It is not always necessary to drive for hours to get a little out of doors.
On an idle Saturday I decided to bike out to Parc Jean-Drapeau on Ile-Ste-Helene - beautiful park close to downtown Montreal, and thus a bit like my own 'back yard'.

The bike ride was beautiful, as it was close to water that glittered in the morning sun. The trail ran along the Lachine Canal and Peel Basin, skirted the cubic housing vision of Habitat '67, and crossed the St. Laurent to deliver me to the woods of Parc Jean-Drapeau. By now the day had grown hot and the shade as well as a cold drink from the park's vending machine were most welcome. I left my bike and walked to the shore of the St-Laurent to take in downtown Montreal from this new perspective. The place was inviting, and I lingered for a while, reading and enjoying my surroundings in turn.
In terms of a back yard, this is pretty much as good as it can be!