Puddle jumping is one of my favorite activities when it rains from the time I could walk until now. Everyone has jumped in a puddle at some point throughout their life, whether they tip toe around the sides or jump right into the center of a lake-like puddle. For those living in enormous cities, puddles and weeds growing between the cracks in a sidewalk may be the only nature they see on a daily basis. Perhaps they prefer it that way, the city life, the concrete jungle. However, there is something to be said for the amazing beauty of nature and everything it does for us.
Take a drive outside of the city; it may take hours or it may take days. You could drive aimlessly until you find a place that truly takes your breath away. Fortunately for me, I just have to open my front door. Colorado is famous for world-class skiing, rafting and the endless beautiful landscapes. To many people out here, the land is the reason they live here. People who live here don't abuse the beauty they hold; they embrace it. From scenic hikes to bike races that follow the curves of the Rocky Mountains, people enjoy being outside and the scenery they get to do it in.
Nature is so grand, it's limitless and powerful. It's one of the only things that technology can't protect us from and it's a necessity to our everyday lives. Aside from harnessing rivers and oceans to create power, nature brings us back to our simplest form. Way up along the ridges of Sylvan Lake State Park, away from cell service and away from everything, there is a change in your being. You feel unburdened. It's just you, the trail and miles and miles of snow melting and pine trees. It makes you feel so little compared to everything else and it's hard to explain how it begins to make your problems feel little as well, even if it's just for a while.
Nature is a way of life in the mountains, you learned how to pitch a tent and fish as kids, raft in middle school and how to drive on mountain roads in high school. Tubing, hiking, skiing and camping are the four words that spark your interest most when planning adventures with your friends. Instead of going to the mall, you have a bonfire and instead of canceling plans due to a potential for rain you pack your rain jacket, an extra pair of socks and call it good. People up here are adrenaline junkies who enjoy local breweries and casual attire. People up here are living to live — it's not about suits and lawsuits, it's about ski suits and swimsuits.
What I've learned from nature is that it brings out the adventure in you. Waking up at 3:00 a.m. may seem like a horrible task for most, but for some that's the time your alarm will go off so you can start your hike for a 14ner. Starting so early means that you will hopefully be lucky enough to summit in time to see the sun rise on a beautiful Colorado morning, when the air is quiet and the colors are vivid. Nature is unpredictable, but you know that the sun will always rise and that is dependable.
Now it's time to go on an adventure. So pack your extra socks, fill up your water bottles, apply sunscreen and find a trail. Who knows where it will lead you.
