From childhood, it has always been the friend’s houses with forested land that I have the best memories of. Those with access trails had an entry into an endless world of adventure adding enormous character to what would otherwise be a simple traditional property. This was the determining factor when choosing my first house. It had to have or abut forested land.
This is a Map of my first trail network on that 17 acre lot. I created this network after hiking spruce mountain where my infant was happy as a clam for the 2 hour hike. Having this resource, we were outside for two hikes a day. Her only request was a recitation of a nursery rhyme board book by occasionally announcing Ba Ba Black! We went on a rotating route throughout the network. Later on I pulled my 1 year old in a homemade pulk sled on the gentle trails all through the winter. A tradition that continues today, using a modified ice fishing sled big enough for my 2 kids. Our cat would follow us along the trails.
My kids have reached an age where they are enchanted by their play in the natural spaces I have created access to.
