Remember the old adage, "stop and smell the roses?" There is most likely a very good reason that has remained popular throughout the years. There is something invigorating and at the same time, grounding, about being outdoors in nature. Henry David Thoreau had the right idea back in the day. His two year experiment of living in nature became the famed book, "Walden". The very famous quote from "Walden" begins,
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach.."
Society today could benefit from the lessons Thoreau learned in Walden Pond. So much time these days is spent indoors because that is where technology resides. So it seems it would make sense to get outside and enjoy nature as often as possible.
The weather in the Triangle makes it easy to enjoy nature at any time of the year. Even a ten minute break at work can be taken outside in the fresh air. When sitting outdoors, notice the sounds of nature such as birds, squirrels and breeze blowing through grass and trees. It doesn't take a lot of time to reconnect with natural surroundings.
The Research Triangle of North Carolina is blessed with plenty of natural areas to explore. A great online resource is Research Triangle Park Trails, http://www.trails.com/city-trails.aspx?keyword=Research%20Triangle%20Park&state=NC. This site offers many options in the Triangle for nature walks, park trails, etc. William B Umstead State Park, http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/wium/directions.phpis a great, all around park for every kind of trail from short walks to long hikes or bike and bridle trails.
Whether its a walk in the park or a breathe of fresh air, reconnecting with nature can only be beneficial to body and soul.
Comments