Your own backyard

I cannot tell you how many times I have looked through outdoor magazines and felt the draw to escape to some of those exotic places and get my adventure fix. It seems like there is always some one out there having the greatest adventure in the world. Experiencing once in a life time events. As a result sometimes I feel trapped in my life, in my situation, in my town. I do not feel that I am not fortunate but you know the grass is always greener...right? Not a chance! Come on, seriously. We are all fortunate to live on this great planet and can find awesome adventures around every local corner. I grew up in the south east and felt the draw to the hills from a very young age, although I had countless national and state parks all around me, I wanted more. I wanted to get out west. Eventually I did, I moved to Flagstaff, Arizona and I actually felt a rebirth. I was surrounded by new and unique plants and animals. For the first time this city dwelling, beach bum was free in the desert southwest. What a shocker! For the next few years I had my old surfboard on the wall and sea shells around the house I was living like a beach bum at 6000 feet! It has now been 12 years since I lived at the beach and I actually still have the board! As I became more familiar with my new surroundings, I felt more free than I had ever been. I began reading about the region and was able to explore through the writings of  one of my favorite authors, Edward Abbey. With Ed leading the way through his witty words and eco-terrorist leanings I became a desert rat with no holds barred. The beach was so distant that I stopped hearing the ocean's call and now I really don't see myself ever living coast side again. Eventually I ended up in the Colorado mountains and although the desert pulls hard on my soul still, I know that this is now my home. And I need to stop wanting the past and learn about my own backyard. I will never stop dreaming of far away lands. I will continue to travel when ever I get the chance. However I know that I am lucky to have the opportunity to look around eyes wide and explore this place. So where ever you live take a step back find a local guide book, or look for a park (city, state, or national) and get out there. Change your perspective by looking at the intricacies of a leaf or the liquid landscape provided by the clouds. You do not need Banff, or the Mongolian Steppe, Iceland or Machu Picchu. Every where any of you live there are adventures to be had. Think about it. The key is to explore your own back yard, learn about the flora and fauna, the geology, the history. Get outside and live free!!! Do not mistake this rant as one saying give up your dreams to travel. I encourage you all to travel and see more, what I am saying is often we miss the beauty of what is closest to us with visions of far away lands.