REDISCOVER THE SIMPLE JOYS OF LIFE AND NATURE

from Roanoke Valley HOME Magazine 2023 Jun/Jul/Aug

Securing your home

BY SHELLEY BASINGER

One of the keys to happiness is finding wonder and awe, even in the everyday, according to recent research. A Journal for the Association for Psychological Science article states the feeling of awe engages five processes — including a heightened sense of meaning — that benefit our overall well-being.

This reminds me of my youngest children, ages 4 and 6, who still get so excited when they stumble across the small scenes in nature that adults often overlook. A fuzzy caterpillar crossing our sidewalk or a slimy worm emerging from the dirt bring these two so much joy. Far too often, I’m too busy heading inside to do another load of laundry to stop and appreciate these moments with them.

This summer, I hope you will join me in committing to a renewed focus on the world around us and finding new or unique ways to spend time with your family outside.

Here are a few ideas to get you started in the Roanoke region: Explore nature from the treetops.

RECOMMENDED LOCATION: Treetop Quest at Explore Park | 50 Roanoke River Parkway, Roanoke

There is no better way to reconnect with the tree-climbing days of your youth than at Treetop Quest, located at Explore Park in Roanoke County. The zip lines, obstacle course and 1,500-square-foot trampoline net are not just for kids of all ages — adults are encouraged to join in the fun, too!

Anyone over the age of 4 can participate in Treetop Quest, as the course has progressively challenging aerial obstacles. There are five courses ranging from easy to challenging.

Visitors to Treetop Quest can try out the Tarzan swings, see if they can make it across the tricky cargo nets, balance on tightropes and fly across ziplines. At the end of the day, you’ll have that same feeling of success as you did growing up when you finally made it to the top of that backyard tree.

Learn more about Treetop Quest on their website: www.roanokecountyparks.com/505/Treetop-Quest.

Explore

RECOMMENDED LOCATION:

Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden

2000 Fishburn Parkway, Roanoke

Connected to the highly popular Mill Mountain Zoo and Mill Mountain Park is the recently revived 2.5-acre Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden, a project of the Mill Mountain Garden Club for close to 50 years. According to their website, the club estimates that its members have put in about 80,000 hours nurturing, cultivating and expanding this beautiful garden atop Mill Mountain.

From 2018 to 2021, the Mill Mountain Garden Club raised about $200,000 to restore the property. Visitors will notice major upgrades, including replacing the aged pond at the center of the garden with a cascading tiered pond and rerouting some of the walkways. The club also added new stone benches — so you can stop and take it all in — as well as a fairy garden and new educational signage.