The outdoors is such an important part of my life that if I can’t get outside 2 or 3 times a month and put some miles under my feet, I start to physically feel hungry… thirsty.
My first real backcountry experiences took place in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. My friend Jim and I explored, listened, watched, interacted with and experienced our natural environment for the first time.
Once you immerse yourself in the backcountry, shut up long enough to hear and open your eyes long enough to see, a wonderment sets in that never goes away. You may realize that the world is a little bigger than you thought and your problems need not be as large as you make them.
That wonderment is always here, within me. I will never fail to see the beauty of life in the shape, form, color and texture of things.
I’ve worked in outdoor retail because I like the idea of helping prepare people for outdoor adventure. I wish that everyone had the opportunity to experience the wilderness.
I became a hike leader for outdoor organizations and a Wilderness EMT so that I may lead people with confidence. Take them to places where they might awaken to the natural environment and experience their lives in a new, remarkable way.
We must strive to make a positive contribution while we’re here. You don’t have to save the planet or change the world, just do something that improves the quality of life for others in a small way.
I feel that by introducing thousands of people to responsible outdoor adventure, I’ve made a difference… but there’s so much more that I can, want and need to do. Putting up a website to sell a simple ebook on hiking and backpacking is a good start, but I have other ideas and bigger projects in mind.
I would like to solicit comments and suggestions on these ideas as I share them with you. We are all part of something bigger. None of us can do it alone. We are more powerful and achieve so much more… when we work together.
