After returning from basic training all I wanted to do was go have fun. Being told what to do and when to do it for four months really made me realize how amazing I have it at home. I was missing hunting and fishing like never before, but I really started missing that freedom of being outside and choosing to do what I love. Being in the outdoors is a freedom we take for granted and I tend to make sure I never do that again.
First thing I wanted to do was get in the water. I’ve always loved swimming and being in the lakes so what better than doing a little cliff jumping. Right outside of my home town of Logan, there is a farm pond that has a nice twenty foot cliff. It isn’t anything special but it’s a rush, it’s fun, and it beats standing in Georgia weather! Being surrounded by my friends with no worry in the world, at the lake, is exactly what I was looking for.
Next step was to do some snorkeling. Personally I have never snorkeled in the ocean but I have been in Iowa and Minnesota for a few years now. I love every second of it. I really enjoy filming and taking pictures with my GoPro. In the future I would really love to get into spear fishing. Go to the ocean or maybe somewhere with a large lake. For now it’s the fact I’m in the water, face to face with the fish I am so used to catching, and able to catch them on camera.
Nature has so many amazing gifts out there for us to admire, that we need to go out of our way to see them. Personally I made it a goal to spend as much time possible outside, whether I am alone or accompanied by someone I love. Being outside has made into the man I am today and without my family and friends teaching me the way of the outdoorsmen I don’t know where I would be. I truly believe that the individuals who are not a fan of the outdoors and nature have not been shown the that path and are missing out on the true beauty of what this world has to offer. We must go out of our way to share the beauty with inexperienced.
