Not all adventures have to involve scaling crazy-steep mountains or paddling down intense white-water rapids. Some of the best adventures are the relaxing and mellow ones right in our backyards. When I cannot get into the woods every day, I go to the Colonie Town Park, just 10 minutes from my house, to experience nature close to home.

The Colonie Town Park is a beautiful, well-kept park just 20 minutes from Albany, New York. It offers plenty of paved paths to the Mohawk River (which is the best viewing spot for the sunset). Also, being part of the 40-mile Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway, it offers paved bike/running paths from Albany to Rotterdam. An easy five minute walk from the parking area will bring you to the shore of the Mohawk River. Here there are picnic tables and BBQ areas so you can have a picnic with friends and family while playing frisbee and watching the sunset.

This is also a great place to put in your boat, whether it be a motorized one of a kayak or canoe. And don't forget your fishing pole too!

The Town Park is a great spot to hone in on your photography skills while watching the sunset. Or, you can snap away when you see a Great Blue Heron, some snapping turtles or other wildlife. Additionally, if you do not want to simply sit and watch the sunset, there are a few miles of well-marked paths in the woods along the shore of the Mohawk where you can walk and take in the sights.