In 2010 I embarked on the one and only backpacking trip I've ever taken, to date, and it was in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore White Pine Backcountry area of Northwest Lower Michigan. Wow, that was a mouthful. My buddy and I packed up, (he mostly) carried in a normal sized tent, normal sized gear, and beer, and camped at site number 1. It was nice to be away from most people and so close to the lake. The hike in was about 2 miles, and you can find out more information about the area HERE. Enjoy some photos I found from the trip. Enjoy the forest near you!
#WayBackWednesday - Delicate Arch
In today's look back, I'm going to Arches. I've been there a few times, but one of the best visits included the hike to Delicate Arch in 2010. This was back when I was still pretty inexperienced with hiking, so I remember the trek getting to the arch pretty vividly. We hiked over expansive red rock surfaces, across streams of melting snow, and through snow that still existed in the shade.
Once at the arch, you realize that rock formation you saw from distance is HUGE. It's overwhelmingly large, actually. Stand there, at Delicate Arch, you feel small in only a way the best things in nature can do. The red rock swirls around, there are formations in the distance, and mountains through the clouds. We were lucky, the sun came out and it didn't rain/snow on us like it was off in the distance.
A year prior, my friend and I camped at Arches NP and hiked to many of the other popular landscapes, but the hike to Delicate Arch always sticks with me. For more information on the hike, history, etc, check out this link to the NPS website.
Where have you hiked that left a particularly memorable impression?
#MondayMotivation - From puffy body to wearing that puffy vest
Disclaimer: This is a little more personal and a little less outdoorsy. If that's not your thing, just check back for another post celebrating the outdoors later this week.
April 2012 - Bloated and puffy, motivational poster against drinking too much and eating whatever you want
This photo, from April of 2012, is one of my most motivating photos. This photo showcases my puffiest time - the first time I was truly uncomfortable with my appearance and weight. My weight has fluctuated so much in the past seven years, it's crazy. Since moving to Texas seven years ago, I've consumed more calories per day than I ever have before. From lazy days drinking on the water to just having more access to eating out, I know I have an unhealthy relationship with food. Knowing this, it doesn't really mean I can manage the problem without a level discipline I often lack and can easily excuse. In the past seven years, my weight has fluctuated 70 pounds which proves one thing: with discipline, I can make it happen even if it has been only temporary.
My favorite excuses:
- I commuted, worked, commuted, and now I'm tired
- We can't walk to the park
- The trails are gross around here
- I'm tired
- It's just easier to go get food instead of making it
- Portion control and good foods are boring
- You only live once
Damn, I'm good at excuses. I often use other people to get out of exercise or eating well, and I am really good at justifying anything bad because it tastes good.
What I know I need to do:
- Cook at home, regardless of time or what my other half wants
- Stop relying on other people to motivate me
- Stop saying I'm tired - I can easily go walk a few miles after work
- Stop drinking as much alcohol
- Hike more and plan for it to be more adventurous
- Really do the couch to 5K instead of just pretending
I always KNOW what I need to do - it's just a matter of doing it. There's always an event, an outing, a celebration, SOMETHING.
This post is supposed to be motivational, or inspire change so I'm going to try. I know what I have to do, and I know it can be done because I've done it. I know health is an even more important factor than looking puffy, so there's that too. Here's to trying new things, staying motivated, and knowing it's all about balance. Here's to the 50th time I've tried this whole balance thing, and here's to hoping I've set up my plans and tools for success.
Sources of inspiration:
- Fellow outdoorsy people - doing all the outdoorsy things I want to do
- Mountains - I wanna climb your pretty rocks
- All these damn babies my friends/family are having - I'd like to be the cool "uncle" who takes them on adventures and shit...can't do that from the grave or being out of shape
- My puffy vest in my closet that is just a little too tight (and several other things, but mostly the vest)
- Just the hope that I'll feel better about participating in group outdoorsy activities
- My dog and his need to sniff and exercise too
- My 2013 body, it was my favorite. I wasn't my lowest weight, but I felt the best.
I have a lot of anxiety around hiking with people. I always open my hikes to anyone interested in going, but I'm secretly terrified someone will judge my speed or ability. I definitely hike my own hike - I sweat a lot, drink a ton of water, and am still mastering elevation changes. I don't give up on my hikes, so why should I give up so easily on my everyday life?
