Land that I love

This week we’re talking about favorite places in nature. Over the years I have had many places that I love. There are several places that I would love to go back to. I love nature, I love being away from the noise, clutter, and closeness of town. The first place in nature that I ever fell in love with was talked about last week when I told you about my tree on my grandparents’ farm. It was a special place, it allowed me to get away from so much. It also let me overlook a lot of the pasture. The boys only fort that was in a cluster of trees down the hill and to the right was in perfect view of my spot, a little creek ran down there as well, and there were always sheep around; including my dear Homer (named after the author NOT the cartoon).

The next place I loved was the Mississippi River. I loved growing up on the shores of this great river. Even when it flooded I still loved it. It still gives me a sense of calm every time I am near it.

The Smoky Mountains was a great place. I have only been there twice and both times were in one trip. It was the first time I had ever seen a mountain. I thought it was the greatest place in the world and wanted to move there someday. I longed to have a secluded cabin in the mountains where I could enjoy foggy mornings while sipping hot chocolate from my front porch. I imagined days spent hiking among the trees. In my childish mind I also envisioned living off the land much like a pioneer would have. I was twelve when I was there.

Off and on from the age of fifteen to twenty I spent time in Fort Hood, Texas visiting my brother who was stationed there. The first time I stayed I was there for the summer. Texas is a LOT different from Iowa. I felt like there was nothing green anywhere. It was hot and dry. Not far from his apartment complex in Killeen was a park but there was no grass there. I often went there to sit and hang out with my new friends but I missed the river, I missed the green of Iowa. My brother took me to BLORA (Belton Lake Outdoor Recreational Area) which is a park that sits on about 2,000 acres. The lake was gorgeous and a lot larger than the 7 ponds that we had not far from where I lived in Iowa. We rented little paddle boats and spent the day on the water. We went horseback riding. It felt so good, so refreshing to be connected to nature again after having been in a city for a month with no real escape to nature near. When I finally came home after that summer in Texas and we crossed from Kansas into Iowa I felt an immense relief. In spite of the fact that we were still around 5 hours from home I felt like I was home. I felt a sense of calm. I felt like I’d been wrapped in a hug and welcomed back.

There are other places that I love in nature that I find relaxing. I would love to go back to the mountains, sometimes just looking at photos of the mountains is calming. Since my trip through the Smoky Mountains I have also seen the Rockies in Colorado Springs. Where I got to visit The Garden of the Gods. There is such an amazing feeling of awe when you see mountains stretching toward the heavens from a distance. It is indescribable. But I’m not sure that is my favorite spot in nature.

I don’t have any one spot now that I go to with a favorite view. I do have a route that I like to travel for drives to just get out of town. So many times I have heard people refer to my hometown as a “smelly old river town” or refer to Iowa as “Ugly with nothing to look at and nothing to do” but I don’t know what they’re seeing. All of Iowa is beautiful. I love the lush green fields in spring and summer, the rolling golden fields of Fall, the pristine white in the winter, the woods that seem to be scattered throughout and the winding rivers. The cotton candy sunsets in the summer are breathtaking. We have so many places that we love to go to. Those drives just to enjoy the scenery constantly remind me how beautiful this state is.

When you find nature so revitalizing I think it is hard to pick a favorite spot. Can I just say that Iowa is my favorite place in nature? I think I could probably go just about anywhere in Iowa and find a new favorite place to be. Do you have a place that you like that other people maybe don’t see the value in?