Upon moving to southern California from Wyoming six years ago, I was fearful that we could never be alone—that we would never find the Little Wild Places that Ernest Atencio wrote about. Not so. Little Wild Places and that sense of hope and wonderment are there; all we must do is give them a chance to come out from hiding.

Even near an urban center of millions of people, my family and I have found Little Wild Places that are quiet and—at least at the time we are there—are all our own.

Big Adventure is all around us. This is a perfect time to put special emphasis back on finding your own Little Wild Place.

Backyard Adventures: Little Wild Places by Greg Russell

Where are you finding those little wild places?

Maybe simply in your own backyard or on a walk through your neighborhood or at sunset when the birds are all heading home or in your garden as you see the bees spur around collecting nectar.

Maybe there’s an empty part of town you love to be at or a favorite park. Somewhere you can see the wild.

To me, it’s less about the fresh air and more about the wildness. With the wild space will come fresh air. I’m going to keep searching for wild places and wild moments to keep afresh and remember I’m alive.