Tag Archives: outdoors

A World With Octobers

Posted on by
7

If you asked me to rank the seasons starting with my favorite, it would be Fall, Winter and then Spring. Summer is so unpleasant it doesn’t merit a mention.

Ask me about my favorite month of the year and October is a clear winner. There’s nothing like October with its moderate daytime temperatures and cool evenings. The sky is typically a pleasant blue and the light turns golden, creating spectacular photo opportunities at nearly any time of day.

Late bloomers in my flower beds hang on until the first hard frost and the landscape is dotted with colorful mums, marigolds and asters. Grown adults get excited about pumpkins and some of us still roll up our sleeves to carve a Jack-o’-lantern.

Cute hats, scarves, boots and sweaters begin to replace shorts and t-shirts and not a moment too soon. Summer clothes are rarely a good look for me. Not to mention the joy of having soup simmering and hot chocolate at the ready.

And the events! Let’s not forget all the fun events that come with this month. In fact, it feels like there are too many activities to pack into just 31 days. Ghost walks, fall festivals, open houses and so much more offer opportunities to explore.

Truth be told, I almost welcome the fall rains that set in come November. As much joy as October brings, I teeter on the edge of ready for a break from all the running by the time the weather turns sour.

Almost but not quite. After all, who would wish away all this happiness?

I plan to hike more than normal this fall and to study the foliage maps to make sure I’m maximizing exposure to all the pretty leaves in my weekend wanderings. I’m going to make popcorn for special couch time screenings of It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and a few other seasonal classics. Maybe I’ll even buy some Halloween candy.

There is much happiness to be discovered in October and I solemnly swear to do my best to enjoy life to its fullest this month. After all, life is short and a gal only gets so many chances to savor her favorite month.

To quote Victorian era author L.M. Montgomery “I’m so glad I live in a world with Octobers.”

Outdoor Inspiration From Durango

Posted on by
6

One of the things I like best about visiting Colorado is seeing how active people tend to be. Everywhere you look in towns and cities there are people out walking their dogs or jogging. They are kayaking, mountain biking, hiking and on horses.

They seem to just accept that the weather will do what it wishes and they will simply dress for comfort.

It helps that there are so many bike paths, state parks and well maintained sidewalks.

Fast food doesn’t appear as readily available as it is in Ohio so people seem more likely to sit and eat real food and their waistlines show it.

Visiting here always makes me want to do better at getting outdoors and eating my vegetables. I have high hopes for better habits based on inspiration gathered on this trip.

We hiked one morning at Horse Gulch Trail System on the outskirts of Durango. The parking lot is paved and then you hike or bike to the top of a hill to access several miles of trails.

The trail we chose had some old telegraph poles, wildflowers and gorgeous mountain views. There’s little shade but it was still a fun experience.

It reminded me that discomfort, like the harsh sun, isn’t a good excuse to skip out on outdoor time. Ohio’s ridiculous humidity is a better excuse but I eagerly hit the trail last night and thoroughly enjoyed that experience too. Even in the humidity.

I hiked about two miles at Cedar Falls- not a long hike but enough to relax my mind and work up my heart rate.

Time in nature is vital to physical health and mental well-being. I felt better after our hike at Horse Gulch and feel even better after my hike last night despite my sore muscles.

Time in nature can calm the soul and can heal old wounds. It can relax the body and quiet the mind. It can make sleep easier. It can make everything better.

Wherever you are, regardless of weather and all the other excuses, I highly recommend a walk outside. You can thank me later.

Home From Adventure

Posted on by
5

I have been out exploring for the last several days. It was my annual whirlwind western adventure trip with my Wyoming gal pal. While I’m sad to see it end already, I am pooped and ready for some rest in my own bed and my own time zone.

We had a nice mix of planned and unplanned adventures, time outside, time indoors and yes, even some independent bookstore shopping! In so many ways – both in lifestyle and in appearance, Colorado is like the surface of the moon compared to my Ohio home so I’m feeling inspired to make some lifestyle improvements.

I like adventures that make me want to be a better person.

There are lots of stories and pictures to come so be sure to check back tomorrow and the days to come!

Sunset Ridge Lavender Farm

Posted on by
6

My house smells of lavender right now and I’m savoring the aroma.

Yesterday, my oldest and dearest friend and I set off on an adventure at Sunset Ridge Lavender Farm near Yellow Springs, Ohio. For $10 you can cut a bouquet of lavender to take home and they have several varieties for your consideration.

Each variety has unique qualities like Folgate that has flowers of an almost iridescent periwinkle blue. Purple Bouquet has long dark stems that make it ideal for craft projects. Each variety has different qualities for cooking.

I have always enjoyed lavender but never found myself in a situation like this one where I could experience the differences in varieties. At a glimpse, it all just looks like lavender but it’s clearly different on closer inspection.

The leaves and the flowers on each plant have an array of textures and the aromas are drastically different. Your nose will recognize when you have moved from one variety to another.

I came home with a bouquet that includes some of everything. Like the bees that flitted from one plant to the next, one row to another, I moved about clipping a few stems from there and a few from here,. I did this until my fist was full and I was confident that I had enough white lavender stems mixed in with all the rich purples.

There was a shockingly large crowd just twenty minutes after opening and, as people left, more continued to flow in. Many were there just to collect their bouquets and to take a selfie or two. Others came with little kids dressed for portraits. Some brought spouses who stood in this small sea of lavender looking lost and making me grateful to be there with a friend who shared my enthusiasm.

It was a good day.

Plus, they have a pretty purple barn, some welcoming chairs in the shade and some baked goods for sale.

My car now smells strongly of lavender and I’m confident that I should always keep lavender in the vehicle from here on. We were both inspired to pick up some lavender seeds yesterday so we can have our own patches at home.

This isn’t an enormous lavender patch but we were quite happy with the experience. You can find Sunset Ridge on Facebook to learn more about location, hours and their season.

Kingwood Center Garden

Posted on by
8

This weekend took me to a new favorite place. Kingwood Garden Center is a 47 acre estate in Mansfield, Ohio. It’s the former home and historic estate of Charles Kelley King. A native of Maine, King was hired as the first electrical engineer at Ohio Brass in 1893. He rose within the company, eventually becoming president and chairman of the board. King had the house and grounds built in 1926 and lived here until his death in 1952.

He had a library, an office and a reading room! They were equally fabulous.

Married and divorced twice with no children, King understood the value of his home and commissioned a study to determine the best future use for his estate after his death. The result was the creation of a foundation that opened the gardens to the public in 1953.

Today you can explore the home, gardens and greenhouse for just $8 admission.

This place is fabulous and surpasses Franklin Park Conservatory as my favorite place to stroll through a garden.

They currently have a Lego exhibit that integrates Lego sculptures into the estate. I really liked this Monarch Butterfly which is comprised of 39,708 bricks. It took 425 hours to build!

There are so many nooks and crannies to explore, benches to rest on and lovely flowers to enjoy.

Plus, they have a greenhouse, a cafe and gift shop. You are also welcome to bring in your own picnic food if you wish. Want to visit? Get all the information from their website!

What Good Is It?

Posted on by
1

“What is the good of your stars and trees, your sunrise and the wind, if they do not enter into our daily lives?” E.M. Forster