If you’ve been missing travel, think about Henry David Thoreau.

Thoreau was born in Concord, Massachusetts on July 12, 1817, and died there on May 6, 1862. And except for just a couple of brief excursions to nearby states, he pretty much spent his whole life in his native town…and he found great inner peace and happiness there. He was quoted to say: ‘…I have been nailed down to this my native region so long and steadily, and made to study and love this spot of earth more and more’.

So, during this pandemic we’ve been essentially ‘nailed down’ as well. To keep sane, happy and healthy, we’ve rediscovered our local natural wonders and have logged in miles of trails over the past year. This Winter we braved the cold, and got outside to marvel and appreciate the beauty around us as we wait for better times ahead to explore further. Here are just a few thoughts on why we love walking in nature.

A river runs through it. How beautiful is the sound of rushing water as it travels along its bed, bubbling over rocks and branches? Creating pools and eddies, one can sit, stroll and hike along the riverbank and watch it for hours.

Our local New Jersey treks along the Black river in Hacklebarney State Park, The Ken Lockwood Gorge and Steven’s State Park along the Mustconetcong are just a few examples of rapid waterways that are a delightful escape from the everyday.

Ain’t no mountain high enough. ‘Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view. Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.” ― David McCullough Jr.

Seeing the world from a mountain top inspires the adventurer in all of us and brings a sense of accomplishment and reward once we reach its peak. This Winter we took an extraordinary trail up Mt. Minski on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware Water Gap, along the Appalachian Trail. A great rocky climb over babbling brooks, through rhododendron tunnels ascending to spectacular views.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland. Our snowshoe treks through our very own trail system in our home town of Randolph, NJ have provided a nearby escape to a serene world. Trails blanketed by pure white snow turn the world into a sparkling paradise.

Snowshoeing gives you the freedom to leave the main trails and go trekking through fresh snow, blazing your own trail, leaving nothing behind but your own tracks. It may start out cold, but you’ll warm up quickly with a healthy stride and lungs full of crisp, refreshing air.

These simple pleasures are all around us, waiting to be explored and enjoyed. You don’t need to spend a lot of money (even investing in a good pair of snowshoes is around $100, and you’ll have them forever) to get outside and do yourself a world of good. Recharge your body and soul by taking a break from whatever screen you’re stuck in front of and escape the news for a minute. Now…go…get outside!

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