The Outdoors

For the last 3 million years, the human race has spent the majority of their lives outdoors. In this day and age, with some exceptions, the majority of people live and work within four walls and with a roof over their heads. They may venture outside to mow the lawn, get the mail, wash the car or yell for the kids if they’re not in front of the tube watching abstract shows or playing video games with no more knowledge of the great outdoors than when they mistakenly surf to the National Geographic channel.

Somewhere within the heart of most men and women is the ancestral instinct of the natural world and many are drawn to the mountains, lakes, rivers and the sea on their vacations. There are endless opportunities for recreation, activities and sports outdoors and there is no better way to refresh your soul and recharge your batteries than to observe and intermingle with nature. There is no need to travel long distances and seek out wilderness areas, as within a short drive from nearly every city and town, there is something for the whole family.

Fishing and camping are activities that draw virtually hundreds of thousands of people out of their houses and into the fields every year. Although for some, these trips are drunken debacles, the majority of participants are serious sportsmen and women who have great knowledge of the natural world and its inhabitants. More and more cities are promoting urban fishing in intercity lakes and ponds. For the price of a cheap license and a couple of gallons of gas, the kids will not only have fish, but ear-to-ear smiles and fishing tales to tell.

No one will argue that a trip to the beach is not synonymous with great fun. Here the happy beach revelers can swim, lay in the sun, play volley ball, ride jet skis, surf, snorkel and scuba dive. Either lapping waves or crashing breakers are much more soothing than listening to Oprah giving away millions or Judge Judy chastising both plaintive and defendants. A day at the beach will never fail to produce fun gaiety and painful sunburns.

Many popular activities include hiking, camping, rock climbing, river rafting, scuba diving, cycling, windsurfing and kiteboarding. Take the kids to the park, the zoo or an animal park. Whatever it is, when the four walls start closing in on you, go outdoors.