Things I aim to do this summer that would be easier with a little less weight/a little better breathing:
- Canoeing when I'm up in Michigan!
- Hiking from Upper to Lower Tahquamenon Falls
- Bike rides
- Morning park walks w/ the dog
- Evening hikes
I secretly love running. Back in 2012/2013 I kind of got into it when I was living mostly alone and had a lot of time on my hands since my roommate worked away for weeks at a time and my other half was 40 miles away and in school full-time. I used to incorporate running into my routine walks, especially up the hills and I always felt so damn alive. I think I'd like to trail run or run a 5K or 10K, but I know it will require full dedication and a lot less bullshit than I allow right now.
I used to publicize these feelings and goals, then I stopped because I was such a failure and I'd essentially be lying about progress or motivation. I'm trying again, to be vocal and public about this for my own reference and so people close to me can point it out and give me shit if they notice I'm a little too off course.
A few little goals:
- In a healthy way, lose 34 pounds and maintain that loss before turning 34 in December
- Before going to Michigan in June, drop some weight and at least be exercising daily until then
- Start using the VERY NICE gym at our new apartment complex - baby steps, though
- PLAN AHEAD to avoid most excuses... grocery shop like a normal person, check the weather for the week, and set aside time in advance
I had a real wake up call when I wen up the trail to Mt. Storm King... I am way the hell out of shape. I don't want to feel that inadequate again - especially when exploring beautiful places.
Being chubby/fat/out of shape doesn't mean I'm incapable of doing things, it just means it takes a lot more work. I'd like to work harder now so I can get even more out of my adventures, hikes, camping trips, etc.
I hope you all find your motivation, continue to enjoy life the best you can, and maybe even find some motivation in my endless post about excuses and bullshit. Happy trails!
Here are some photos highlighting my general shape and face for each year beginning in 2012.
December 2012 - One of my lowest weights, wearing a size or two smaller shirt even!
May 2013 - Pants were several sizes smaller, shirt the same but fit better, and I looked good. Up a little from 2012, but still good. GOALS...
August 2014 - We took a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park and I'm puffy again.
March 2015 - Puffy AF at Zion NP and not even trying at this point in life
June 2016 - I had been trying, but soon gave up (again)
February 2017 - I had been working on losing weight and getting healthy before a trip to Minnesota, less puffy but it didn't last. Puffy again by summer.
March 2018 - puffy again, but still capable
#ForestFriday - Herman Vogler Conservation Area
Back in my hometown of Rogers City, MI there is a park called the Herman Vogler Conservation Area. The park has a few trails over the river and through the woods just down the road from my grandparent's house.
This place is special because my grandma would take us there to cross-country ski and walk the trails all throughout my childhood. I have fond memories of muddy feet in the spring and sore back sides from falling while skiing in the winter. This park is where I learned to love cross-country skiing and reminds me how much I miss it!
At the end of 2017, I was fortunate enough to be up in Michigan for the holidays and did my final two hikes of the 52 Hike Challenge 2017 here. Hike #51 & Hike #52 Both hikes were through the snow, and both brought back memories instantly. I hold this place near to my heart and look to it as a way to remember the good times from childhood, especially now that my grandparents are older and less active.
The photos below are from a visit my BFF Molly and I made in October of 2009. Enjoy the forest and happy trails!
#WayBackWednesday - My first visit to the Pacific Coast
In 2007, I saw the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. Two of my friends and I were on a road trip to see the country because we grew up in Northern Michigan without many trips out. When I tell stories about adventure or finding my passion for public lands, they all start with this road trip in 2007. I was 23 years old, didn't know what I wanted to do with myself, and was STILL in school because I was afraid to move on/got real lazy towards the end. The trip of 2007, that had me seeing mountains, deserts, and the ocean for the first time really did change my perspective on life.
Since the 2007 trip was adventurous and successful, we wanted more for 2008. In 2007 we planned a bit, but much of it was improvisation. For 2008, we planned a bit more and added thousands of miles to the itinerary to include a variety of landscapes. In 2008, I saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time. Ten years and one month ago, I was driving south on US-101 from Washington to Redwood National & State Parks. To this day, I can remember one of the morning drives and the smell of the sea air. My first visit to the Pacific Northwest/Pacific Coast was memorable to say the least. We stopped at many little beaches, got our feet wet, and watched the sun dance on the water. Here are a few photos from that time in 2008 that continued to change my outlook on life, one gorgeous rest stop after another. Is it any wonder why I've been obsessed with the Pacific Northwest since 2008?
