This week, Terri from Second Wind Leisure Perspectives asks the question for #SundayStills: Are you a fan of your own backyard, or would you rather explore the great outdoors on a grander scale?

Don’t get me wrong, I love my backyard. I love the flowers and the fruits of my labor. Right now, more and more strawberries are ripening each day. After all, June is strawberry season and there’s no better time to eat strawberries than when it’s in season.

However, I do rather go exploring in the great outdoor – hike an easy trail, make some awesome landscape shots, and perhaps cool down beneath a tree canopy or by a stream.

I used to go hiking quite a bit, about once a month if I could manage. Of course, that was before my aunt ran back to China with the excuse of having to take care of her father (my mother’s father). Now, my mom cannot go a few minutes without having to sit down, my knees have been acting up lately, and the UV ray has been so high lately that I had to be slathered in SPF 70 sunscreen before I can step out my front door without triggering my skin lupus.

If there is a favorite among all the places I’ve been to, it’s Cascade Springs. I went there by myself last August. Even though we were in the midst of a drought, there was a torrent flowing downstream and as I walked to the top, I arrived at this stream. I stood there for a moment, listening to the water heading downstream in a quiet manner, like the nature sound I would listen to drift off to sleep. So peaceful. So serene.

I haven’t done a proper hike in over 2 years, not since this hike in June 2021. I absolutely miss being able to spend a day in nature, to take photos that cannot be seen from a car, and walk to places that can only get to by foot.