The heady scent of pine trees, the slight rustling sound the leaves, the quiet babble of a nearby brook . . . these are all things found in nature and, for many people, provide a calm relaxing environment in which to spend your time. If you’ve spent any time in nature, you’ve probably noticed that you feel happier in it. Nature provides the perfect place to find our “center”. In nature, you are focused on the setting around you and on what you are doing—whether you are walking, climbing, or simply enjoying the beauty Mother Nature has to offer. When we spend time outdoors, enjoying the sights, smells and sounds of the earth, time seems to melt away. Gone is the urgency that we normally face in the daily routine of our lives. There are no deadlines in nature. Things work on a clock all their own. And, the further we venture in to nature, the quieter our minds become. The noise of our normal hectic lives fade, and our minds are left free to experience the silence and stillness around us.
It is a beautiful thing.
One of the most beautiful places to get back to nature is Wisconsin. Wisconsin’s glacial history provides hiking trails for those looking for adventure, as well as peace and quiet. Wisconsin is home to the Ice Age Trail, a series of interconnected hiking trails that bisect the state in a wavy path that follows topographical features created by the advance of the last glacier. The nicest stretch of hiking is a 32 mile stretch of trail in the Northern Kettle Moraine Forest, starting from Kewaskum and ending in Green Bush, WI. This trail passes by many lakes and is heavily forested. The Northern Kettle Moraine is interesting in that it has some of the most uniquely formed terrain created by the ice age found anywhere in the world.
The Kewaskum segment of the Ice Age National Scenic trail travels through the area just south of Kewaskum, WI, connecting the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern unit with the West Bend segment of the Ice Age Trail. The Ice Age Trail is a thousand-mile footpath highlighting the remnants left behind by glaciers during the last ice age over 12,000 years ago. Designated as a National Scenic Trail, the Ice Age trail follows the terminal moraine of the last glaciation throughout Wisconsin providing some of the world’s best examples of glacial formations you will ever find.
The trail is a great way to enjoy nature but also animals as well. Numerous species of mammals can be seen along the trail, including red fox, American red squirrel, white-tailed deer, porcupine, and raccoons. Some of the more colorful birds seen along the way are various woodpeckers, cardinals, orioles, grosbeaks, and many more.
Remember that becoming more at one with nature is something we inherently strive for as human beings. The experience will leave you feeling comfortable in your own skin as you experience quiet peace and awesome strength at the same time. Spending time in nature will bring you closer to your “inner self” – your true you. In nature, we can drop the masks that we present to the outer world and realize what is truly important in life.
Start your journey back to nature with a stay at Hidden Serenity Bed and Breakfast. Check out the “Quest for the Best” package on our website, “Hiddenserenity.com”. The name Hidden Serenity truly describes the atmosphere at this gem in the woods. What a great place to sit back and relax.