#ForestFriday - Quinault Rain Forest Adventure
I had been to the Hoh Rain Forest before, but had never even heard of Quinault until my most recent visit to the Olympic Peninsula. I was making my travel plans and took the suggestion of an awesome guidebook, and several people, to explore the Quinault area. I didn't quite know what to expect, but I left from breakfast at the Kalaloch Lodge with an open mind and nearly an empty tank of gas - so I had to stop anyway. I gassed up, turned on to the South Shore Road and was instantly in love with the area.
Highlights: Gorgeous lake views, rivers and creeks, waterfalls, moss-covered trees, mountain views, and more.
I drove South Shore Road, with a few stops to walk around, deep into the valley and back on the North Shore Road. Do it however you want, but make sure you drive the North Shore Road. Enjoy the forest, wherever you can!
You technically enter the National Park along the dirt road deep into the valley, I'm assume after leaving it for Olympic National Forest. The borders and boundaries flow together.
Bunch Falls - just behind the sign in the first photo.
The road narrows further into the woods and as it comes around and becomes the North Shore Road.
The North Shore Road is more scenic with less houses and resort stuff overall. Here's a narrow spot with a steep drop-off!
Along the Maple Glade trail, you'll follow a creek with vibrant green plants, moss covered trees, and plenty to see.
As you walk or drive through, you'll notice how these plants all live together - dependant on one another for survival.
A panorama along the Maple Glade trail. You must see it in person to fully appreciate, but this is a good preview. Stunning natural beauty.
#WayBackWednesday - Ruby Beach!
In 2009, my friends Kevin, Molly, and I visited Ruby Beach on a road trip. I could hardly remember it, but as I look through photos it hasn't changed that much in nine years! Take a look at then and now, and enjoy a few more rainy photos from my most recent trip on 4/1/18.
THEN: (March 2009)
NOW: (April 2018)
#MondayMotivation - Help your fellow trees!
One of my favorite things to see in the forest is new trees, ferns, or mosses growing from logs or stumps. Trees never die, they just help each other out in the circle of life. Queue the song from the Lion King. But, seriously, if we took a lesson from this and offered to help one another a bit more, we would probably achieve a better balance. Think about it. Help someone! Maybe you're just a sounding board for someone - you could be the stump, and their idea could be the new tree. Maybe you need a log or stump to help you grow? Who knows? Take a moment to think about it, if it makes any sense at all.... enjoy these photos of trees or plants growing out of other trees or plants.
All of the organisms in an ecosystem work together, and I think we need to rethink our human ecosystem sometimes and see how we can exist more like the plants in these photos.
#ForestFriday - Dino Valley has trees, too!
Texas has some big trees - they just live a few hours away from me. If you go east from Dallas, near the border of Louisiana, you'll find some big pine trees that make you say "ahhhh" when you see them. I love when I have to go out of town and drive through that area, but it's still a bit of a distance for a quick day trip. In a previous post, I focused on the trees in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area at Cedar Ridge and this entry will feature another local treasure known as Dinosaur Valley State Park. People visit Dino Valley for the visible dinosaur track fossils in the Paluxy River and the dinosaur sculptures at the entrance. I visit because you have to cross the river to hike, weeding some people out, and because the hills are great exercise. I ALSO visit because there are streams that flow into the Paluxy and those streams mean trees grow nearby and trees mean heavenly shade from the beating sun. The trees along the trails range from oaks to juniper, with some cedar and live oaks in between. I've found a few, old and large live oaks throughout the park and plenty of little forest areas to offer a cool reprieve from rocky ridges and open fields. Here are a few photos of some trees from my many visits over the past 15 months to this wonderful little gem, only an hour from the metro area.
#WayBackWednesday - Something I made up to talk about the Desert
I can remember when I first visited the desert; the year was 2007 and the locations varied through Western Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas via a road trip with friends. I grew up with hardwood forests featuring scattered evergreens, rolling hills, and the Great Lakes. My adventures prior to college consisted of trips within Michigan or Canada, staying close to the Great Lakes landscape. When I visited the Mountains of Colorado and then the Western Slope, I was stunned. Driving further south, I felt as though I was on another planet taking it all in, mile after mile trying to process this landscape. I wasn't really fascinated with the desert after that trip, but I was introduced. Years following, I visited more desert landscapes - Death Valley, Southern Utah, parts of Arizona, and New Mexico. With each visit, the desert landscape was burned into my brain and quickly became something I couldn't stop thinking about.
