It’s always an adventure, that’s what we have said for over twenty years of marriage. In recent years we have moved from Minnesota to Alaska and then from Alaska to Florida. Before that our love of the outdoors took us all over the country. I have fished, hunted and foraged across the country and am looking forward to many more years of adventures.
Time in the wild is critical if you are going to have encounters with wildlife. Sure, anyone can happen across a bear or deer. However to truly have a long list of unique and great stories you have to get out into the wild. In my short time in Florida I have encountered two panthers, this in addition to the deer, boar, otter, gators, and many other species. That is a boast many life long Floridians cannot make. While in Alaska I experienced close encounters with bear, sea lions, seals, see otters, whales, dolphins, and of course moose. Recently I shared a video where a sea otter actually climbed into my boat with me. In Minnesota I encountered many of the same species and have gotten so close to deer that I could reach out and pet them. Actually we once came home with one and did get to pet it.
These stories and more are products of countless hours in the woods and on the water. Hiking, hunting, fishing, and foraging have brought me closer to nature than I would have ever imagined. These are memories that I cherish and will always remember. Stories I would not have had I been sitting in my garage or yard. To get great outdoor stories you must spend time in the wild.
You may be asking how do I do it, where do I start? Simple really, start walking one new trail per week in your area. Walk any trail but if you can find nature preserves, wildlife management areas, state parks, or national forests. For those in a more urban setting look for city or county parks with walking trails. Often times rivers or lakes will have trails. Google and google maps are great resources for this. Once you find a trail use google earth to look and see how developed it is around it.
This is the most important part. Once outdoors put your phone on airplane mode and use it only for your camera. Take it slow, pay attention to the details around you. Look at mushrooms, flowers, unique plants, fish, birds, and anything else that you see. Try to relax, breath deep, and take it all in. For those new to this it may be difficult at first. We are programed to have continuous stimulation from electronic devises and it takes awhile to break it. However with a little practice you will have it down and will be amazed at the benefits that come with it. In the meantime here is a short video showing just a few of the many animals that we have seen along the way.
