Get WalkIN'

Tips to increase walking

• Park farther away from buildings or stores.
• Walk during your lunch break.
• Instead of having coffee with friends, take a walk with them.
• While at work, walk to a colleague’s desk instead of calling or sending them an email.
• Stand up and walk around whenever you have a call on your cell phone.
• Walk the sidelines at local sporting events instead of sitting in the bleachers.

With the right mindset, a rainy-day hike can be one that you remember fondly for years to come. The air is cleaner and the solitude more profound. It will take an extra precaution or two to keep things on track, though:

• Remember that staying dry is easier than drying out after you're wet. Don't wait to throw on your rain shell, or to take cover in a full-on rain squall.
• Keep monitoring the weather. Weather forecasting is an inexact science.
• Keep an eye out for lightning. It puts on a great show, which you won't want to miss. However, it's even more important that you know how to take cover. Learn more by reading Weather Basics for Backpackers.
• Constantly self-assess. Add layers or grab a snack if you're starting to feel a little cold. And gloomy light can sap your mental state, so poll your hiking crew to be sure everyone's still having a good time.
• Ditch destination fever. If a relentless storm makes things miserable or downright hazardous, turn around and call it a day. You'll still have tales to tell and time for an extra hot cocoa or two to tell them over later.

Other tips: Find locations where there are small loops close to your vehicle to walk. You might still be able to get a good walk in, while staying close by in case weather changes quickly!

Before you head out with the possibility of rain in the forecast, take a closer look at your clothing, including outerwear and footwear, and assess how rain-ready they are. Some things to keep in mind:

• Avoid cotton if you can. This is key for next-to-skin layers because cotton holds water, including your sweat, and chills you. In a worst-case scenario, that can lead to hypothermia. Go with wicking materials that move moisture away from your skin. Wool, nylon and polyester are all preferrable to cotton in outdoor clothing.
• Go with synthetic insulation in your jacket. Standard down loses much of its insulating ability if you get it wet. Water-resistant down and hybrids that combine synthetic insulation and water-resistant down are your next best bet. If you're hiking in milder weather, you can pack a lightweight fleece or soft-shell jacket instead.
• Evaluate your rainwear. If you're considering an upgrade, read Rainwear: How to Choose. Going with bright colors can help brighten your mood on a relentlessly gray day. In an emergency, bright colors also help search teams locate you.
• Renew your rainwear's Durable Water Repellent (DWR). If you love your current rain gear, see if drops bead up and roll off. If not, renew its DWR coating to restore performance. It's a good idea to renew your DWR coating at the beginning of every hiking season.
• Pack a rain cap. Even if your rain jacket has a brimmed hood, it does a poor job of keeping rain off your face or glasses. A rain hat should have a nice, broad brim. If you choose a ballcap-style hat, then you can wear it under the hood of your rain jacket.
• Evaluate your footwear. Waterproof boots and shoes keep feet drier initially, making them a good option for colder conditions. Renew the waterproofing at the beginning of each season, or if you notice large dark spots forming when you splosh across wet terrain. Mesh footwear works well in milder conditions, as mesh drains and dries more quickly if you land in a puddle or creek. With either option you need deep lug soles to deal with mud and superior traction to deal with slippery rocks and logs.
• Pack gaiters. They'll shield your socks and the tops of your footwear.
• Pack dry clothes. Extra clothing is already one of the Ten Essentials. Be sure dry socks are one of the extras you bring.

Find more wet weather walking tips here! https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/hiking-in-the-rain.html

Activity: Tell me what tips you would share to increase your walking habits? Email me at: krichey@purdue.edu

Next Topic: Goal Check-In (2)

• Always walk facing oncoming traffic.
• Use the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, look for a smooth, stable surface alongside the road. If there are guardrails, see if there is a smooth, flat surface behind the barrier where you can walk. If you need to walk on a paved shoulder, stay as far away from traffic as possible.
• Be careful on bridges and narrow shoulders of the road.
• Be sure drivers can see you. Wear brightly colored clothing, and if you walk during low-light hours, such as dawn or dusk, be sure you have reflective material on your clothing or walking shoes, and carry a flashlight.

Saturday, June 6, 2026
Kiwanis - Plymouth, Indiana is hosting their annual Kids Triathalon in Centennial Park! Here is the link with more information on the event and how to register your kiddos:
https://app.givegrove.com/kids2026

Save the Date!

