We live so close to the beach, the coast, and so many hiking trails, but we rarely take the time to get out and enjoy them with my husband’s busy schedule and two young children. Honestly, it can take us up to two hours to get everyone ready to leave the house anytime we go out.
But last weekend – no excuses! We forced ourselves to get going – unshowered and uncombed – to explore some local horse trails and take advantage of the limited morning time we had together. The boys got to see horses, chickens, peacocks and a lot of dogs walking on the trails. They are always happy outdoors exploring and I realized we need to prioritize the quality time we spend interacting with nature.
There are many websites where you can search for trails and nature preserves in your area. Luckily, the areas near us include horse preserves and trails that are open to the public, although they don’t allow strollers. Be sure to check before heading out the door so you aren’t stuck at the bottom of trail lugging around a stroller.
There’s a multitude of online resources to help you find local parks and trails, but here’s an index created by the National Parks Services. Check it out for quick nature getaways or longer, more adventurous trips.
We encourage you to get out and enjoy the fresh air! Kids love getting dirty, inspecting new plants and animals and running free on the trails!
