“Connections we make to people, places, things, and ideas, are what give purpose and meaning to our lives.” – Emily Esfahani Smith
One of my favorite places to be is at home on Kiawah Island, outside walking in the neighborhood or on the beach. This is something I enjoy doing several times a week. (Years ago I loved jogging on a regular basis with our dogs but after having to replace two worn-out knees, my doctor advised me to take up another gentler sport, like walking.) I love going on long walks, especially with Tucker, our two year old Cocker Spaniel. These walks are important to me and he enjoys them as much as I do. It’s wonderful to be surrounded by the sounds and sights of nature, have time to reflect, make plans and feel energized again. Our time walking never fails to put me in a happy, relaxed frame of mind.
Last week Tucker and I went to the western part of the Island for a 2½ – 3 mile walk on the beach. Not many people walk in this area because one needs to pay attention of the tide chart and go out at low tide. Over the years in this area our beach sand has been naturally replenished with by ocean currents and also necessary beach renourishment projects after destructive storms. All of this has created a large sandy area between the Ocean Golf Course on Kiawah and the Atlantic Ocean. Timing is everything if you want to enjoy this beautiful area and also stay dry because during each high time the ocean comes way up on the beach. This was taken as we were approaching the end of the Island.
This was taken as Tucker and I were approaching the front nine holes of the Ocean Golf Course (which is visible in the background right before the tree line). It also shows the path the ocean takes during high tides. In another couple of hours this area will be flooded.
Boston is another favorite go-to-place I love seeing with my husband. A beautiful, walking City full of life and history! This picture shows a few of the many apartment complexes along Mercantile Wharf in Boston’s North End. It was taken from our room at the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel.
Part of the beautiful Boston shoreline taken during a Duck Boat tour of the harbor.
A small area in part of the city where one can stop and relax or meet up with friends.
Much research has been written about the importance of creating a balance between our everyday activities and time spend visiting our go-to-places. People who have a good balance in their life tend to be happier, mentally stronger and experience lower levels or stress. Thanks goes to John for suggesting this important topic for our challenge this week. Please sure to check out his post by click here.
I will close by sharing another one of my favorite quotes.
“Shakespeare, Leonardo da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln never saw a movie, heard a radio or looked at television. They had ‘Loneliness’ and knew what to do with it. They were not afraid of being lonely because they knew that was when the creative mood in them would work.” – Carl Sandburg