Whether they're actually “local,” or just wear it, people spend summers in the Adirondacks for a reason. The region is such a treasure, and I’m really blessed to have grown up in a place that comes as a preset screensaver on Apple products.

I certainly took it for granted before I left for college. I was so ready to get out of my town and immediately start a life in a new, big city. And trust me, I don’t regret my decision. But when I came home for the summer after my first year of college, I realized how much I missed my mountains, my lakes and my walks in the woods. They’d become a part of me, and I can’t deny how much I love the fact that I grew up in the Adirondacks.

So here are some of my favorite things about living in the ADK’s. If you can’t relate, I highly suggest you make a road trip to the mountains and experience it for yourself.

1. The views.

It doesn’t matter if you’re passing through on the north way, out on the water trying to identify which mountains are which, or at a summit after a long hike, you’re treated to views that you’d think could ONLY exist as screen savers or post cards.

2. You can have adventure or vacation anytime.

I’m a firm believer that there’s a big difference between taking a trip and taking a vacation. When I take a vacation, I want to sit my butt down and do absolutely nothing. Taking a trip, to me however, means activity and adventure. It’s the difference between experience and rejuvenation. But when Lake George is in your back yard, you can go from drinking a Corona and sunbathing on the roof of a boat to literally jumping off of 50 foot cliffs in a matter of 15 minutes.

3. Living where the wild things are.

I never thought much of it when we had a school lock down because there was a family of black bears on school campus. But when I went away to school and realized that that wasn’t exactly normal. Sure, we don’t have a solid public transportation system nearby, but we do have the occasional moose that wanders into our back yard.

4. Being comfortable in nature, even if you’re not “outdoorsy.”

I’ve never considered myself to be outdoorsy. I’ve never been a skier, or hardcore-live-off-the-land-type, but I’ve never been afraid of animals or forces of nature. In fact, nature relaxes me, because I grew up with it being a part of me. When I need a break from stressful college and city life, I head home to spend some time in the mountains, on the water, strolling through the woods... nothing beats that.

5. Knowing how to drive a boat before being able to drive a car.

Okay, so maybe I didn’t have my boating license when I was nine, but driving our 20-foot bow rider was a piece of cake.

6. Always being able to appreciate your home.

I was one of those people that always wanted to grow up, get out of town and never look back. Despite that feeling, I will always carry a love and appreciation for my home, knowing I grew up in one of the most beautiful places in the world, no matter where my life takes me.