Oh life...

I feel no shame, I'm proud of where I came from...

Being outside hiking, running and just walking around to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the world is something I love to do. Less than a mile from my house in Connecticut is Devil's Hopyard State Park, which has gorgeous trails winding in, around and across streams and small rivers. When you go hiking there time fades away and you become consumed with enjoying the natural environment you're surrounded by. Taking my nieces and nephews there during the summer is something we all all enjoy doing, which is great because it's quality time, great exercise and is so so much fun! It's literally an area with no cell phone reception, and once you're on the trails you rarely run into other groups of people. The calming sounds of running streams in the distance, birds chirping all around you. Another great hiking area in my town is at Gillette's Castle, which is a much more relaxed area to wonder around trails.

 

...I was born and raised in the boondocks.

Another amazing place in town I love going to is a small pond owned by my friend's neighbors. Even though the water seems to be freezing no matter what time of the year it is, it's a fun place to go and swim, canoe or kayak around. The area is so well preserved by the owners, which is so refreshing tot see. Turtles, fish, snakes, birds the whole lot of animals that are there still have their original home intact. This is the type of environmental preservation I wish I could see every where I go because now generations of people will be able to enjoy the land along with the rest of wildlife. It's just a win-win situation for the entire eco-system!

And one thing I know, no matter where I go...

Since I attend college in the Finger Lakes region of New York there are also amazing places to go hiking. Watkin's Glen, the Ithaca Gorges and Treeman trails to name a few are well-preserved and make for fabulous fun weekend activities. All in all I love the outdoors, although I must admit I am not a fan of camping at all!!! If you ever want to go for a good long hike or walk through the woods, you know who to call now!

...I'll keep my heart and soul in the boondocks.