Favorite Desert Things:
After the rain, when the ground is dark and plants are vivid shades of green
The plant life - from the resiliency to the variety (the ecology of a desert is fascinating)
Landscape - red/brown hills, snow capped mountains, fields of sand...it all looks good to me
When there's the bluest of blue skies with white puffy clouds above a desert landscape
The variation in weather/climates per the elevation and location
One of my favorite memories, though we didn't see much, was when my buddy and I drove from Houston to Tuscon just to see Saguaro National Park. This trip captured the spirit of our past college road trips while incorporating my love for the desert. I saw those giant, noble Saguaros, and I'll never forget them. I saw the other wildlife too, and the experience as a whole sparked my fascination in desert ecology. After the Tuscon trip, I was fully hooked and I needed to go back. In 2013 I visited New Mexico and Arizona, in 2014 it was back to Utah, and 2015 took me back to Arizona. It's been a while since I enjoyed the desert landscape, and I'm ready to go back.
#MondayMotivation - Power Through
Do you ever have an upcoming trip and that's all you can think about? Me too.
Currently, I have a big project to finish at work and I have to finish moving things from the old apartment over to the new place, as well as clean both. I have a lot to do, but I can't stop daydreaming about my upcoming trip.
In just under two weeks I'll be flying to Seattle and taking a rental car through the Olympic Peninsula for three days. I keep checking trail conditions, local weather reports, and the Olympic National Park website. But, I need to keep moving to clean out and organize the apartments, finish that big work project and get it submitted to the government before I'm in the clear.
This post may be short and without a real point except to say... "POWER THROUGH" whatever you've got going on so you can get outside to enjoy what nature has in store for you. Power through your work project, ice that knee, and get going!
#ForestFriday - Tillamook State Forest, Oregon
Back in 2013, I visited the Tillamook State Forest for a minute or two on my way from Portland, OR to the coast. I visited the Tillamook Forest Center and learned a little about the area, took in the sights from a fire watch tower (replica?), and enjoyed the sound of the Wilson River trickling through. Here are some photos, enjoy!
**Excuse any grainy or poorly lit photos, they're from a 2013 smartphone.
#MondayMotivation - Make it happen!
Standing out on Spectra Point at Cedar Breaks National Monument (one of my "Must See" places in Utah)
It was May of 2017 when I bought the round trip ticket from DFW to SLC. I was going to Utah in mid-August, for a weekend, and I was ecstatic. I was flying out after work on a Friday and flying home on a Sunday night because I didn't have any vacation left to use - it just all fell into place. I had been tossing the idea of revisiting Utah around for a while and I was tracking flights for weeks. I knew I had to go and I decided to make it happen.
While it was a short hike, it was exhilerating to be walking along the rim.
Booking that flight was a rush. Planning the trip was easy and only continued to build my excitement while allowing me to feel the reality of it all sinking in. I had solid plans, some "must do" moments, and a daily itinerary to maximize the time available for adventure. I opened it up to friends and let everyone in my outdoor circle know what my plans were and that I was open to anyone joining in. My best friend Molly decided she could make that weekend work and would be flying out to join me. Her company and our chance to reconnect easily made that weekend one of the best in 2017.
The might Bristlecone Pine - Cedar Breaks National Monument
The 52 Hike Challenge was a major motivator in 2017 as were the various outdoor communities I had connected to online. I had been camping and hiking more than ever before in my life, I couldn't let a weekend go by without something happening. When my hikes were getting repetitive, I knew I needed a change of pace and a weekend away. I looked at many cities, tracked flights for weeks, and weighed many options, but Salt Lake City just worked for that moment and I'm glad it did. I would have flown anywhere for a weekend if the flights and prices worked out so I researched many places - Vegas for Death Valley, Portland for Crater Lake or the coast, Seattle for Olympic, etc. Through this adventure I learned that I could make a weekend work, even with a flight, and that I actually thrived with a limited amount of time because I made every view, rest stop, and moment of daylight count.
