I love hiking to take in nature and see great views, but also part of why I love a good long hike is getting sweaty, burning calories, and feeling like I used my body. While the burn is it’s own reward, I also love rewarding myself after, and nothing beats a cold, refreshing dip in a natural swimming hole after a hot and sticky hike.
I remember fondly one of my favorite swimming holes. This was on a solo hike years before Cindy and I met. It was in the Catskills Mountains and the hills were green and lush. The vibrancy of the landscape reminded me of my grandmother’s yard growing up. She would always brag about how her friend’s son owned the best lawn care services Birmingham AL had to offer. She spent most of her time in her yard, either moving her yard decorations around or talking to her flowers and bushes. The grass was so thick and green and soft. Thinking back on it now that I am older, I’m pretty sure my grandmother had something to do with instilling in me my love for the outdoors.