My Outdoors Story: Brooke Mellen
Note: We are so thrilled to introduce you all to Brooke, she was my teacher of Forest Bathing and Nature Mindfullness and a really great person!
Brooke Mellen of Cultured Forest
NY, NY on Ancestral Lenape Land
@culturedforest
www.culturedforest.com
What is your first memory of nature?
Some of my first memories of nature involve fishing with my Dad in Kansas. Sometimes I was a little reluctant to go, but he taught we how to fish and slow down and that being with loved ones outdoors matters. One time I accidentally fell into the water and he reached right in and pulled me out. It was a humbling experience and I was very embarassed. But I survived. Now I love to swim in open water and have even gone swimming in the East River and Hudson River in New York City.
What types of activities do you like to do outside?
I love to bike, swim, hike, photograph, explore, animal watch, picnic and forestbathe in the outdoors. I enjoy taking groups for Forest Therapy walks around NYC or doing one-to-one coaching sessions outdoors.
What is your favorite place to go outside?
I love to get away from the hustle of NYC and visit Harriman State Park, which is just about an hour outside of the city by Train. It is a respite for me through all of the seasons. In winter it is still full of color with mossy rocks and trees covered in winter berries. There is a trail I go to without many people around where I practice a bit of Forestbathing and Nature Mindfulness just looking at the details and taking my time without any distraction. I often sit by the stream while eating my lunch and love ending my hike at a glacially formed lake.
Photos Courtesy of Brooke