I'm thankful that I have the resources to do a spontaneous weekend, because I haven't always been in that position. I'm aware that I'm privileged to be able to run away for 48 hours and see the beauty our country has to offer. I know not everyone can just book a flight and explore. My point with this Monday Motivation is to simply make it happen if you want it to happen. It could be pushing yourself to get outside locally, hiking further next time, finding a friend and taking that weekend road trip, or booking a flight and exploring your favorite places. Too often I fall victim to my own laziness, so this is also a reminder to myself to keep going and make it happen.
A picture from my BRIEF visit (drive through) in 2009.
I've been obsessing over the Olympic Peninsula for months now, so I just booked a flight over Easter weekend to Seattle so I can go hike and reinvigorate myself and find new motivation. Anyone is free to join, but I will be hiking the Ozette Triangle Loop (Olympic National Park on the coast) on Saturday, so plan accordingly. I'm taking suggestions and recommendations for things you love about the Olympic Peninsula and things I "must see" while I'm there. I fly in Thursday night, late, and fly home over night for a Monday morning arrival before work. I'm so excited, probably even more than the flight to Utah last year. Here's to making it happen!
#ForestFriday - Late Spring in Northern Michigan (2016)
It was (near) Mother's Day weekend and I had made an impromptu visit to the north country to see my mom. I was surprised, actually, that the trees were still so bare and the air still so chilly but it was enjoyable nonetheless. These particular forest photos are from some land that is known for sinkholes and giant cracks in the ground near Posen, Michigan in the northeastern Lower Peninsula. Many plants were still asleep and waiting for more sunshine, but there were a few trillium flowers in bloom. Enjoy the forest where you are, and if you can't, I hope you enjoy these photos.
#MondayMotivation - The nervous and excited energy of just getting out there
I still think back to my first, and only, camping trip to Arches National Park. It was part of a great road trip involving two friends that went from Michigan to the west coast and back. My camping prior to 2009 was limited to the Great Lakes and I really hadn’t been in the middle of nowhere like you are in Arches or along US-50 in Nevada. This trip in 2009 was my first real hiking through a National Park, my first middle of nowhere camping trip, and my first time TRULY appreciating the little things like a campfire, cold beer, or a crappy hotel room. When I sit here and think it’s too hard to get outside or it’s too far, I think back to that trip. We camped, road tripped, stayed in hotels, hiked, and everything in between all on a budget and with time constraints. I now look to my peers and see them doing all of the activities from simple car camping to backpacking trips and beyond and I’m motivated. I’m glad to be connected to so many people doing things I had never even heard of before. I’m glad to have memories of being a bit nervous about traveling across the country and camping, but also just so excited. I’m motivated today by my desire to keep that feeling going and the desire to just go for it – whatever activity that may be. Happy trails and stay motivated!
#ForestFriday - Chugach National Forest in Alaska
June 2017: I hiked through parts of Alaska and it included trails in the Chugach National Forest. I went to many places in the ten days I was there, but this place was one of the most magical for me. From moss covered trees to mountain views, this forest had it all. Happy Forest Friday and I hope you find yourself among the trees this weekend.
#SurveySunday - Not quite too much info.
It's fun to share a few random things with y'all... Here are some things about me you may or may not care about learning.
• Favorite smell(s) - Evergreens, that loamy smell after the rain in a forest
• Last cry - I am not ashamed to cry, but it's actually been a while
• Favorite Pizza- Pepperoni and jalapeño
• Favorite Flower- Lilac or Tulips
• Favorite dog - Mutts
• Favorite foot attire- I’d rather be barefoot, but I really like my Chacos or Flip Flops
• Roller coaster - I used to, haven't been on one in a decade
• Hair color - Mine is a dirty blonde
• Favorite ice cream - chocolate alone or + anything (nuts, mint, caramel, etc)
• Pet Peeve - people who don't pick up after their dogs in highly trafficked areas
• Shorts or jeans - shorts...jeans are the WORST feeling clothing ever
• What are you listening to right now - people talking
• Color of your vehicle - black
• Color of eyes - blue
• Favorite holiday - Christmas (but just the commercial version, I'm not really a religious person...so maybe more just Yuletide?)
• Night owl or day person - morning person...my 21 year old self wouldn't even believe it
• Favorite day of the week - Saturday because it's usually hike day
• Tattoos- Maybe someday, but none yet... haven't found the right design for eternity
• Do you like to cook - I really do
• Beer or wine? Both, but please be dark &/or red
• Can you drive a manual shift - yes and I feel everyone should learn even though it's a dying thing
• Favorite color - Green in various shades
• Do you like vegetables- VEGETABLES ARE LIFE (I could almost be a vegetarian, almost)
• Do you work out - I mean, not really, no...but I should be
• Do you wear glasses - Yuppers, just got some nice new ones too
• Favorite season(s)- Fall & Winter (because summer is HELL in Texas)
#ForestFriday - Cut River Bridge Area
Michigan's Upper Peninsula is one of those places that has it all. Back in 2015, I visited and explored the Cut River Bridge area. There are trails into the woods and to Lake Michigan. Enjoy a few photos and go get lost in the forest soon!
#MondayMotivation - An excuse for everything
The pond in the morning at Cedar Ridge Preserve - Dallas, TX
This weekend, I had an excuse for everything. From dinner plans to household tasks that NEEDED to be done, I avoided my local hiking haunts like the plague. I had apartment tours to take, property tours to take, a friend's birthday dinner, chores, shopping, and uncooperative weather. I truly had an excuse for every hour of daylight. Were the excuses legitimate? Maybe some, but certainly not all of them. Could I have taken a hike at one of my standby locations? Definitely. I'm not opposed to hiking in the rain or even the dark, but I used those two situations to justify staying home and being less active. I reached out to a couple of people to see if they would go with me, they were busy, so I used that as an excuse not to go out. The drive to the place I really wanted to go was 45 minutes, through traffic, so I avoided it.
I wasn't motivated at all this weekend to get outside because the options just weren't that appealing to me. I had this problem last year - when I didn't have an out-of-town trip planned, or couldn't drive a few hours to a nice state park, I would lose motivation or begrudgingly go to a local staple and not even enjoy the outdoors that much. So this post today, is about fighting off the excuses, fighting through the illusion that local green spaces aren't good enough, and getting excited about the local haunts that keep me sane between bigger adventures.
Pros of local spots:
- Easy to access, usually
- User-friendly
- A little green in the concrete jungle
- Always there when I need it
- Cheap or free
Cons of local spots:
- Can seem boring
- Often crowded/overused
- Not wild enough/secluded enough
- Trails not long enough
This is all psychological, for me, and once I actually drive somewhere I get a little more excited and can look past the cons. Getting from my apartment to the car is the hardest part for local hikes so here's what I'm going to do to psych myself up:
- Start earlier to avoid people and traffic
- Know that I'll be better off after a few miles through the woods, always
- Come to terms with the fact that this is enough and plan for a more exciting hike the next time - it's all about balance
This post isn't very motivating, yet....hopefully this helps.
I'm aware that this is a personal problem, and is specific to my city life in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. I'm working on being more grateful for the green space and nearby state parks I do have while also knowing I need to balance out these local spots with more adventurous places. I know life can get busy, but the whole point of the 52 Hike Challenge is to make sure I always set aside time for a hike. It is time to get pumped up again and make up for this missed week. It is time to show gratitude for the places I do have nearby and for the peace and clarity they can bring. I hope, if you're having trouble getting outside or are sick of the same parks you have, that you can try to break through that mindset too. Share with me what motivates you to get outside, bonus points if you have a story about feeling refreshed about your local spots. Happy trails!
Cedar Ridge Preserve - Dallas, TX
#ForestFriday - Cedar Ridge Preserve
I'm going to start a new Friday blog series featuring photos of the forest for everyone to enjoy for a few minutes as the work week ends and the potential adventures begin.
Today's location is Cedar Ridge Preserve near Dallas, TX. This place has become a staple for me because it's so close to my house and it has great trails. For the weekends that I can't get away to somewhere more adventurous, I have Cedar Ridge Preserve as a solid local option and for that, I'm grateful.
This place is lush and green in the summer.
In the fall, it's a little more open so that golden sunlight is especially nice.
Even on rainy days, Cedar Ridge Preserve offers a great escape.
While this may not be a traditional forest to me, growing up with large hardwood trees in Michigan, it's what we have available here in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Enjoy the escape into my local forest and stay tuned for a new post every Friday.
For more information on Cedar Ridge Preserve, check out this link.