Great Outdoors
It’s camping time!
Each year, when school got out for the summer, my dad would haul the dusty old backpacking tent in from the barn and toss it on the living-room carpet. He’d announce that we were going […]
outdoors
Great Outdoors
I learned about the outdoors from the best
I can’t even remember the first time my dad dragged me into the wilderness on a campout. For as long as I can remember, I’ve spent a good deal of my free time in the […]
Great Outdoors
I am sooooo not in shape
I’m not trying to be the next Mr. Olympia or develop six-pack abs. I don’t even care about placing in my age group in 5K runs. All I worry about is being in shape for […]
Great Outdoors
Paintball is fun – when others follow the rules
My son wanted to go to a paintball course for his birthday, and I was immediately on board with that. When I got married, I had a paintball game with about 20 friends for my […]
Great Outdoors
The mornings this time of year are picture perfect
I love to fish, but I’ll admit I’m not very good at it. In fact, I’m absolutely horrible. It doesn’t matter what I use for a lure – fish just don’t want whatever it is […]
Great Outdoors
Just get lost — but in a good way
Most people try to avoid getting lost in the woods. I’ve long thought my dad’s goal was just the opposite. Every time we headed out into the wild, Dad would get us lost. Never horribly […]
Great Outdoors
Remembering those who served today
This day has become the unofficial beginning of the summer, even though it won’t truly be summer for another month. But the weather is getting nice enough to get away to the hills, and the […]
Great Outdoors
Don’t waste this three-day weekend
If you get Monday off for Memorial Day, take some time to pay tribute to people you’ve loved and lost. It’s a day for remembering those who fought for our country, as well as those […]
Great Outdoors
I’ll just stick to giving rattlesnakes room, thanks
I’m no fan of rattlesnakes. OK, so maybe snakes in general aren’t my cup of tea. I wasn’t always afraid of snakes. I used to like to catch garter snakes and bull snakes and let […]
Great Outdoors
My dad is a big part of the reason I’m the way I am
The best memories I have from my childhood all involve the outdoors. And most of those also include my dad, because he was usually the one who took me out into the wilds. Sure, as […]