The Great Escape: Nurture with Nature

You know you have seen them, in the grocery checkout line, barking orders at their kids: burned-out moms. They are everywhere, exasperated and struggling to cope with even minor aggravations. Don’t turn in to a burnout. Take time to recharge, because it is a necessity, not a luxury. 

A lot of women think of “escapes” and assume that means a night away at an expensive spa, which is most likely financially out of the question.

An afternoon escape doesn’t have to be extravagant to be restful.

If you enjoy nature, the Solano Land Trust is presenting a guided nature walk at Lynch Canyon this Saturday in Vallejo. Lynch Canyon is home to all kinds of animals, from deer, bobcats and coyotes to many birds of prey — even the golden eagle. It has expansive views of the Coast Range mountains and the San Francisco Bay all the way to the Sierra Nevada.

On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., naturalist Deborah Bartens will lead a three-hour hike through the canyon. Admission to this preserve is free, but there is a $5 parking fee. No reservations are needed. Get directions here.

So get out of your sweatpants and take a day off from being the kid chauffeur. Target, the library and the grocery store will be right there Monday morning. Put on your sturdy hiking shoes, get out in nature and experience some “down” time.