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Residents at the Western Home Communities have been having a fun treat this summer with Wellness Coordinator Amanda Lynch. Trail walks have become a weekly happening for individuals, where they are able to leave campus and go out to various trails around the community. The Cedar Valley is flourishing with over 50 miles worth of trails. Lynch feels it is important to explore some of these places to gain a better understanding of the community, but also be able to feel the beauty of the outdoors. Lynch is quoted as saying; "the experience of outdoor walks has provided so many residents with a renewed sense of beauty in their community. I have residents who have not walked outdoors in months who come with me on these trips and once they return it is the only thing they speak about for days. It provides them with so much more than exercise."
Being able to experience these times with residents has not only been a spiritual experience, but also has increased residents mood. Most if not all residents come back with smiles on their faces and a new kick to their step. The numbers have increased week by week and Lynch continues to find new and exciting trails to go on that many residents have not been to yet.
It is also a very educational experience for Lynch who learns not only tid bits of life from residents, but also learns new flowers, trees, plants, and animals that are seen along the way. The picture below shows a piece of a longer trail which spans 15 miles long in Cedar Falls Iowa.