[Originally published in the Monroe News on August 4, 2023]
One of the really great things about our beloved state of Michigan is all of the opportunities for recreation. Has anyone ever counted up all of our State Parks and State Recreation areas? I’ve maybe frequented a dozen of them so far and I think I’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg. Our state is truly a haven for camping, boating, fishing, hunting, hiking, etc. The opportunities for recreation are seemingly endless.
My favorite forms of recreation involve hiking and trail running. You might also throw in camping which combines nicely with my favorite forms of movement. Anywhere I go I’m on the lookout for a nice trail to explore. When I have free time (usually a rarity!) I love to head out for some recreation on the trails. One of my big summer adventure goals this year was to hike a big alpine loop over and around two of the biggest mountain peaks in Colorado. It was refreshing!
Recreation is good for all of us no matter what form it takes. If you like the great outdoors then go for it! Maybe your form of recreation is taking care of the garden and the lawn. Perhaps recreation can even be an inside hobby like sewing or crafting. At its heart all recreation needs to be is something we enjoy and hopefully something that helps us renew and rejuvenate. If nothing else, our recreation should also involve rest.
If you were to do a bit of word studying you would find that the word recreation comes from the Latin word for “create again”. Literally we might say “re - creation”.
