Debby Lamanna fell in love with hiking as a youngster, and she has maintained her enthusiasm for it ever since.
Lamanna, of the Village of Pine Ridge, was born and raised in Pennsylvania with a mountain vacation house, so she was constantly surrounded by nature.
Lamanna is now the Hiking Group of The Villages’ contact person, and she likes the group’s weekly outings.
“There is no obligation with this group,” she said. “You don’t have to go every week or once a month or even more than once a year. We do it because we love it.”
When Lamanna is surrounded by nature, she says she notices a difference in herself.
“There is something very restorative being that close and surrounded by the natural environment,” she said. “I think this goes for a lot of people, but I really enjoy being out in the wilderness.”
Don Valcheff, the group’s leader, according to Lamanna, is the ideal hiking companion.
“He’s the hardy type. He was meant to be a hiker,” she said.
Valcheff, like Lamanna, has spent decades hiking and tanning in nature. According to him, the group’s hike leaders are all qualified by the Florida Trail Association.
“The group takes a hike every Wednesday,” Valcheff said. “We hike all over, not just the local state parks.”
The group scheduled a walk at Hontoon Island State Park recently. The island, which is about 1,000 acres in size and located on the St. Johns River, is only accessible by ferry.
Lamanna jokes that a trek should last the same amount of time as it takes to get to the route.
“There is something to be said about hiking in your own neighborhood, though,” she said.
Lamanna enjoys hiking, not just because it refreshes her mind and lifts her spirits, but also because it keeps her physically fit. She claims that hiking causes you to sweat and that you should be just as equipped for a hike as you would be for a trip to the gym, with water and food to replenish your energy.
For more information about the club, Debby Lamanna can be contacted at dlamanna2@verizon.net or 215-534-0310.