Me, I love being outside in nature. Here in Michigan, there are plenty of woods and waterways to explore.
I think my fondness of the outdoors started when I was young. I often spent my free time out in the woods with friends. I remember spending an entire day one time with my best friend building a log walking bridge over a small stream in the middle of the woods. We had a blast building it. Wish I had my tractor back then!
My family also spend a lot of time "up north" camping and fishing on the lakes. I found out when I met my wife, who is from Ohio, that "up north" is a Michigan phrase. She had no idea what it meant. I had to rephrase and start stories with, "When we were in northern Michigan one time...."
These days, nothing beats a long walk along my tree line with my dog. I love watching the birds soaring around in the sky or the squirrels hoping around in the branches. I even enjoy the way my boots feel on the soft dirt. Sometimes we'll cut of the trail and make our own path. It's fun poking around, looking under logs and rocks. My dog usually is a great help with this.
Occasionally we'll stop and take a seat against a tree and watch the forest come alive around us. When I was young, I hunted a lot but these days I like just watching the animals in their environment. I enjoy the way the leaves fall and the trees sway with the wind.
On warm summer nights, nothing beats sitting out under the stars. Usually my dad will drop by and join me. Not sure what he enjoys better, the stars or the big cigars he brings with him. I have to admit though, I don't mind the smell of those cigars... It reminds me of when we would go pheasant hunting in corn fields when I was a kid.
How do you enjoy your free time? Working outside or spending time with family?
I think my fondness of the outdoors started when I was young. I often spent my free time out in the woods with friends. I remember spending an entire day one time with my best friend building a log walking bridge over a small stream in the middle of the woods. We had a blast building it. Wish I had my tractor back then!
My family also spend a lot of time "up north" camping and fishing on the lakes. I found out when I met my wife, who is from Ohio, that "up north" is a Michigan phrase. She had no idea what it meant. I had to rephrase and start stories with, "When we were in northern Michigan one time...."
These days, nothing beats a long walk along my tree line with my dog. I love watching the birds soaring around in the sky or the squirrels hoping around in the branches. I even enjoy the way my boots feel on the soft dirt. Sometimes we'll cut of the trail and make our own path. It's fun poking around, looking under logs and rocks. My dog usually is a great help with this.
Occasionally we'll stop and take a seat against a tree and watch the forest come alive around us. When I was young, I hunted a lot but these days I like just watching the animals in their environment. I enjoy the way the leaves fall and the trees sway with the wind.
On warm summer nights, nothing beats sitting out under the stars. Usually my dad will drop by and join me. Not sure what he enjoys better, the stars or the big cigars he brings with him. I have to admit though, I don't mind the smell of those cigars... It reminds me of when we would go pheasant hunting in corn fields when I was a kid.
How do you enjoy your free time? Working outside or spending time with family?
For me, and I guess many, it has an effect that is akin to a spiritual experience. There is just something grounding and uplifting about being surrounded by nature. It keeps things in perspective.
