Hi guys, Morgan again! I was on my way home for Thanksgiving and I hit the last back road that connected to my house, a big wide smile was creeping across my face.

I was so ready to be back sleeping in my bed and taking a nap on the couch since I hadn’t been home in a hot minute. I was so happy to be back in the country where there were true back roads, cattle pens, and rolling hills. Now don’t get me wrong the city is a nice place but for me, the country always knows how to anchor me down and it’s home.

Here are 10 perks of living and growing up in the country.

1. There is beautiful foliage whichever way you look.

No matter what season it is there is always something that takes your breath away. The first flowering of the season in spring. The vibrant colors in summer where the flowers, grass, and rivers all look as if the sun was directly shinning on them. Fall time comes around where the rich colors of green, red, yellow, and orange makes the hillside look like gold. Then winter is where the deep evergreens are frosted with the fresh snow. Everything is honestly just magical!

2. Well water is basically The Fountain of Youth.

No matter what anyone says, well water is the ONLY way to drink water. It’s all natural and tastes oh so yummy!

3. Getting surprise presents from my pets.

No, I’m not talking about if they roll over or fetch a ball. I’m talking about when you’re about to leave for school and you open the door and some dead animal is laying right on the other side of the welcome mat with your cat or dog grinning up at you. It is always a treat.

4. Being able to camp in the front yard.

This is a sibling tradition. Each summer my big sister, my baby brother, and I set up our tent in the front yard and camp outside for the night or nights. My baby brother and I put up the tent with my big sister “supervising” us. One summer we spent most nights in the tent and when it came time to finally put it up, there was this big brown spot of grass in the front yard. The parents weren’t too happy but we made so many memories so we were fine with it!

5. FINALLY turning of age to mow the yard and cut wood.

As a middle child myself, I know the struggle of the older sibling getting to do all the “cool” stuff before me. However, when I was 12 I finally got to mow on my own and help dad with cutting wood. I would always jam out to Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, and Justin Bieber. By the time I was done I would end up with a little tan so I was happy!

6. Summer means no school and becoming a river rat.

Everyone loves summer because that obviously means no school but for my friends and I that means we have weeks and weeks of floating the James River. This means a lot of Dr. Pepper, turkey sandwiches, and Peachie O’s.

7. Deer season.

For the people in the Midwest and especially back home there isn’t just four seasons to us, there are five. Deer season is a religion here and that is all I have to say about that.

8. Having a "lit Friday night" is code for bonfires.

A lot of people talk about their crazy Friday nights but for us in the country that consists of bonfires with Dr. Pepper and a lot of s’mores. Sitting around the bonfire and telling funny, old, and ghost stories is the best of times!

9. Waking up to the birds chirping.

I have experienced waking up in the country and in the city. In the city I normally get woken up by all kinds of noises like the trash man, vehicles honking, or people talking really loud. In the country, I normally get woken up by birds or my mom and dad walking heavy.

10. Getting the mail in your birthday suit.

Now I’m not saying go out in the nude to get your mail in the country but you totally could. However you could just go out in boxers and a tank top without a second thought because no one will see you.

All In all country life Is as good as all the country songs say it is. Just like Rodney Atkins sings “And it makes me wanna take a back road makes me wanna take the long way home put a little gravel in my travel” is the best way to do life.

xx M