12/20/12 - 3:50pm
NEW YORK — For more than 20 years, state park officials in Massachusetts have encouraged locals to get off the couch Jan. 1 and take a hike — nothing too strenuous, but a healthy way to start the new year.
Last year, a group called America’s State Parks expanded the effort, called First Day Hikes, to all 50 states. The group hoped for 50 events but had no idea how many Americans would willingly skip New Year’s Eve revelry in order to get up early Jan. 1 and hit the woods.
