Sometimes the break from the buildings, and the phones, and the computers is all that I need to give me energy to push throughout the day. I'm not much of a nature person but I can see how people can go camping for a week because there of the tranquility nature offers. One of the most surprising aspects of this area is the fact that while it does sit in the middle of one of the busiest parts of town, I can forget that fact once I sit at one of the benches. Because the area sits a few feet below street level, it is like the noises rise above it. Once I am by the stream, the traffic seems so far away. I can hardly hear the horns honking, the brakes squealing, or any other of the sounds of the city. On the trail around the stream,...

On one of the benches in the trees, I really do feel like I am in the forest somewhere. The trees are tall and reach over the trail, eclipsing the sky. The feeling is like walking though a green mist. In the winter, the brown and gray colors are soothing in comparison to the city's hard black roads and buildings.
The stream between the buildings in the complex where I work are like my special getaway. There, I can escape from the pressures of the day and become immersed in the tranquility of nature without having to venture very far. The sights and sounds are refreshing, especially when work is stressful. It reminds me of how true it is that nature is calming and good for the soul.