There comes a time in every person’s life when we come to the realization that we are not teenagers anymore and that the years undeniably take a toll on us… it is then that those long sleepless nights of partying and drinking begin to catch up with us.  Suddenly waking up in the morning for a walk or hitting the gym seem as impossible as a sober Amy Winehouse.  So what’s left to do in this concrete jungle if theme parks and hiking are out of the question? We can either mourn our lost youthful energy or we can find different alternatives that will keep us entertained, busy, and at the same time help us relax and re-charge our batteries.

In the giant metropolis, concrete jungle that is Los Angeles and its surroundings, finding decent green areas is rather difficult.  Yes, there are several parks, but let’s be honest here- they’re so run-down, tiny and with no more than ten trees.  Thanks in part to this, and to the fact that we much rather watch Reality Television, going out for a jog/walk at a park or taking a hike are almost as obsolete as a walkman. If you’re into jogging, hiking or just getting a breath of fresh air every once in a while, you know that it takes a whole lot of research to find decent spots… which more often than not, happen to be a long drive away.

With the U.S. economy seemingly going to the dumps, with harsh times coming our way and a clear recession just around the corner, sometimes it’s hard to keep our spirits up- especially for struggling students, starving artists, aspiring musicians, and everyone else in between.  The once attainable “American Dream” seems far to reach now more than ever.  And while it’s still possible to achieve some sort of success and accomplish the “American Dream” to a certain extent, people are putting their dreams aside and waking up to a harsh reality. Forget about the “American Dream” how about just a little vacation instead?