LAKELAND - There is something to be said about the tranquility and peacefulness that comes with going for a nice, leisurely walk in the forest, especially the in the lovely forests that comprise a good portion of the Lakeland region.
There are times when we simply need to get away from it all, from the stresses of modern life, to unwind and clear our heads. Thankfully, local wooded areas offer a fantastic opportunity to do just that.
Recently, during a trip through part of the Lakeland region, I stopped at Moose Lake Provincial Park near Bonnyville. It was impressive to see the lake, but also the forests filled with jack pine that seemed to go on forever.
With cool breezes coming off the lake, I went for a slow hike through a trail in this enchanted forest. Even though signs warned of bears in the area, I never saw any but still carried a canister of bear repellent for protection on the off chance that I had an encounter with one of these wild animals.
Since relocating to Lac La Biche from Prince Edward Island two years, ago, I have been given the opportunity to explore so many wilderness areas around Alberta, and even a bit in Fernie, British Columbia, last autumn. Each of these locations, whether they were the semidesert areas around Medicine Hat or Dinosaur Provincial Park, or the forested mountains in British Columbia, had their own unique charm, which made them special to visit.
The Japanese people have a tradition called Shrinrin-yoku, known around the globe as ‘forest bathing,’ which is done to promote health and create calmness. Spending an hour (or a few) wandering through the forests of the Lakeland region of Alberta is certainly a good way to relax and temporarily forget about all the cares of the world.
