I went for a long hike today in Clarence Fahnstock State Park in the Hudson River Valley of New York
The hills were crowded with Mountain Laurel and mosses, great big Granite outcroppings were everywhere, I located lots of small ponds and big lakes to revisit this summer with some fishing gear and my kids
I even found an enormous Beaver Lodge...really cool to see that!
What places give you the most happiness MC'ers?
I used to go camping with my partner, also driving across the country, hiking, visiting the beach, being with nature in general. My favorite states to visit we Arizona and New Mexico.
shareOh, I've never visited The Southwest
Hope to someday though
There really is something de-stressing about nature walks
Sedona, Arizona is a particularly interesting city. Check this out:
https://www.thetoptens.com/paranormal-strange-aspects-sedona-arizona/
Interesting link
I'm not a believer but I'ts pretty fascinating to read about things people have experienced
This is my happy place. Fresh air, good exercise and great scenery. Best thing about it I can go to my happy place everyday!
https://media.timeout.com/images/103510283/image.jpg
The Rockies👍
Never been there but fine choice
I have never been to the place I pictured. Just posted it as an example. But I would love to go there biking and camping. Its called Glacier National Park. Its in Montana.
http://www.funcampinggear.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/glacier-national-park-campground.jpg?x21196
I’ve been to a majority of our national parks and Glacier is by far one of the best. They have only one road that goes up to the top and it’s called “going to the sun road”. There were a bunch of those mountain goats basically standing horizontal on the cliffs, I have no idea how, but I even saw baby ones. I recommend it highly if you get the chance but plan wisely cause it’s usually only open 2-3 months of the year depending on weather and boulders falling and blocking the pass.
shareWhen you say "it’s usually only open 2-3 months of the year" do you mean the park itself or are you just talking about the road that goes to the top?
shareI believe just the going to the sun road. You’d have to look into whether or not they close the actual park. You sound like you’re more the camping type, but if it’s open in the winter they have really incredible lodges you can stay in. Also, on the drive there you go right through Blackfeet country. We stopped at a little native cafe that served authentic flatbread and whitefish. I was raised up in major cities on the East coast so it was pretty exciting for me to see such a different way of life.
shareMy happy place is generally 40-100ft under the surface of the ocean, in a beautiful coral reef. Too bad they are dying.
I think I am happiest in nature away from people. It doesn't really matter where. Camping in Sabe, South Africa was some of the happiest I've been, but also just hiking in some of the national parks in Canada and Costa Rica have brought me such joy.
In thinking about this, I'm rather depressed to realize that I don't have any happy places!
There were a couple of candidates/locations, but the most likely one has become a soured experience for me due to people ruining it.
Prelude, I think I know which place you mean. It’s very close by.
shareNah, the place I had in mind was a local park - I still go there but it's kind of messed-up for me these days. Two years in a row the same man (a stranger, didn't even know this guy) stalked me there and I had to call the police twice on him. Plus other things happening that have put me off.
I used to like it so much there that I even thought I'd like my ashes to be scattered there when the time comes! But now, not so much.
You should talk to the Police and give a full description of this person
Make them file a report
A lot of these weirdo-lurker types are well known to local law enforcement...they may have had contact with the guy before
Sorry to hear this
You should be able to feel safe
Oh yep, I filed a report, gave them a description; the police I spoke to were really good actually, they took it seriously and told me I was right to report, gave me the case number and noted the second time that they still had the first report and description on file.
So even if this was the first time the guy gets to be in their system, at least if he does it again to someone else, they already have my two reports.
Unfortunately they couldn't really "act" on anything, go out looking for him or such...but they did what they could in terms of getting a record started, at least.
There have been other similar incidents and even attacks in this park, which is why I think they were so interested in my report and didn't dismiss it.
There has been other, lesser stuff going on there that just turn me off the place even if the stalking didn't, lol! I never stopped visiting but just, less and less really.
You did the right thing...
Hopefully the guy gets serious psychiatric help or gets locked up eventually
Stalking is extremely scary behavior
Best of luck finding a new spot to find your peace and quiet Prelude
Today my happy place is right here at home. It's the first spring day where it was warm enough to open the windows and let in some delightfully fresh air! 💃 If you don't live in a place that gets brutal winters you may not understand what a big deal this is. Sunshine and upper 60s is great!
shareSounds like a happy place to me
shareDefinitely nature, where there's water -- a creek, stream, river, pond, waterfalls -- lots of big trees, lots of green, moss and ferns are bonuses.
There are a few creeks here that are running, with lots of oaks and green because of the rain. Things are growing and blooming, and the air smells sweet and fresh. I love hiking the creek beds with my pup. He was born to hike creeks and rivers, and it makes me very happy to see him in his natural habitat, feeling so happy.
I've heard the Hudson River Valley is gorgeous.
Woods for me too👍
We're going out saturday for another long walk, either around a lake or in the hills
It's beautiful here, but sometimes a poster will mention the Southwest or Mid Atlantic and I start thinking about taking a trip!
Do you like the ocean? I do, but nowhere near as much as I love woods.
Another long walk around a lake or in the hills sounds great. I'm heading out for a shortish walk on a trail next to a creek today. It's so soothing. Love the sound of rushing water.
I'm not familiar with the Mid Atlantic, but I'm not a fan of dry so will pass on the Southwest for me! The rock formations and colours are beautiful, and I enjoyed driving through, but that was enough.
I'd like to visit the Northwest. Old growth forests, ferns, and streams abound there.
The beach is not really kind to me...I burn like a Lobster on the beach plus all of the sand getting in places it shouldn't be...rashes, no thanks
Virginia and North Carolina are gorgeous and the people are so kind...I go down there every year or two and it's hard to adjust to their attitude
Being from the NYC area they all seem like potential muggers or gay guys cruising down there LOL!
I'm not used to people actually being polite or inquisitive...they just walk up to you and engage in conversation, it's hard to figure!
Approaching a guy here in New York...that's a greenlight to get defensive
NY has warped me:/
I'd love to see those giant Redwoods, the Pacific Northwest sounds amazing
Owie. Sand and sunburn is a bad combo. I don't burn particularly easily, but I'm with you on the sand. It does get everywhere 😳
I only went to Asheville NC, but it was so beautiful! My kind of nature. I'm still considering moving there, unless some other place that sounds better comes along. I loved how friendly and kind people there were! I didn't need any adjustment to that, because I'm the same way, engaging in conversation like that. But I can see how you'd have some cultcha shock, coming down from NY to either NC or VA.
The redwoods are amazing. We have some giant redwoods in northern CA, and I've seen them. They're humbling.
New York is awful
I have been to the mountains of North Carolina
and the Church Falls area of Virginiania many times..beautiful country, lovely people
Seems like a splendid area to retire
I'd still like to visit NY some time. NYC and Upper State, for entirely different reasons 😀
I'll have to look into Church Falls.
By the sea on a sandy beach (Brean Sands is a favourite 😊) on a lovely warm day when all the kids and tourists are at school/work. A nice little picnic and chill house on in the back ground with my great friends. Doesn't happen often enough as life gets in the way 🙄
shareIs it the holiday park?
We have those here, they are fun with the family