Once you reach the rocky and unwelcoming turnout on the side of the road you park. Stretch your legs. Take one last peek at the map and choose a direction. On this day, I choose north away from the windy dirt road. Away from the crowds clamoring to reach the tucked away lake. Away from […]

The following is a short glimpse into one day of a child being permitted and encouraged to play outside with the only entertainment being that made by Mother Nature. Thank you to these children for sharing their imagination during Camping for Kids. Beneath each ponderosa pine is a thick bed of needles.  Bundles of three, […]

On occasion the time calls for something out of the ordinary.  And, well because we don’t know how many people really read any of these quips from someone who enjoys spending as much of their time as possible outside, it is difficult to determine when an article will bring a bellyful of laughter or hate […]

For the past many weeks I’ve been outside walking.  With the winter snow melted, the hills beckon with their rocky pathways, dirt laden trails or leaf covered walkway.  My walks differ by the day.  Sometimes the destination is the high alpine meadows with seemingly endless views that stretch for mile after mile.  Other times, the […]

The water source was anything but appealing.  Brackish pools of stagnation, a thickening film of green and the additional of brown polyps of nasty.  I’d been looking forward to this water source.  Two weeks ago its nectar flowed well over its banks manufacturing a blanket of white marsh marigolds in the seeping lands. Empty bottles […]

The winter accumulation of snow has receded from the meadows.  A slow, mesmerizing melt of the smallest granules of water droplets begins at the edges.  As the snow melts away, small rivulets form and flow amongst and around each tuff and pebble and foot print of the season before.  As the daily temperatures increase parcels […]

Now that you have eaten a most scrumptious meal and the kids have marshmallow goo all over their face, hands and the front of an already filthy t-shirt it is time to put out your campfire. Smokey the Bear is a grand guy and appreciates your responsible actions with fire..  Earlier you were reminded to […]

The most perfect campfire has been prepared and the coals are hot.  What are you going to make for a meal?  How about these options? Breakfast – Orange, Egg and Muffin – easy to prepare! Ingredients:  orange, egg, muffin mix and seasonings to taste Equipment Needed:  aluminum foil, knife and spoon How to Prepare:  cut […]

Remember childhood?  Then you remember cooking over the campfire.  And, you also remember that everything tasted great and was made better by the fact that something got burned, dropped into the ash and was wiped off and eaten.  Then, there is the smell of a campfire … soothing and comforting! As summer is approaching, and […]

I knew I was special.  No one had told me why nevertheless I knew my protective skin was beautiful and my squishy insides segmented, perishable and one of the kind special. Rough, that is how I would describe my previous handling.  But, I don’t blame the dry, overused hands that had a job to do […]