Written By: Margaret Kosiba
There is nothing I would rather be doing than traveling in my Pleasure-Way Plateau TS. However, after 4.5 years, I recognize that driving an RV of any type can quickly revert to a sedentary activity. For all the value of being in nature, meeting interesting people, and photographing all our experiences, if we aren’t exercising daily, we have missed the “staying healthy” boat! It is easy for the driving from point to point, setting up and tearing down, preparing for the next day, and cooking to take priority over exercise.
Zion National Park is the perfect place to combine the best of all worlds along with proper exercise. There are many hikes available, and they are so readily accessible via the Zion shuttle system. In the past I had done the easy rated hikes, like the Riverside Walk (Shuttle Stop 9) and the Lower, Middle, and Upper Emerald Pool walks (Shuttle Stop 5). This time I promised myself I would hike to Scout’s Lookout, rated strenuous (Shuttle Stop 6).
Of course, all RVers must check with their physician(s) to determine what each person’s goals should be. I like having my pedometer count my steps as a general gauge. My minimum base level has been 3,000 steps a day, but I feel better when I achieve 5,000-6,000 steps daily, and anything above 7,000 daily steps assures a great night’s sleep! I think the old guideline of 10,000 daily steps for this 77-year-old body and soul is expecting too much!
Taking advantage of gaining steps at rest areas is a perfect first step! I try to walk around rest areas several times, depending on the layout. If one has a traveling dog companion, this is an awesome way to pick up required steps. I also walk around the RV park daily (or more often if no other safe hikes are possible). But the remaining steps must come from scheduled hikes while traveling. When each itinerary is developed, I include a column for any special hikes I have researched.
At Zion, the perfect place to camp is Watchman Campground. It is a short walk to the Visitor’s Center, and the shuttles depart from this location. Because weather is always a consideration, I prefer being on the first shuttle (at present, that means an early rise with the sun and being on the 6 am or 6:30 am shuttle). In this way, I have a cool breeze accompanying me on a major portion of the hike. I carry as much water as I can reasonably manage (some people use a hydration backpack; weight is a consideration.) The day before my hike to Scout’s Lookout, three people needed to be helped down the trail due to heat exhaustion, per the ranger. Water is key! I carry snacks as well to sustain my required energy load along the way.
I prepared in advance for this particular hike because it has a 1,000-foot elevation change; even the 40- and 50-year-olds and younger hikers were huffing and puffing all the way up this trail! A few older hikers were checking their pulse rate and resting at intervals. I worked with iFit trainers on my X-16 Nordic Track for three months; these video programs enable the treadmill to increase the slope and also work out while walking downhill, successfully mimicking the Scout’s Lookout elevations. It helped tremendously. I also used a trekking pole, which was critical for the 1.7-mile hike back down!
The beginning portion was the only level part of this trail as hikers crossed over the Virgin River wooden bridge. The rest of this trail was a gradual but noticeable upslope!
The following photos show the intentional upslope all the way to the top.
There were a few places to sit down on the stone ledges and regroup!
Several of the hikers would stop as they passed me, saying, “You are just awesome! Keep going!” I think I reminded many of these hikers of their mother, and they were trying to assess whether they could see their mothers taking on this challenge.
Getting to what is known as the Refrigerator Canyon gave me hope. It was a bit cooler in temperature and seemed a little less sloped! Walking through the posted “Quiet Zone” because of the Mexican Spotted Owls who are protected by the Endangered Species Act offered tremendous respite! At this point I knew I could get to the top!
The actual Walter’s Wiggles, 21 in total, did not seem as difficult as the 12 slopes just prior to the Refrigerator Canyon. The Wiggles are short and sweet! I met so many interesting people on these short jaunts! And then, amazingly, Scout’s Lookout was right there in front of me! Several of the hikers clapped with joy when I raised my hands and said, “I did it!” They all shouted encouraging and joyful congratulations.
It was such fun to acknowledge everyone at the Lookout. But even more joyful was watching those hikers who had a permit to continue on to Angel’s Landing. It is only about one-fourth of a block past Scout’s Lookout, and then the one-half mile true challenge begins.
I have already committed to not only doing the Scout’s Lookout next year but then continuing to complete the Angel’s Landing! I am also formulating my training workout plan for this very different half mile. In this photo, you can see how steep this trail is, with rock scumbling needed and holding on to chains, which requires much more muscle strength, upper body strength, and stamina.
In summary, check with your physician to determine how much exercise and what type you should be achieving on a daily basis while RVing. It probably should include about 5-6 balance exercises, a few key stretching as well as strengthening exercises, and lifting weights is easy on the road. Plan and train in advance, but daily walking is key, even if you are doing flat level walking from your home base. I take my blood pressure daily. And while driving, I stop every 125 miles, get out of the van, stretch, walk, and increase circulation to my legs and buttocks to prevent sciatic nerve issues and venous thrombosis.
My wish for you is to stay healthy while traveling by making exercise a daily requirement in your normal lives, but also while you are traveling in your RV!
Margaret M Kosiba