




17
Backpacker magazine recently joined forces with The Outdoor Foundation to identify the best cities in the United States to raise a child with an outdoor attitude. Not surprisingly, many of the cities are the same ones listed on “America’s Healthiest Cities.” Sunshine, moderate temperatures, beautiful scenery…yeah, yeah, yeah – we know, the weather in Ohio stinks. Who made the list?
1. Boulder, CO
2. Jackson, WY
3. Durango, CO
4. Flagstaff, AZ
5. Juneau, AK
6. Seattle, WA
7. Colorado Springs, CO
8. Burlington, VT
9. Fort Collins, CO
10. Lebanon, NH
11. Asheville, NC
12. Portland, ME
13. Hood River, OR
14. Manchester, NH
15. Harrisonburg, VA
16. Eureka-Arcata-Fortuna, CA
17. Sevierville, TN
18. Bozeman, MT
19. Rapid City, SD
20. Brevard, NC
21. Madison, WI
22. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
23. Glens Falls, NY
24. Duluth, MN
25. Wheeling, WV
There are plenty of ways to entice kids to go outdoors for physical activity, even if the climate you live in isn’t perfect year-round. Rock climbing, hiking, cycling, and geocaching, and kayaking are fun activities the whole family can participate in during spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, sledding, snow shoeing, ice skaing, cross-country and downhill skiing…even schlepping through the snow wearing snow boots gets their hearts pumping.
With the winter Olympics just around the corner, you might also put together a mini-Olympics in your neighborhood. 
To add to the fun, award medals to every child – and don’t spend a bundle, make your own using metallic paint, cardboard, and ribbon.
Most importantly, let the kids have fun!
21
Children are great dreamers. When I was about six or seven years old I imaged I would be a gymnast in the Olympics, then a few years later I imaged I’d be a figure skater (in the Olympics, of course). I have four children, and I’m amazed at the images they conjure up of what they will do, see, hear and be when they “grow up.” At some point along the way though, you forget that you are allowed to dream or, in fact, be anything you want to be. Whether self-imposed, or learned, limits can keep you contained within your safely tested boundaries. I have learned over the years, however, that the only difference between you and the image in your mind, is whether or not you believe you can do it. My motto: “while you have the moment, seize it!” Or in other words, there is no tomorrow, just a “series of todays.” If you have a dream, whether it to lose weight, run a marathon, or simply to live a healthier lifestyle, get out there and do it. Make it happen. Don’t waste another minute.
A recent article in the New York Times might provide the inspiration you need. Check it out: Keeping Priorities Straight, Even at the End