Living in Denver, I often wonder why life feels so busy.

Every weekday I go to work, do grocery shopping, pick up the kids, and on weekends, there's housework... Then one day, a friend invited me to go kayaking, and I ended up finding a new hobby. I can swim a bit, but being on the water and swaying around felt a little scary. I was straining my thighs to keep my balance, and since I didn't know how to paddle properly, I just kept spinning around.

But once I got used to the water, suddenly a whole new world opened up. The sunlight sparkled on the waves, the cool breeze brushed pleasantly against my face, and all I could hear were the sounds of birds around me. I thought, "Ah, this is why people get hooked on kayaking." It's a workout and feels refreshing for the mind. It's like the thoughts accumulated in the city flow away on the water. While it's easy to just remember the mountains when living in Denver, there are actually quite a few great waterways for kayaking nearby. If you have a car and the will, there are fantastic kayaking spots within 1-2 hours from downtown.

Let me introduce some places I personally visit often. The first recommendation is Chatfield Reservoir. It's located south of Denver, making it easily accessible, and there's plenty of parking, which is perfect for beginners. If you go early in the morning, the water is really calm, making it the best time to start kayaking. While paddling, you can see carp splashing in the water, and the Rocky Mountains stand in the background like a painting.

It feels like the fatigue in my heart is being released. You can take your family for a picnic on the weekend, and since kayak rentals are available, it's no problem for those without equipment. Next is Cherry Creek Reservoir. This one is closer to Denver, making it great for quick "lightning kayaking" sessions. It's nice for a short trip after work, and the scene of the lake reflecting the yellow evening sunlight is truly unbelievable. Paddling gives your arms a good workout, but strangely, it's not exhausting; it's a stress-relieving exercise.

If you want a bit more adventure, I recommend Horsetooth Reservoir.

It's a lake located about 70 miles north of Denver, near Fort Collins. On windy days, there are some waves, adding a thrill, and the water is bluer, making for great photos. There are campgrounds, so many people enjoy kayaking while camping overnight. Although it's a lake instead of the ocean, the moments when you're floating on the water and can only see mountains and sky feel incredibly precious. It's a bit far, but the Arkansas River area is also known as a kayaking paradise. You have to drive about 100-150 miles from Denver, but there are sections with rapids that offer a different kind of fun.

The charm of kayaking lies in getting both exercise and nature. While paddling, my shoulders and arms become surprisingly toned, and balancing works my core, plus I get a dose of vitamin D from the sunlight. But it doesn't feel like exercise. It's just something fun to do, yet at some point, I find myself sweating and out of breath. And I really enjoy that feeling of being alone on the water.

There's nothing but the sound of the wind, birds, and flowing water. I forget about phone notifications and the complicated thoughts in my head for a while. Living in the city often feels tight and like I'm being pulled by the clock, but when I'm kayaking, I feel like I'm in control of my time. Even as a mom raising kids, if I can carve out even a little time for this, my daily life feels much lighter afterward.

Sometimes I take my kayak out and just float on the water, and when the gentle breeze comes, I can't help but say, "Ah, this is nice." I didn't know before that the areas around Denver were such great places for kayaking. I thought only hiking was famous, but it turns out this city has such attractive water as well. If you want to create a small hobby in life, I really recommend kayaking.

Start lightly, from a nearby lake. Before you know it, you might find yourself wanting to explore rivers 150 miles away. The feeling of living as if you're flowing on the water brings me a lot of peace these days. I'm realizing how grateful I am to enjoy both nature and exercise while living in Denver.