LAKE TAHOE SOBER COMMUNITY SNOWSHOE HIKE
Take some “Vitamin N” (nature), pair it with good community, mix in some dogs, and that is what our sober community snowshoe offered those in attendance.
For an overcast day at the Lake, it was still a pretty bitchin’ time to gather together and get in some elevation with other sober locals in our community. We met in the parking lot of Tahoe Waterman’s where the owner was working the bar and hooking up community members with discounted fill-ups of some tasty drip coffee from the fine roasters over at Pacific Crest Coffee.
We waited in the parking lot until 9:15 AM for anyone who might have been running a little late, dogs got acquainted, and then we caravanned to the trailhead which was a short 5-minute drive up the street from the coffee shop and we were on the trailhead by 9:30 AM. It wasn’t raining, it wasn’t snowing, and, after about 100 yards up the trail, it was just the right temperature for a good base layer kit. As we walked, we all talked about our respective stories and perspectives on our addictions. The conversations flowed rather easily and made the hike to the top feel far shorter than 1.5 miles. We laughed, we sweat a little, threw some sticks for the dogs, and had a very pleasant time.
The very fact that we have such direct access to being out in nature is such a blessing that many other communities lack. We can quite literally “get high on our own supply” by increasing the production of endorphins, serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine by simply going outside and going on a walk. Furthermore, time spent outdoors helps our brain to re-learn the appropriate ways to experience life in its present moment.
Some Additional Benefits Are…
In Richard Louv’s book, The Nature Principle: Reconnecting with Life in a Virtual Age, he explains that Vitamin “N” (nature) should be in everyone’s diet and that nature provides healing for our mind and body.
Some of the benefits that nature provides to individuals in addiction recovery are:
Boosts the immune system
Increases the serotonin levels in the brain with exposure to sunlight
Combats sleep deprivation by helping to regulate our biological clock
Creates a sense of humility
Provides the quiet time needed for healthy reflection and introspection
Offers time to help repattern the brain into more selfless thought
You can’t help but enjoy a good tongue-in-cheek medication reference by calling nature “Vitamin N” can you? More gatherings like this are ion the works! Interested in organizing your own sober community outing? Then please contact us and we will help get the word out!
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Crow’s Nest Ranch is a project made possible by all of our combined efforts. Big victories are made through the contributions of many people. Together we can do this. Thank you for your support. This project is established with 501c3 (EIN: 93-3484087)
Meet us at 9 AM on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at Tahoe Waterman (5166 North Lake Boulevard, Carnelian Bay, CA 96140), for a Sober Community Snowshoe going up Luke’s Run in Carnelian Bay, California. After we will head back to Tahoe Waterman for a post-snowshoe hang and sip.
Need snowshoes? Then please make sure you contact us at: crowsnestranchtruckee@gmail.com as Tahoe Daves has been kind enough to donate free snowshoe rentals to anyone who will need them!
All are welcome! Even if you do not necessarily identify as sober but are “sober curious”, come! Even if you are in support of others and their sobriety. COME! Of course, we would greatly appreciate that anyone and everyone who joins us will be sober for the event and not plan to use during it.
Lastly, this is an at-will event meaning that your participation and the responsibility for your personal health and safety during the event falls 100% on you.
We hope to see you in a few weeks!