So you guys can all probably guess what I am going to talk about... The great outdoors. Kind of cheesy, I know. But have you ever stood in the middle of a giant meadow, up to your thighs in grass and wildflowers? Climbed a tree to watch the sunset? Camped without a tent to watch the stars at night? Just thinking about it all gives me the chills.
My family always jokes that I was born into the wrong family because I am the only one out of five (besides my dad) that enjoys to be outside. There is just something about getting really dirty and almost being one with the earth that I really love.
My grandpa is kind of a hick. He's a rough and tough old man that has spent more time under the sun than anywhere else. He has been my best buddy growing up, taking me to all sorts of fun places and teaching me all sorts of fun things. One of our favorite activities together is fishing. So boring right? But when you're out on the ocean with a King Salmon on the end of your line, you just get this huge surge of power and you feel so in charge and you wrestle the fish into your net and it's just great.
And that's only one of the things we do together. Have you ever been abalone diving? Talk about a thrill. Just getting into the wetsuit is an adventure. It's amazing being in the freezing Pacific Ocean, swimming around with the seals and fish and seeing colorful starfish and anemones.
Whether I am fishing, scuba diving, riding dirtbikes, or even just chopping wood, I always feel this amazing awe and wonder at the Earth. God created something truly amazing for us, and how can we take it for granted and not enjoy the beauty of it? The next time you're outside, just take a minute and notice the colors changing on Y mountain. Listen for the birds. Look at the shapes of the clouds. Hopefully you will feel the same kind of peace and serenity that I feel whenever I am enjoying the great outdoors.
I totally agree with you! I LOVE the outdoors! I feel the same awe you do every time I am outdoors. The thrill of climbing a new mountain and seeing a gorgeous view is something I always look forward to! Excellent job!
ReplyDeleteI also love the outdoors. Nature has always fascinated me. Just reading your blog makes me want to go outside. Too bad we don't have wireless internet in the dorms or I would be outside at this very moment. I grew up spending most of my time outside. As a kid I was always outside playing, and today it seems as kids are always sitting inside wasting their lives away watching television and playing video games. It's sad. I also enjoy fishing. Even if you aren't catching anything it is fun to just be out on the water and to take the time to enjoy the scenery and wildlife which surrounds you.
ReplyDeleteWell, I am already a fan of the outdoors, so you didn't have to sell much to me there. What you did manage to do is make we want to go outside right now, instead of sitting here at the computer.
ReplyDeleteI would have liked to hear more about abalone diving. What exactly is it? When did you first try it?
Well, if you really want to hear about diving... I would love to tell you. :)
ReplyDeleteMy grandpa has a cabin on the coast in Northern California, and I practically grew up there. My Grandpa started diving when he was young, and then started taking his kids. My mom didn't want me to try it because she thinks it is too dangerous, but I talked her into it, so I've been diving since I was about 12.
It is really cold where we dive, so we wear full body wetsuits, including a hood and booties. When we are ready to go, we either climb down some bluffs to the water and start from shore, or we take a Zodiac (kind of like a little dinghy) and start from in the water.
When we dive, we just use snorkels. We swim around on the top of the water and look for the abalone. They are usually on the side of rocks, and can be really hard to see. When we do see one, we dive down and stick a pry bar between the ab and the rock and really quickly pop it off. It can be tricky, and if you get it wrong the first time, it can be impossible to break the suction and you'll never get the ab.
One of my favorite parts of diving is just being in the water. I've seen some incredible things. I have seen so many seals and all kinds of fish and starfish and anemones. I have swam through the seaweed and touched the ocean floor 15 feet down and I've even seen sharks. It is quite incredible. :)
Sorry this was so long. I just have quite a passion for diving, and could talk about it forever to anyone who would listen. :)