Last updated on June 6th, 2023 at 12:06 pm

Last Updated on June 6, 2023 Posted by Colonial Acres Coins

If you are lucky enough to live in a climate with four seasons, you understand how it feels when the season of spring comes. There are more than enough activities to enjoy during the cold winters but nothing feels better than consistent warm days with plenty of sunshine. Camping is a well loved experience many families participate in and is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. Other activities that people enjoy throughout the year involving the outdoors are hiking, birdwatching, swimming and playing sports.

From 2013 to 2017, the Royal Canadian Mint produced and sold four coins to collect that each celebrated some aspect of outdoor activities in Canada, including hiking, birdwatching, and camping. They each featured a colour picture related to these activities in one way or another. Looking at these coins and imagining yourself partaking in these pastimes may help you connect more with nature.

Now that the weather is warming up, you can start to get back to some of these activities. If you haven’t tried them before, here are some reasons to consider them.

Hiking

Walking is one of the best and most complete forms of exercise there is. However, circling around your neighbourhood over and over could get boring. Hiking allows you to get at least the same exercise while exploring a new environment. If you choose to hike over rugged or hilly terrain, you could get even more of a workout because of the changes in elevation.

Hiking can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. There are hiking trails in parks and nature areas throughout Canada with varying degrees of difficulty, so you can choose one that suits your physical ability and experience level. If you are new to hiking, it is a good idea to start on the easiest trails and then gradually increase the difficulty level until you find a match. Many hiking trails are alongside trees and rivers, meaning that you may come upon river rapids such as those depicted on a $20 silver coin from the RCM in 2014.

Regardless of the difficulty level you choose, hiking allows you to enjoy peace and quiet, especially important if you live in the city. Being surrounded by tall trees can make you feel safe and protected, and the golden light filtering through the leaves is quite picturesque. You may see plants and animals that you would never find in the city.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching can be combined with hiking, but some people prefer to go where the birds are most likely to be and sit for a while and hope that they will come out on their own. Both methods of birdwatching are valid. Canada is home to over 400 bird species. They come in all different sizes, from small sparrows and finches to larger birds such as eagles. In between, you will find medium-sized birds such as the wood duck featured on a 2013 Royal Canadian Mint $10 coin. Many Canadian bird species have vibrantly coloured plumage and some sing sweet songs. It is a treat to be able to observe them in their natural habitat and see how they live. Be sure to bring your binoculars, though, because few bird species will let you get very close.

Camping

Camping is an overnight outdoor trip that may include other activities, such as hiking and birdwatching. There are many different ways to camp: in a recreational vehicle, in a cabin, or in a tent as the people are doing on the back of the 2017 RCM $15 dollar silver coin. When the sun goes down, many different animals come out, such as the fireflies depicted on the 2015 RCM $30 silver coin that glows in the dark. Sitting around a campfire brings people closer together, and sleeping under the stars can be a profoundly meaningful experience, one that you may remember for the rest of your life.

Start or Continue Coin Collecting With Colonial Acres

Part of the joy of coin collecting is that you can find pieces that are meaningful to you. Find these and other coins for sale at Colonial Acres.