This article about enjoying the great outdoors was composed on a mountaintop in the White River National Forest north of Rifle, Colorado. The bow was leaning against a tree…backpack was on the ground. I had just finished a sandwich and the sun was baking down on the glade. I pulled my hat down over my eyes, began composing this letter to you and dozed off in the great outdoors!
The letter topic was actually inspired the night before. We were in the middle of a dream trip. It all started when old neighbors from when I lived in Corona re-connected with me on Facebook. Mike & Connie Martin are great friends who invited me to come to Denver, go fly fishing and take in the Denver Broncos home opener!! That was too good to pass up; I’d never been to Mile High Stadium.
The Broncos Week 1 game coincided with the opening of archery season in Colorado where Dad has been bugging me to visit. Micah Peterson, Brian White and I talked to Dad and planned an elk hunting trip together, north of Rifle, Colorado in the White River National Forest.
Around the fire on the second night, Brian said that when he told his friends he was going elk hunting in Colorado – some of them characterized it as going killing. Brian felt they were mischaracterizing the activity. He made the point that it is nothing like that; it is hiking and camping and photography and conversation. Actually taking a shot is very rare. Actually getting an animal is extremely rare; (less than 12% of hunters do). Hunting is about the camaraderie and enjoying the great outdoors. “Brian, I believe you have just inspired the October letter.”
We thoroughly enjoyed our time in the great outdoors of Colorado. (Honestly, there were a few bad moments. See the Mountain Altitude Sickness article inside the newsletter for the gruesome details.)
Dad has a very unique way of experiencing the great outdoors. He says it is when he feels the closest to God. He doesn’t go to church but he feels very close to God when he is in the mountains and enjoying nature. He expresses that sentiment with warmth that gives you pause when he is talking about it.
What do you do to get into the great outdoors? Remember, that is where your ancestors were born and raised. It’s in your blood. It’s natural to want to spend time outside. When you take the time to enjoy the great outdoors, you’ll be happier, healthier, and any stress you are feeling will melt away. I promise!
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