It occurred to me, as I thought about purchasing them, that I could do a price comparison online. The part of me that wants to save every dollar begged me to do this. But I shook it off. I still love a good, local, brick and mortar store. If I want them to stick around, I can't try to always get something cheaper online. For $5-$10 more, I help my local economy? That's priceless.)

I was able to break my shoes in yesterday on two separate occasions, but apparently a mark of a really good shoe is that you don't have to break them in. They're already super comfy, like I've been wearing them for days.

Between this, and a natural repellent to ward off ticks that I hope works, I'm now, finally, officially woods-ready. Bring on the trails, the non-trails, and all the beauty and majesty that nature has to offer!