I feel strongly that your home is what you make of it and that there is always adventure out there. No matter where you live it’s always worth exploring your own backyard.
Living in New Zealand now, I feel very lucky that I live in a country where the landscape is so diverse that if I want to see the ocean and mountains in one day, I can. It just boggles my mind and is so exciting! Many that live here though, admit that they think it’s cool but don’t appreciate it like an ‘outsider’ would. Funny thing is looking back on where I came from in Manitoba, Canada, I didn’t really appreciate my home either. I didn’t think much of our beautiful lakes with warm water and sandy beaches or the amazing gems hidden in the province. I’ll let you read about them here , here annddd here!
I feel like I know better now though and to appreciate this world no matter where I go and to always explore your own backyard.
My backyard here in Methven is basically a ski field in the winter time. Which it seems a large majority of people in New Zealand once winter comes are hitting the slopes. In fact, people from all over the world come to this little town for some time on the snow.
I’ve been asked plenty of times if I ski to which my answer is only on water and if I had a dime for all the stunned ‘but you’re a Canadian, you’re supposed to know how’ look, well I’d just be rich. It’s also ironic that I do live in a ski town and the ski field is 10 minutes from my house. I’m shooting for next year to hit the slopes.
But also, as a Canadian, it’s the game of hockey we should all know, not skiing.
Instead in the winter here in New Zealand, which it is my first Kiwi winter this year and nothing like -40 Celsius like back in Canada, I lace up my hiking boots and get to walking.
Which is what I did one fresh morning. I packed my snacks, grabbed some LIVE+ to keep me energized and set out. The track wasn’t easy. Steep in most places and although I was hoping to see snow, it made it a little more difficult than normal.
I made it up the slick patches of ice and carefully followed the narrow track from the climber before. The track in one place was right on the edge of a scree, covered in snow and made my heart beat just a bit faster. From what seemed like forever getting past that part, I rummaged through alpine tussock and was greeted with a wonderful view of the Canterbury plains in one direction and snowy Mt Hutt in the other. It was beautiful and a sight I’ll never get tired of.
I feel so lucky that this is my backyard even when others just see it as the norm. I wish they wouldn’t. We tend to think the grass is always greener on the other side or what’s out of our ‘normal’ is so much better. My response, it’s not. It’s just different and each place whether it’s a small town in New Zealand with a mountain backdrop or a small town in Canada with lakes surrounding by dense forest, each place is special and has its own magic to be appreciated.
Adventure is always out there and I urge you no matter where you are to always explore your own backyard.
Thank you Live+ for fueling my adventure! “The world is yours to explore”