Lush with trees and growing flowers and shrubbery, it's the place I feel most comfortable. The path winds around for about eight miles, with something new every day to appreciate.

At Rose Lake Wildlife Research Station in Clinton County, I can take out all my life frustrations running on the dirt trails. It provides a scenic outlet for those caught up with busy college life. A person can forget about the noisy cars that race down Grand River Avenue and books full of useless knowledge.

There is a diverse combination of lakes, wetlands and forest. The trails wrap around Rose Lake and the streams surround it with a variety of wide trails for bikers and horseback riders, narrower trails for runners and walkers, short steep hills for strength training and longer hills for endurance building.

Often there are walkers with their dogs off their leashes, appreciating the beautiful nature that surrounds them. And there are times when the whole area is deserted, leaving me to take advantage of every trail without stopping to pet a dog or have a brief conversation with the regulars.

It is not maintained very well — there are several downed trees blocking the trails, but there have been make-shift routes created around the trees. When it has been raining, the trail can become incredibly muddy, but it usually just adds to the experience.

For the Peacock Road entrance, take Grand River Avenue to Marsh Road. Turn left onto Marsh Road until you hit Saginaw Highway. Go east on Saginaw Highway and then turn right onto Old M-78. Take Old M-78 until you hit Peacock Road, where you will turn left. There will be a hunting range to your left (don't turn into the hunting range). The trail parking lot is about 50 feet after on the right.

Sleepy Hollow State Park in Clinton County, another area favorite, has 16 miles of trails for bikers, runners, horseback riders and walkers. The route changes from open fields to hardwoods with virtually no downed trees or brooks to cross. The trail is marked with posts and maps, guiding users through its trails.

You can get to Sleepy Hollow State Park by taking US-127 North to the Price Road exit. Turn right onto Price Road. The park entrance is a few miles down the road. Turn left into the park and about a quarter mile down there is an entrance station where you have to pay $6 for a daily pass and $24 for a yearly Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit.