BRIDGEWATER, N.S. — An appreciation of nature and the desire for a healthy active lifestyle has Bridgewater resident Janice Rand living one of her favourite mottos: ‘never stop exploring.’
“Sometimes I just roam around the woods by myself,” said Rand in an interview, who retired three years ago after a 35-year career in municipal government recreation.
Rand last worked for the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL) as a program co-ordinator.
“A big part of my role was to promote healthy active lifestyles. I’ve always been an outdoor person anyway and I like sports, so it was a natural carry on for me to get involved further in hiking.”
In April 2019, in response to community interest, Rand and other community volunteers formed the group Lunenburg County Hikers whose mission is to “introduce people to the great hiking trails and natural footpaths in Lunenburg County and beyond” and to “create opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to walk, hike, meet great people, learn about hiking and spend time outdoors.”
A planning group meets every few months, said Rand.
“We plan three or four months ahead and do two to three different hikes a month. We try to do them at different times and days” to appeal to different demographics.
Rand said when Lunenburg County Hikers first started, they would get about a dozen participants at the organized hikes but during the last few months interest has been growing to the point they have had to turn people away.
“Because of COVID restrictions we can’t have more than 40 people in groups of 10. Each group has to have a leader. We’ve been getting good numbers. People have to sign up ahead of time. It’s quite popular,” she said.
Rand said Lunenburg County Hikers organizes a variety of hikes; sometimes educational but for the most part, “our hikes are just to be out in nature for the exercise, the social interaction, to get out and have fun while being outside,” said Rand. “We get a wide range of abilities. We try to accommodate everybody.”
Lunenburg County Hikers is linked with Hike Nova Scotia where members can take training courses such as first aid or leadership training for hiking, said Rand, adding most members are experienced hikers who are happy to share their experiences.
Rand has logged some new hiking experiences herself since retiring.
“I had never done serious overnight backpacking. When I retired, I thought I’m going to do that with a few other ladies who had done some long-distance backpacking. So in 2019 we went down and did a six-day hiking trip on a section of the Appalachian Trail in Maine. In preparation for that we did a couple of the more difficult hikes in Nova Scotia. We did Cape Chignecto, a two legger and the Liberty Lake Trail in Kejimkujik, a three nighter.”
Rand said hiking the Appalachians was extreme and challenging, but fun.
Rand also likes to road and mountain bike.
“My faith is very important in my life,” said Rand. “I’m a Christian. It’s a very important part of my life that fits in with my appreciation for nature. God’s gift to us is the world. He gave it to us not only to look after and manage but also to enjoy.”
Rand took the time to answer a few questions.
Q. What’s your favourite place in the world?
My family cottage on Trout Lake in Annapolis County.
Q. What’s been your favourite year and why?
The year we did the Appalachian Trail, 2019.
Q. Can you describe one experience that changed your life?
In 2018, I spent three weeks in Malawi in northeastern Africa in a mission compound there. It was a life changing experience. It was a working trip. It was amazing to see a whole new way of life and culture.
Q. What’s your greatest indulgence?
I always have a big chocolate bar hidden in my desk drawer so dark chocolate is my greatest indulgence.
Q. What is your favourite movie or book?
The Louise Penny murder mysteries book series.
Q. What is your greatest fear?
I’m not a big fan of being underwater.
Q. What is your most treasured possession?
My kayak.
Q. What’s your biggest regret?
I can’t say I have too many regrets.
