British Columbia is a hikers paradise and the Mid-Island region is among the best of the best.

Unfortunately, many of us don't take advantage of the fabulous opportunities we have because we've told ourselves we're too old … or we're just too far out of shape … or we have too many health problems … or ….

If you've found yourself thinking things like that, then you need to meet Paul Kynaston who, along with his wife Jo, coordinate the Tuesday Hiking Group that meets at nine o'clock every Tuesday morning at Bowen Park.

When Paul and Jo lived on Saltspring Island, much of their spare time was spent building hiking trails and coordinating a club that organized weekly hikes for three different levels of participants.

So when they moved to the Mid-Island region twelve years ago, it's no surprise that they quickly found, joined and soon began to coordinate, the Tuesday Hiking Group.

On an average day twelve years ago, three to six hikers would show up. Now, each week, the group attracts as many as fifty to sixty people, people of all ages.

Speaking of ages, Anna, one of the regular hikers, will be celebrating her eightieth birthday tomorrow. She's just one of several members who are eighty or more. So, if age has been one your excuses, forget it. Happy birthday Anna.

But let me tell you a little more about Paul.

Several years ago Paul stopped building trails because his knees and hips wouldn't take the stress. In fact he had several operations on his knees.

Eventually, he was forced to stop hiking altogether.

Then, four years ago, he had an artificial hip implant followed, six weeks later, by an artificial knee and, two weeks after that, the other knee was done - Three surgeries in just eight weeks.

"Before my surgeries, I was walking around my neighbourhood with a cane," he says, "just a few blocks at a time. So anything I've done sense then is gravy. After you've been through all that and then find yourself at Garibaldi Lake or on top of Mount Benson, it gives you quite a feeling of elation.

"Same with the heart," he continued, "but the heart was easier by comparison."

Oh … did I forget to tell you that Paul had a quadruple bypass two years ago?

"My surgeon hasn't officially sanctioned what I am doing on the trails," Paul grinned. "Of course I don't talk to him anymore."

So now that you've had all your excuses taken away and you think that you might just like to join this group, let me tell you what you are in for.

These hikes are not a stroll in the park. They usually involve five hours of scrambling over fallen trees, climbing up rock faces and coming down steep slopes. Finding yourself on a ten-meter stretch of easy walking will be a welcome surprise.

But if people in their sixties, seventies and eighties can do it … and if people with artificial hips and knees can do it … and if people who have had open heart surgery can do it … why can't you?

I saw the faces of the people who gathered for last Tuesday's hike. They looked healthy, enthusiastic and joyful. And I'd be willing to bet that if you started hanging out with them, you'd soon feel the same way.

I double dare ya to come up with just one good excuse why you shouldn't join in … the kind of excuse you think Paul might accept.