While my last two articles were about travels in Alaska (and there will be many more to come on that topic), you don't have to fly to the outermost corners of the continent to enjoy a great hike or the beauty of nature.  Going back to my college town of Cedar Rapids, even some of the residents might be surprised by some of the amazing trails and hiking scenes that are available weaving right through the middle of the city itself.  What most residents of Cedar Rapids don't know is that the American Discovery Trail runs right through their city - the only trail that uses road, trails, and paths to connect a hiking & biking trail from the West Coast to the East Coast.

One specific section of this trail I want to mention runs by a small town park at the intersection of Shaver Road and H Avenue.  Follow this trail away from the downtown, wind around a lake that is often full of ducks (and sometimes you'll see a bald eagle diving the lake for food) and go through small patches of woods that have a stunningly large number of white tail deer.  You might even get close enough to take a picture like this:

I'm only standing about seven or eight feet away from a good looking white tail doe - and I'm not using any zoom on the camera.  It really is that close.  The wild flowers are very nice, too, and that's a small number of them considering that part of the trail.

It's a beautiful in city trail, and Cedar Rapids residents are lucky to have a place like this right in their own backyard.  The rocky coast by the lake can make you think a little bit of Maine or the East Coast (especially on cool cloudy days), while some heavy woods are close by to where this picture was taken.  The wildlife adds a nice touch and can make any normal walk into a fantastic experience with nature. 

This just goes to show that whether you are visiting Alaska, or traveling through Cedar Rapids, there is always a place close by to help you get away.