Meet the Alegado Family – Ten Trails’ 500^th Family 

Meet the Alegado family, new residents in Ten Trails and our 500^th family to move into the community! Gideon and Katrina Alegado and their two teenage children move to Ten Trails in June from nearby Maple Valley and are loving their new Oakridge Homes home and the lifestyle offered in the community.

Home Shopping Remotely During the Pandemic 

Like many families, it became obvious to the Alegados during pandemic stay-at-home orders that they needed more room for their family. With their kids now teenagers and Gideon and Katrina working from home, they quickly realized their 1,660 square-foot home in Maple Valley, while cozy, just was not well-suited for the family any longer. The Alegados started their search for a new home online during the pandemic and they first toured their current home virtually while vacationing at a friend’s home in Hawaii.

“We were looking at photos of the house literally from the beach and then we made an offer the next day, sight unseen,” said Katrina. “A few days later we were signing paperwork on our friend’s patio overlooking the ocean.”

 

More Space to Spread Out in a Growing Community

As they get settled in a big and beautiful 2,800-square-foot home, the Alegados joke that they sometimes cannot find one another.

  “I’m sure it will fill up, but right now it feels massive,” said Gideon.

  The family is eager to explore all the amenities Ten Trails offers, like the many parks and green spaces, sports courts, and community pea patches.

  “We’ve been out on the trails many times,” said Katrina who enjoys walking the family’s dog, Echo, on the miles of nature trails.

    The Alegados are also looking forward to meeting more of their neighbors at upcoming community events, like the Sunset Markets.    

“We are so excited and honored to be recognized in this way and looking forward to settling in,” said Gideon.  

Welcome to the neighborhood, Alegados! We are so happy you chose Ten Trails as your new hometown. www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043

Ways to Beat the Winter Doldrums

As we settle into the post-holiday season, many of us experience a seasonal mood shift. With this winter being especially unique due to Covid-19, it can be more difficult to find ways to break out of a dull winter mood. Here are a few tips for keeping the winter blues at bay until we welcome spring in a few months:

Find Time to Take a Walk in Nature

Many studies of longer (60-90 minute) and shorter walks (15 minutes) in a natural setting have shown that participants benefit after from a lower heart rate, lower fight-or-flight response, and feelings of being more relaxed. Walks in nature have also been shown to boost memory and decrease feelings of anxiety. Walks in urban settings are not shown to provide the same benefits. Ten Trails is located close to area hiking trails and many state and regional parks, giving you ample opportunities to get outside in nature. You do not need to even leave the community to benefit from a walk in nature, however! Our community nature trails are the perfect place for a daily stroll.

Listen to Music that Lifts Your Mood 

Scientific studies show that music has a positive effect on emotional well-being, including improving mood, decreasing anxiety, and helping stress management. Our brains associate specific pieces of music with certain happy memories and music has also been shown to have an effect on the release of dopamine in our brains. Next time you are feeling the winter blahs, put on a song that you remember listening to during a happy time like your wedding, graduation, or a favorite concert and see if it shifts your outlook.

Schedule Daily Exercise

The health benefits of exercise extend beyond the physical! Numerous studies have shown that exercise has a positive impact on mood. Proposed theories are due to exercise’s impact on blood circulation and the resulting influence on the brain and HPA axis. Exercise also triggers the release of endorphins in the body which produces a feeling of well-being. This feeling is often commonly referred to as a  “runner’s high.” Ten Trails has many paved paths and nature trails that are ideal for use for daily exercise like jogging, walking, or biking. www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043