Jim Clifford
A community we’ve been looking for…
Oakland Springs is set up in a way that fosters that sense of community we’ve been looking for. We probably know more of our neighbors here than we have in any other community we’ve lived in.
A community we’ve been looking for…
Oakland Springs is set up in a way that fosters that sense of community we’ve been looking for. We probably know more of our neighbors here than we have in any other community we’ve lived in.
Oakland Springs brings back that sense of community…
I feel like we’re getting back to our roots. With the exception of a horse and carriage. Oakland Springs brings back that sense of community.
We fell in love with the community…
We just fell in love with the community and the people here. Honestly, it IS like a little village – everyone knowns one another here.
We have already made so many memories…
We have enjoyed getting to know neighbors as they walk by and have already made so many memories.
We love being here…
We love being in our own yard, with new neighbors and friends living right here around us. We also love getting on our bikes as a family and exploring the neighborhood, or putting our youngest in a stroller and walking to have dinner.
Everyone is friendly and welcoming…
We call everyone here a neighbor- from the people who live right next door to those who live a street away. Everyone is friendly and welcoming.
There’s something really special…
There’s something really special about Village at Oakland Springs because when you drive into the neighborhood, it’s almost a time warp, and everything slows down. You see kids playing outside, people biking or walking… it just takes you to another place when you’re there.
The builders hit a home run…
What an incredible up-and-coming neighborhood. A truly wonderful area, the builders hit a home run here.
Equipping your home with the latest technology isn’t just about embracing the ‘smart home’ trend. Smart homeowners know it’s about simplicity, enjoyment, and effortlessness.
Outdoor living has created new needs for the tech conveniences we’ve come to expect. Home tech guru, Chris Groves of FoxView Technology in Huntsville, Alabama, puts it this way. “Home theaters are huge right now, and cameras inside and outside a home are certainly great things to have.”
When you’re building a new house, the most important thing you can do is make sure your whole home is prepped for success. Chris says it’s important to have network access and the right groundwork early on. “When they’re first building, homeowners might not imagine they’d want wifi in upstairs storage space. But if they ever choose to re-purpose that area for a home theater or office, it’s important that the capabilities are already in place.”
For outdoor living, music is magic. Being able to enjoy your favorite music while you’re dining on the patio or watering your herb garden is a ‘basic luxury’ at this point. Well-engineered wifi ensures you can stream your favorite movie under the stars, too, should the mood ever strike you.
Sometimes, the most simple delights are the most difficult to explain. Such can be the case with one of the oldest ‘new trends’: forest bathing. We’ve all felt the energy and peace that being in nature can provide. In fact, human beings have known this for many centuries. Sunlight, fresh air and the smells of the forest can not only improve our mood, it can redefine how we think about the world and ourselves in it.
If you’ve never dipped into forest bathing before, here are a few simple principles to set you on your way:
1. Just be. This isn’t meant to be exercise, and you don’t need a set destination. Simply connect to nature with all your senses.
2. No devices. Resist the urge to take photos of the world you encounter. There are times for that but forest bathing is an in-the-moment experience for your senses.
3. Destination unknown. Unlike hiking a trail or climbing a summit, forest bathing needs no physical destination. It’s ok if you go nowhere at all.
4. Breathe it in. The fragrance of the forest is healing. Take deep breaths and experience the purity of the air. Let your toes explore a cool stream. Lie on the forest floor. Feel the tree trunks with your hands.
5. Anywhere, anytime. Once you’ve learned how to deeply experience nature, you don’t need a vast forest or nature preserve. You’ll find you can connect with nature in a pocket park or your own garden.
Here are some local places to try it out!
RAINBOW MOUNTAIN NATURE PRESERVE | 230 Stoneway Trail, Madison, AL
Dappled sunlight and many rock outcroppings sit within 130 acres.
MONTE SANO STATE PARK | 5105 Nolen Ave., Huntsville, AL
Translating to ‘mountain of health,’ Monte Sano’s lush, forested acres await you.
MADISON COUNTY NATURE TRAIL ON GREEN MOUNTAIN | 5000 Nature Trail Rd SE, Huntsville, AL
Circling beautiful Sky Lake, this 72-acre park is a serene spot for forest bathing.
HARVEST SQUARE RECREATIONAL PRESERVE | 111 Allyson Sadie Blvd, Harvest, AL
Ponds and shady, meandering trails are open from dawn to dusk.