To find more information and register visit:

https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Culver/CulverCommunitySchoolsBoosterClubColorRun

Choose between a fun 1 mile walk/run or a 5k. The 1 mile route will run around the Culver Schools Corporation and the 5k route will run through downtown Culver. The race will start at the front of Culver Community High School, Door 32. Both routes will finish on the Culver Middle/High School football field. This will be a fun run with several color stations manned by our athletes ready to toss color powder on you as you pass by! Registration includes a white race t-shirt and neon sunglasses to wear to show off your colors! Join us for the after party on the football field!

Saturdays at 9:00 AM
Centennial Park (meet under the canopy near the tennis courts)
Step away from the noise… and into a peaceful, intentional start to your morning.
This guided Meditation Walk is an opportunity to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with yourself and the natural world around you. Together, we’ll move with awareness, presence, and ease in a calm, supportive space.
What to Expect:
• A mindful 3–5 mile walk
• Gentle guidance to help you stay present
• A welcoming, judgment-free environment
Details:
• Ages 12+
• No pets, please
• Bring water + dress comfortably
->After the walk, you’re invited to stay for an optional tea + coffee gathering, an opportunity to connect and continue the experience.
This event is FREE, we’d love to have you join us.
Come as you are. Leave feeling grounded, clear, and connected

Registration: https://www.facebook.com/events/1609741823662062/1609741910328720/

Save the Date!

Download the digital guides to water and greenspaces, including trails you can walk in Kosc. Co! Check these out as you get started. https://visitkosciuskocounty.org/digital-guides/

Nothing beats a warm cup of apple cider, a crisp fall breeze, colorful leaves falling, and a comfy fall sweater. The beauty of fall offers the perfect excuse to take a weekend trip to hike amidst the bright autumn colors, go to a fall festival filled with hayrides and pumpkins, or relax near lake waters with a hot drink. With over 100 lakes, 11 nature sites, and a variety of fall activities, Northern Indiana’s Kosciusko County is the perfect fall destination.

Check out these Fall Hiking Locations:

https://visitkosciuskocounty.org/blog/places-to-experience-fall-in-indiana/

Kosciusko County Freedom Fest will celebrate America's 250th birthday in Warsaw on June 5,6,7 2026 at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds at 1400 East Smith Street, Warsaw, right on Winona Lake.

Join the Stars, Stripes & Steps Challenge or join the Freedom 5K! Information below or visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580110891106

https://link.thestepupapp.com/FFZdNB?fbclid=IwY2xjawRJ745leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe5HlvNeBM50e3Z_QgCevzd280WdLYWFS9tvfFLdaUTMa7p1R5_YDw9TwtyhY_aem_qn49lEUqiUKeDvWTMsVc0g

Dates: September 25-27, 2026

Combining the fun of some of our favorite season ending events, this weekend is for the whole community with trail runs, a 6 & 12 hour MTB race, kid’s MTB clinics, Kid’s Night Ride and more If you don’t want to race, ride, or run, that’s ok! Come for great merchandise, kids bike events, live music, and food trucks. All events raise awareness and money for our community to be active in the outdoors at the Hauth Trailhead Expansion and the future Winona Lake Bike Park. You won’t want to miss this great weekend!

Races will be scored and have prizes, but our goal is to have fun and not take things too seriously. This is a fun community fundraising event, thus scoring will not be done professionally, and may require participant involvement and a level of honor code/trust.

There are many more featured events here! Check out the schedule https://kcvcycling.org/initiatives/winona-lake-trails/events/winona-lake-trail-fest/

To submit your steps weekly please use the Google Form link below!

https://forms.gle/AQ6PyziG6jWtiWy97

or

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMsw7ee_kQjkatpnaMkBduGnoDpgSvrWE6aEs2Yi5y0tMnmA/viewform

Input a total of steps for the entire week. You will use the same link each week but please only submit steps for the previous 1 week of steps.

**If the link is not working try copying and pasting it into the browser directly. It looks like Kosc. firewall may be blocking the link from this page***

Karen Richey

Email: krichey@purdue.edu
Website: extension.purdue.edu/Marshall
Location: 112 W Jefferson St, Plymouth, IN, USA
Phone: 574-935-8545
Facebook: facebook.com/marshallHHS

Purdue University is an Equal Access / Equal Opportunity Employer.