By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Near or far, county residents like their time outdoors.

Whether the outdoors spots are within county boundary lines or a five-hour drive away, each has its own charm.

Shannon Ehlers, Marion, likes to be anywhere near water. There’s not really a particular favorite place. Anywhere with a body of water pleases her.

“I like swimming or being on a boat,” Ehlers said.

Tina Groening, Marion, said her favorite place is more specific.

“Our family goes camping, usually at the reservoir,” Groening said.

Marion Reservoir offers many trees along with nice areas to camp, she said. Groening said the family goes camping three or four times each summer.

Karen Selznick, Lincolnville, loves to go to Marion’s Central Park because she enjoys watching children playing.

Chelsea Darrow’s favorite outdoors place is much closer to home.

“I just love being outdoors,” Darrow said. “I love to ride my bike and walk.”

Her own backyard in Marion hits the spot perfectly.

“There’s always a lot going on in my yard,” she said.

Dirt biking and football games and basketball games between her kids and their neighborhood friends keep her yard a lively scene of outdoor fun.

Donna Rosiere said both she and her husband, Billy, like spending time in their yard as well.

“We have a big yard, so we have a lot of yard work,” Rosiere said. “We like to get out on our back patio and enjoy Mother Nature.”

The couple lives at the end of a Florence street, so they don’t have to contend with traffic. That helps them get the most enjoyment out of spending time in their yard.

“I like to be at the county lake,” Marion resident Jay Smith said.

He likes boating and skiing.

“I’ve had a boat all my life and we were always out at the lake when we were kids,” Smith said.

Neva Hett’s favorite outdoors place is further afield. The Marion woman likes to go out of state for a change of scenery.

“I like to go to Osage Beach, Missouri,” Hett said.

The couple, who drive five hours to reach the town nestled next to Lake of the Ozarks, enjoys golfing and taking in the scenery.

“We like to drive through the beautiful area,” Hett said.