Welcome to another edition of “Readers Weigh In,” where I pose a question on the Go Explore Nature Facebook page and you respond. Then I feature as many answers as possible with everyone here (along with a link to your wonderfully amazing blog if you have one).
The question I posed this week was actually inspired by all the amazing and thoughtful comments left in response to the eBook review of “A Tree for Max.”
What Was Your Favorite Place in Nature as a Child?
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| The Explorers on an annual trip to Yosemite |
Here’s what some of you had to say.
Anne:
As a child, one of my favorite outdoor spots was an old apple tree we had in the backyard. There was a tire swing hung in it and I just loved to go climb it or swing and watch the birds that would come to the nearby feeders. I also spent a lot of time at the beach during my childhood because my grandfather had a trailer and camped there all summer. Great times those were …
Beverly H.:
My backyard!!!
Brandy R.:
The creek down the the dirt lane from our home.
Chelsey:
When I was little, we had a big white birch tree in our yard. I loved climbing it and hanging out in it. One year a small tornado went right through our neighborhood and knocked it down, but my parents had it pulled back up with cables and it survived!
Janie R.:
My favorite place in nature was climbing trees – the view from 15 feet up was amazing and, fortunately, no falling accidents!
Ken M.:
My grandparents’ farm in Indiana.
Lisa E.:
My favorite place was actually in my friend’s back yard up in her orange trees. There were two different ones and they were our homes, offices, airplanes, you name it. We went out to our trees everyday and let our imaginations run wild. Haven’t thought about those trees for a long time.
Mel from Traveling Mel:
My favorite place as a kid was a big oak tree behind a friend’s house. And the beach. And big granite slabs in the Sierra …
Rebbecca J.:
I grew up in trailer parks in upstate New York so needless to say finding an escape was crucial for me! Thankfully we lived near a bit of forested land, if you went down into the forest you came across a large stream that was always running and had many trillums, skunk cabbages and other beautiful plants growing. I would adventure up and down the stream for hours and no one worried about me. It was pretty magical.
Sarah from The Cabin Path:
My favorite tree when I was growing up was a huge, curved oak tree. I would get up early, pack a snack and a book, and ride my horse, Penny, down to the old tree. It was curved like a huge lounge chair, and I would have to slide off her back onto the tree, but it was the most comfortable place to lean back, read, and let Penny graze around on the grass. I spent many hours on that tree … watching clouds and critters and nature.
Many years later, I learned that my old tree was a Native American signal tree. It had been bent and tied to grow crooked when it was a sapling, and it marked a ceremonial rock circle on a hill not far away. It was documented by the Mountain Stewards. 54 years later, I still live on the property, although the old curved tree blew down several years ago in a storm. I have pictures of my old friend, but none compare to the memories I have forever etched in my mind!
Susan Mary R.:
A field of daisies at the end of our road
I grew up a block from the beach and spent a lot of my time there.
If you want to get in on future conversations, be sure to “like” the Go Explore Nature Facebook page.
Now it’s your turn – what was your favorite place in nature as a child?
