The Nature Conservancy’s Independence Creek Preserve

— On my first visit to this preserve in 2013, I just could not get over the beauty and tranquility of this place. Also, biking around the preserve was a sight to behold. Upon arriving at ICP, we set up our tents right by this lake. Since there are no assigned sites, we drove around looking for a good spot with a view and at the same protected from possible strong winds. We selected an area across from this deck in the photo. We spent our weekend there riding our bikes and hiking — sometimes even bushwhacking where there was no trail. At the end of the day, after supper, we went over to this deck and watched a gorgeous sunset.