Late last month, Gov. Patrick Morrisey ramped up his health initiatives with a new challenge for West Virginians — get out and walk in our beautiful state.

His Mountaineer Mile challenge has expanded to include 32 of our state parks, in which it is fairly easy to find incredible places to walk (at least) a mile each day.

“As we’re getting out and getting active, what better place to kick off the Mountaineer Mile than in one of our beautiful West Virginia state parks,” Morrisey said. “That’s why today I’m announcing that we will be designating a Mountaineer Mile trail in each of our state parks that have hiking trails.

Though we live in a wild, wonderful state dotted with state parks that make visitors from all over the country ooh and ah, many of us spend the majority of our time indoors — maybe even sitting at a desk. This initiative aims to give us a chance to change that.

“What this Mountaineer mile has really been is kind of more than just the mile,” said Department of Human Services Secretary Alex Mayer. “I could easily find a lot of excuses why I can’t get out there and do those things that are going to keep me healthy. But I think for me, it’s finding that purpose for me, staying healthy.”

Morrisey is right that a mile a day in the woods will do more than just help us get some exercise. There is so much to see, learn and appreciate — in our state parks, yes, but even in our own neighborhoods and municipal parks.

Morrisey says he’s trying to lead by example, and on the day of the state parks announcement had completed more than three weeks in a row of daily Mountaineer Miles. He was planning to embark on his 20th after the announcement.

If a person with the time constraints of a governor can do it, so can the rest of us.

Get out there. Don’t wait. Do it today. Take one step at a time (or, approximately 2,440 of them for a whole mile), and start your journey.