Spring into action and get moving
Answer to call to MOVE and get out and explore. Increase your metabolism and lose some weight. 
There are so many places to get out and walk in the Pacific Northwest.
We are blessed with a temperate climate all year, for the most part. And remember it is possible to walk in the rain. I’m not suggesting climbing a mountain in a howling gale but being in under the forest canopy can be very relaxing. The earth and environment take on a whole new look and feel when raindrops cover leaves and moss. Noise is subdued because you have the gentle patter of the rain on your jacket
hood and the ground gives gently under your footsteps.
It causes you to get deeper inside and closer to the ground and reconnect to the cooler and calmer.
If you are in the Portland, Oregon area I strongly suggest you get moving and explore one of the many great natural areas we have around the city.
One area near my house is Mt Talbert.
http://www.oregonmetro.gov/parks/mount-talbert-nature-park
I love to get over there every few weeks and see what’s up. Last week I was there and was greeted by a very lovely wild iris just a few hundred feet from the trail head at Mather Rd.
Farther along the trail up toward the summit you run into dog tooth violets and Oregon grape and many other beauties.
I also highly recommend that you visit Tryon Creek State Park.
http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=103
The trilliums are in bloom. They are always a special treat. The Trillium Festival is just past but there
is always more to see and learn about there. Please check them out. You don’t know you are so close to the city when you are out there.
Another very special place is Camassia Preserve in West Linn. The Nature Conservancy of Oregon just had a guided walk through the area and it is peak for camas right now. Other flowers are out in profusion and there will be a continuous shift from one species to another for a while. It is amazing. We plan on visiting often.
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/oregon/placesweprotect/camassia-natural-area.xml
