Stepping Outside

If you know Lex, you know that adventures and nature feed my soul.

My zodiac sign is a Sagittarius and its absolutely insane how spot on my characteristics are with those of a true Sag. Maybe you don’t believe in all that but you’ll find it no surprise that most Sagittarians have wanderlust.

Wanderlust: a strong desire to travel.

Lex: The wanderlust queen. (I don’t have a mountain and arrow tattoo on my arm for no reason!!)

I am constantly trying to find the new best place to hike, a new hidden gem to share with the world, a new view. And I think because of the current situation on being limited of where I can go, my wanderlust has been heightened. I want nothing more than to travel and explore the world.

In 2013, I went to Letchworth for the first time and I was in complete awe. (They don’t call it “The Grand Canyon of the East” for nothin’). I like to pinpoint that as the beginning of my need, my thirst, my itch for adventures.

From Summer 2013-Summer 2014 I explored about 8 different parks/hiking trails that I’ve never been to. After that summer my new discoveries slowed down because getting older means less free time but I still try to aim for one or two new discoveries a year with a bunch of repeat spots sprinkled in between.

Recently, it has become ‘trendy’ to adventure and take pictures in front of waterfalls to post on Instagram. But I know some people have also just found their love for it too. I just like to take pride in the fact that I have been doing this for as long as I’ve had my license. And before I had my license I was going camping with family, still adventuring around. It’s just something I have truly always enjoyed.

I do enjoy the fact that more people have found a new love for the same thing that I have always loved. I enjoy seeing people smiling in front of the same scenery that gave me that same big smile. Knowing the feeling they felt when they first pulled up. It makes me happy to know that people can still enjoy the little things like a gorgeous sunset or the sound of the trees rustling in the wind on warm summer day.

SO… maybe this will inspire some of you to step outside and take a drive and enjoy the simplest of pleasures. Nature. I’m gonna give y’all a little Lex list with some of my favorite spots.

1. Chesnut Ridge. One of my favorite spots in Buffalo. A piece of my heart is here. Year-round you can go and admire the horizon of our amazing city or watch the sunset. Or you can go for a little walk and stumble upon a little lake that’s so hidden a lot of people don’t know about it. One of these summers I am determined to watch fireworks on the 4th of July from up there. One of my fondest memories is laying there and staring at the sky the night before my graduation day with a friend that I will always treasure. Take a little drive and go there- alone or with someone you love. You wont regret it.
2. Letchworth. Where my love for adventures started. 3 different waterfalls, so many jaw-dropping overlooks. Also absolutely gorgeous any time of the year.
3. Watkins Glen. The three hour drive is worth every second. The second you walk up you’re in awe. Walking behind the waterfall has to be one of the coolest/scariest things I’ve done. They also have a trail called “Lovers Lane” so you can be corny and kiss your loverrrr next to it and take a cute lil’ pic. On the way back you could stop at the Watkins Glen racetrack and watch them whip it at like 1 million mph.
4. Presque Isle in Erie, PA. Another adventure that’s worth the drive. When driving into the park in the summer, the trees overhang in a way where you almost feel like you’re in Florida. There’s endless beaches. You almost forget that you’re dipping your feet into Lake Erie. And then you obviously get to stop for Krispy Kreme on the way back!!
5. Reinstein Woods. Right in our own backyard. An escape right in the middle of your everyday life. Sitting beside the little lake during the summer or the fall is one of the greatest therapies to clearing a messy mind.
6. Taughannock Falls. A simple hike to a not so simple view. Two viewing spots with different points of view that are amazing in different ways. Also worth the 2 hour drive.
7. Alexandria Bay- Thousand Islands Campgrounds- A place I haven’t been to in years but made such an imprint that I cannot wait to get back there.

I could probably go on long enough for you to be occupied until the end of this quarantine so I’ll stop there. I hope this occupied your bored minds for a bit and inspired you to step outside when you can. If you run out of places, need a buddy, or need recommendations: Lex is here!

Maybe I’m crazy but not much can compare to sitting around a campfire, laying in the grass watching the clouds roll by, listening the ocean waves crash on the beach, smelling the air right before a thunderstorm, climbing a mountain for the first time, or just walking in trees.

I leave you with a bit of Lex inspiration. Stay happy, stay healthy.

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.”

Lex