Homes (Close and Far) Away From Home... My Favorite Places

I couldn't pick one single place that I have been that I would deem my "favorite," so I chose three places that I believe have really sculpted me as an individual over the years.

Westtown, New York: The Hometown. 

I grew up in a small town about an hour and a half northwest of New York City. The area is known as the Hudson Valley, where we have plenty of greenery and farmland to spare. In fact, there is a cornfield in one direction of my backyard, and a cow farm in the other direction. Some of my favorite parts of it are the mountains - which are uncommon here in Oklahoma - and the history that comes with the land. My father could tell you hundreds of stories about the people that came before us, that lived throughout the area. It's truly fascinating.

Photo Information: personal picture of my backyard in Westtown, New York,
photo from June 2017.

My dogs love to play in our spacious backyard. Here is a picture of my dog, Okie (named after Oklahoma, of course), looking out and contemplating where to run.

Photo Information: personal picture of my dog, Okie, and our backyard in Westtown, New York,
photo from July 2017.

Culver Lake, Branchville, New Jersey: The Getaway.

When I was two, my grandparents moved to a lake house about thirty minutes away from my home in Westtown. "The lake," as my family calls it, is a mile-wide lake in northern New Jersey. We love to go boating, tubing, fish, and all the other fun activities that come with spending a day on the water. Since my grandfather (who I call PopPop) is one of my favorite people, it would only make sense that the place where he lives also happens to be my favorite place to go when I need to get away.

Photo Information: personal picture of a rainbow over Culver Lake, Branchville, NJ,
taken July 2017.

Do you really tube if you don't fly at least seven feet over the water before landing? I don't think so.

Photo Information: personal picture of myself and a friend tubing on Culver Lake,
taken July 2016

Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma: The Passion Place.

I am an awesome example of the commonly known phrase to all OU students and alum: "Sooner born, Sooner bred." The University of Oklahoma was the only school that I applied to when searching for colleges after high school. I grew up watching Oklahoma football, and the stadium on game days would have to be one of my most favorite places. I am a member of the co-ed community service fraternity on campus, Alpha Phi Omega, and I am able to go on the field during pre-game activities and run the state flag of Oklahoma for all the audience to see. This place is one of my favorites because the atmosphere inside the Palace on the Prairie is something that is unable to be described in a few words.

View of Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium:
 Wikipedia Commons