Time to enjoy the outdoors

Come on, let’s go for a walk.
The weather has been gorgeous for the past few days, and it looks like it’s going to continue to be nice into next week.
So get off the sofa, turn off the TV, ignore Facebook, and get outside.
There’s never been a better time to go for a walk or a short hike, enjoying nature and the changing colors of the season.
The options are plentiful.
The fitness trail at Jay County Hospital is convenient and has plenty of parking. The trail around the pond at Hudson Family Park in Portland seems designed to lower your blood pressure.
And Veronica’s Trail at the Loblolly Wetlands Preserve on county road 250 West is great for bird-watching.
All three of those are paved, making them accessible for everyone.
If you’re ready to venture off the pavement, the rewards are great.
The Loblolly has several trails to choose from, both around the wetlands and into the woods.
The Bibler Preserve in Pike Township includes some of the prettiest acreage around, and the Bell-Croft Preserve on road 300 South in Greene Township is an overlooked gem.
Along the Jay-Adams line, not too far east from U.S. 27, you’ll find the Bird Sanctuary and the Music of the Wild preserves that hearken back to Gene Stratton-Porter’s day.  And the Tree of Trails at Hudson Family Park is educational as well as enjoyable. It’s all there. It’s waiting for you.
Let’s go for a walk. The cares of the world will still be waiting for you when you get back, so you might as well enjoy a brief escape. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]