Finding Natural Areas Close To Home

Where can you find the best hiking and nature walk trails during a stay in place advisory? Here are 4 ways that aren’t Google or YouTube.

So, with all that’s going on, I’m thinking about something my parents used to say when I spoke the words, “I’m bored.” Of course, their answer was always, “If you’re bored, I can give you something to do.”. Does anyone else remember their parents saying this? 

For me, this statement usually meant they would find some unpleasant chore for me, like cleaning my room. Then, practically like magic, I would find something to keep me occupied for hours. Being the look on their faces implied, it would be so much more than shoving toys under the bed and throwing my clothes in the closet. 

While living in Massachusetts for half the year and while it’s currently under a stay at home advisory it has everyone a bit confused as well as stir crazy. Does this mean we only stay inside our homes? Are we able to enjoy nature as long as we social distance? How far is too far to travel to visit a park? 

With new vernacular being created daily, it’s hard to keep up with all the meanings. As a landscape photographer who travels frequently, I feel you. While this advisory has me staying close to the house, it’s also making it difficult to find nature trails that aren’t overrun with people.  

I’m a bit older now, but my head is filled with those same childhood excuses for boredom. (insert childlike whine now)

But I’ve already photographed everything interesting where I live, so what else is there to shoot? Yep, we see our tiny section of the world and think nothing of it. We walk down the same streets, see the same houses, and pass by the same stores on autopilot. Where else is there?

4 WAYS TO SEARCH PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATIONS BESIDES GOOGLE AND YOUTUBE

Before searching Google and YouTube for the umpteenth time then jumping into your car and driving to popular recreation areas, try using these options to find a brand-new place to explore around your town. 

Join your town’s Facebook page or social media feed. Residents in your area are a wealth of information. Besides being able to see your neighbor’s photos, you can connect with them also. A win-win if you ask me. 

The other social player on the scene is the Nextdoor app. It’s similar to a Facebook page. People post information about their neighborhood, but signup requires members to use real names and verified addresses before using the app. Check out their mission statement, it rocks. 

Try using the Alltrails app. I’m always up for a hike or a nature walk, rain or shine. This free app is another great resource to find hiking and scenic trails close to home. I rely heavily on it to guide me to some incredibly photogenic spots. With Alltrails, you can explore places close to home using their GPS trail maps. You can also see trail distance info, elevation gains, get direction, and make a favorites list. A big bonus is the real reviews and photos from a community of fellow hikers on current conditions. There are also filters to find difficulty levels, kid-friendly, dog-friendly, or wheelchair accessible trails. 

Another option, and my personal favorite, is to ask a neighborhood police officer where the secret spots are. Now, this suggestion might feel weird, but trust me, they are a fan-freaking-tastic resource when it comes to finding unique locations within your hometown. They know the city inside out and can point you to the best areas few know about. I never miss an opportunity to ask them where the best photo locations are. And I use the video feature on my phone to record their suggestion because I can’t write that fast. 

CONCLUSION

Nobody knows how long travel restrictions will last or how it will affect the future. Plus, it just plain sucks. I hope using these options gives you another way to search for outings located in your home town. Leave a comment with a specific example of how you can use these alternatives to Google or YouTube. If you know of someone who would enjoy discovering new locations to visit and photograph in their home town, during the stay at home advisory, please pass this along.

Stay safe, healthy, and close to home. As always, let’s take all the side roads together (keeping at least 10′ apart, of course 😉) and enjoy the views along the way.  

Want to keep this information handy don’t forget to bookmark the page. Sign up and I’ll send you the free 10 Hiking Essentials Checklist. And I’ll keep you in the loop on where to find the best locations without going to all the same places as everyone else. 

If we’re not connected on social media come on over and let’s be friends. You can find me on Facebook or Instagram @thehikingtexan

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