CLARK FORK — Achy limbs, brittle hair, and deep wrinkles are often what comes to mind when people think about aging.  Jen Cox, however, wants to redefine what it means to grow older. 

Last June, after celebrating her birthday, Cox decided to complete 50 hikes in North Idaho during her fiftieth year. Cox is using Substack, an online platform that allows writers and creators to publish content, to document her journey. 

Cox began to embrace aging nearly three decades ago, after going on a walk with her grandmother. Cox, then a young woman, had taken note of the age spots on her grandmother's arms. 

Despite the physical characteristics that accompanied her age, Cox admired her grandmother's beauty and confidence. At the time, Cox's grandmother was 76, and the only woman she knew who exercised regularly. 

But Cox also realized they couldn't have been more different, noting that she was "thin but not strong, either physically or emotionally." 

"I was nothing like her. Instead, I felt like a feral cat, scared of everything, including people, life, and the future. I was always ready to run or scratch," wrote Cox in a Substack post. 

Wondering whether she would ever enjoy life as much as her grandmother did, Cox asked, “At what age were you happiest?” 

"50. I had the wisdom of age and a fit, strong body,” Cox recalled her grandmother saying. 

"We're sort of taught to fear growing older," said Cox, "I was really lucky to have my grandmother say those words to me so young because I never did fear it." 

Now, at the age her grandmother dubbed as her happiest, Cox intends to spread her grandmother's wisdom by appreciating aging, the joy of life, movement, and nature during her hiking adventures. 

Completing one hike each week, Cox is on track to finish the challenge in a year. Her Substack's index includes each hike’s name, distance, difficulty and other useful information for readers looking for a trail that fits their needs. 

Cox also narrates each hiking experience, including everything from wildlife encounters to the trail’s history. 

Cox and her husband chose to retire in Clark Fork nearly three years ago, but she has already taken advantage of the many trails North Idaho offers. 

After reflecting on her hiking experiences in the area, Cox encourages others to go hiking in hopes that they will create their own memories. 

"I just want people to appreciate what we have so that we don't let it go away," Cox said, "Get outside and move around and enjoy what we've got here." 

Outside of hiking, Cox said she wants everyone to know that growing old is beautiful. 

"Ignore the wrinkles, those are a part of the beauty," Cox said. 

Although she isn't sure what will come after she finishes the 50 hikes, she wants others to use her Substack to share their hiking endeavors, too. 

"What I really hope is to get some community engagement. I have this section on the site called reader's site, and I'm hoping people will submit their own stories," said Cox. 

The end of Cox's challenge certainly doesn't mean the end of hiking for Cox and her husband, either. 

"I'll keep going on hikes," Cox said, "I can't imagine us not hiking until we got to the point where we couldn't any longer for some reason. 

For Cox, aging will always be a good thing. At 50, she says she has the best mental health and more gratitude toward life than she's ever had. 

"I know that Grandma was right, 50 will be my best year yet, and I’m turning that belief into action," said Cox in her Substack. 

Cox's Substack can be found at: hikenorthernidaho50at50.com.