I am not really the "outdoorsy" type, preferring climate control whenever possible. However I have discovered one activity that gets me back in touch with nature, while not being too strenuous: canoeing.

A leisurely boat ride down the Hillsborough River does wonders for one's disposition while reminding us that we don't have to go far out of the city to appreciate Florida's natural beauty.

Even in the dead of summer the canopy of trees and cooling waters (along with a cooler full of beverages) provides a relaxing afternoon of sightseeing. You can get (relatively) up-close and personal with alligators, turtles, fish and a multitude of birds indigenous to Florida's landscape. As I am distracted with taking snapshots of the wildlife my husband thinks it's funny to steer our canoe towards the nearest gator sunning itself on a fallen tree, turning away at the last minute. While I find this less than amusing, if you are a nature buff canoeing is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in all the beauty the Hillsborough River has to offer.

This article appears in Sep 2-8, 2010.