My Love for the Great Outdoors
Growing up with first generation indian parents things like hiking, camping, white water rafting, etc where not really things we got to experience. We did travel to national parks, but mostly it was a drive around and get out and walk to the tourist destinations within minutes of the parking lot kind of vacation. To be honest, my dad does love being active and outside but my mother and brother have very little interest. Only when I met my husband, who has always loved adventure, being active and being outdoors, did I come to realize what being in nature truly has to offer.
Now my favorite vacations involve hiking with my family and being outside in nature where the majority of the time you are unplugged from society. It is truly so nurturing to my soul and just makes me feel so incredibly happy and stress free. My two little girls sometimes seem to understand how amazing it is to be outside just walking on a trail and enjoying the scenery unfold, but a lot of the time, the whining and constant "I am tired of walking" does get unnerving. I realized with little ones the most important part of developing this interest in them is to make the hikes not too grueling and make sure there are some waterfalls, lakes, animals, or treats involved. It makes the experience so much more pleasant for us all.
This year we traveled to Glacier National Park. What a beautiful area! If you haven't been, you should go soon as the glaciers will likely be gone in the next decade. Favorite family hikes include: Avalanche Lake, Hidden Lake and the High Line trail. Also, make sure you venture out to the Canadian portion of Glacier National Park and visit Peace Park which truly feels like one of the most peaceful places on the planet. Bring your passport, camera, and hiking gear and go for a truly amazing hike into the wilderness with a high likelihood of encountering wildlife in its natural, green, and beautiful habitat.
