Health & Fitness
So Here We Are ... Transplants to the Land of Deer and Trails
A thirty-something couple with toddler in tow learn their way around their new hometown of Rochester Hills.
My family and I have been Rochester Hills transplants for just over a year now, moving from Royal Oak in May 2010. I always joked that Rochester Hills is where all the Royal Oakers go after they get married and have kids.
When my husband Jeremy and I were house-hunting (an epic adventure that’s a totally separate blog post), we didn’t consider Rochester Hills at first. I thought it was the boonies. Really. I’m not kidding.
So, we traipsed around Troy, Bloomfield Township and Beverly Hills in search of a bigger, family home to replace my husband’s Royal Oak bachelor pad bungalow. We came up with nothing.
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Finally, we decided we’d venture into Rochester Hills. And here we are!
Sometimes I feel as if we’re more like tourists than residents. We’ve explored the Paint Creek and Clinton River trails, had picnics at the Rochester Municipal Park downtown and decided our favorite outdoor restaurant is the Limelight. This decision was made when sitting on the Limelight patio, watching a deer wander up to the Paint Creek and take a sip. Where do you see that in Royal Oak?
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Speaking of deer, my husband and I rush to the window every time one strolls through our yard. I’m pretty sure we’re the only people around who actually stop, point and stare at them when we’re on walks. You’d think we just spotted an ostrich in someone’s backyard. Passersby probably think we’re insane, but we don’t care.
This month, I started taking my 1-year-old daughter, Alexandra, to the library to participate in the youth programs. I was pleasantly surprised to see the Rochester Hills Public Library is quite the hot spot for the mom/sippy cup drinker set. I’m running the Brooksie Way half marathon next week; it’s my first organized run ever. I haven’t a clue if I can run the whole thing, but I’m kind of pumped that the course winds along the trails (I’m really loving those trails).
We’re also going to carve out time to visit Yates Cider Mill, a place I’ve visited many times but Alexandra hasn’t.
There are still things on my to-visit list, however. I haven’t been to the Farmer’s Market yet, but my new Rochester friends rave about it. The Big, Bright Light Show sounds like a hit, as does the holiday parade.
What other activities would you suggest for a newbie Rochester Hills family?
