Nature's Forgotten Treasures Found in Quarantine

By: Annie Lalonde

The current effects of COVID- 19 have unified us, despite their many challenging aspects. Through nature, we can all find something positive to make the days a little more bearable. Our new allotted time has helped family and friends remember their favorite outdoor activities. I decided to change up my photography for this week's post. I asked friends from across the country to share how they have been benefiting from nature during our quarantine. I was overjoyed at the positive responses I received. If you’re looking for ways to safely escape the house while still social distancing, then I hope you are inspired by the activities below. One friend in Ohio adventures on new trails, another walks his dog on an early morning in Wisconsin, and another remembers simpler times with some fishing in Maine. Someone brought the old kayak out in Illinois, another went off-roading with friends at a safe distance in Maryland, and another poured out her forgotten love of chalk on the front driveway in Pennsylvania. My friends were excited to share with me that even though they didn’t all have pictures, they were finding themselves relaxing in nature in ways they hadn’t for years from gardening with a parent to finding an old bike trail from childhood. With my new allotted time, I have been able to go on walks with my mom, more runs with my dog, hike through my favorite parks and watch the sunset from my front porch. Enjoy the small forgotten treasures of nature during this quarantine and stay healthy!