Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones right in your backyard. I spent part of my day at The Highlands in Grand Rapids, a former golf course that’s slowly being reclaimed by nature, and let me tell you, it was nothing short of amazing. There’s something about wandering through this transformed space that leaves me in awe. You never really know what you’ll find—an old tree stump now hosting new life, or a meadow teeming with wildflowers.
What makes these local outings so great is how accessible they are. Everything’s close by, free, and I can head out whenever I want. Lately, I’ve been leaning into these mini-adventures more, especially because they offer such a simple, peaceful break from the day-to-day grind. There’s a certain calm that comes with walking in nature—no schedules, no expectations, just you and the world around you.
Admittedly, this might also be my way of balancing out the fact that I spent most of my weekend indoors, glued to World of Warcraft! Sometimes, you just need that contrast between the digital and natural worlds to remind you how important it is to unplug and reconnect with your surroundings. It feels like a little bit of self-repentance in the best way possible!
If you’re in Grand Rapids and haven’t checked out The Highlands yet, I highly recommend taking a walk. You might be surprised at how much it recharges you.
