Being an Ottawan at heart, I was raised to love and appreciate nature. And if there’s one thing that I do each summer regardless of where I’m living, it’s hiking through woods. Forget the mosquitos, spiders (heck any bugs!), skunks, racoons and bears – they aren’t a deterrent. Hiking with friends have long been a favorite past time of mine to get away from the hustle and bustle of city-life without having to go completely au-naturel with camping.
But don’t get me wrong – I am obsessed with camping. The whole cooking your food over a fire, making s’mores and singing kumbaya (just kidding, I don’t actually do that when I go camping) shebang just gets me excited for the outdoors. But who are we kidding here. It’s already difficult enough as it is to organize a night out with friends who are constantly working or traveling that trying to organize a weekend camping trip is a nightmare on its own.
Hiking in the woods is easily the next best thing since it doesn’t usually suck up any more than a couple of hours of my day. Making it somewhat doable to organize with a couple of friends – plus it’s typically free for all you misers out there. You get that out in nature experience without having to put yourself through sleeping on rocks, freezing in the night and not being able to reach into a cupboard in the morning for something quick to eat when you’re to lazy to cook something from scratch.
Luckily for me, back in Ottawa, I live right next to a green-belt that’s quite literally littered with trails of various intensities when I’m too lazy to make the treck out to Gatineau Park. Sure, I won’t be seeing any 10 foot high waterfalls, nor will I be climbing around and up boulders that are the size of me, but getting outside and breathing in the fresh clean air is all I really need to help clear my mind.
Moving to Toronto was the best decision that I ever made since I’m such a big-city girl at heart, but sometimes reconnecting with nature is necessary for my mental sanity and health. I crave for the time that I can get away from the craziness that is the internet and always being connected to the digital sphere. I’m no tree-hugger, but I can appreciate the fresh air and stillness of it all when you’re wandering around in the woods.
And it doesn’t get any better when these trails are basically a walk down the neighborhood for me. I can basically pop in for a quick 15 minute walk on any visit back home just to get that much needed breathe of fresh air. There are some trails close to me in Toronto, but noway near the proximity of the ones in Ottawa. So even though I’m in love with the city of Toronto, my heart will forever lie in Ottawa.
Bralette – TRIANGL | Top – Windsor Store | Shorts – H&M | Vest – Forever 21 | Shoes – Adidas
