Cabin Fever

Most of my free time is spent doing something....well....anything outdoors. In the warmer months I'm always puttering through the hills hiking, hunting, or fishing my favorite creek. In the cold and snowy months, I find myself looking like the child in the movie 'A Christmas Story' in hopes of not freezing to death, to find that same adrenalin rush that clean mountain air gives me. A snowboard and a pair of snow shoes are usually my fashion accessories from December through March. If you've never heard the sound of COMPLETE silence and serenity, rent a pair of snowshoes and head for that trail you usually hike in the summer.

Always being able to jump in my Jeep and wander aimlessly in the backwoods has become a habit. One that I now realize I have been taking for granted.

I have spent the last 3 weeks at a children's hospital with my daughter waiting to see IF she would get better, praying that she would be ok, watching her go from a tough little girl who follows me through bear country with no fear, to a small feeble person that couldn't breathe on her own. Her toughness though has earned her a reputation here, and I have watched her go through things no child should have to, handling each a bravely as she could.  She has overcome hellacious obstacles from pneumonia to staff infections..(note the s..she had more than one), even heart surgery, and is finally on the mend.

For those three weeks, nothing else has mattered but her comfort and health, but now that we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and our minds are beginning to think about what we want to do when we are out of here, and we both have EXTREME CABIN FEVER....Though I could have left, I chose to stay by her side to lessen the fear of being in an environment completely unfamiliar to either of us. (not to mention the fact that the motherly instinct made me want to hover in case I was needed) With the exception of walking to the parking lot on occasion, I have been indoors for almost a month.......I HAVE 'NEVER' NOT BEEN ABLE TO GO OUTSIDE.....

My parents divorced when I was 6 and I moved from my small hick town in the middle of nowhere to the Bay Area of California. (can I just say I am living proof that you can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl) I lived there with my mom until I was 17, visiting my dad on holidays and during the summers. The time I spent with my dad always seemed to have something to do with the mountains. If we weren't taking my Grandma on a Sunday picnic, we were hiking or driving around spotting deer. When I finally decided that I had had more city than I could take, I moved back home with him and swore I would never take for granted the fact that I was surrounded by the beauty I did not have in the city. Finding anything resembling nature from where we lived in California, was at least a 3 hour drive.

It wasn't until now that I realized....I think I do take for granted that the mountains are a 15 minute drive from home, and I can usually go there whenever I feel like it, but being here has also made me think about how I blog. Though I will always encourage you to try and get out, I also realize everyone's lives are different and there may be reasons you cannot get out as much as you like, or maybe even at all. Whatever reason you may have, at least take the opportunity if it arises, and if you get to a point when life is too crazy and the opportunity never presents itself, go after it. You won't be sorry. Sometimes just a drive to the park full of trees and singing birds can be extremely relaxing, de-stressing, and great mental therapy. Don't take for granted the world around you and the beauty it holds.

The First Step Is Bravery

When I was younger and unmarried....I was a bit of a loner. Not because I was shy or uncomfortable with being around people(well maybe a little), but mostly because many of the things I did, were not things that the average 20 year old girl would do(Or even should do alone, but being my independent self...I did them anyway). In the back of my mind, I guess I just usually assumed that no one would have wanted to go with me....so I just went alone or with my dad instead of inviting friends. (saved myself the let down of them telling me no, and giving me weird looks of 'why would I want to do that')

My willingness to wander to the woods could have come from a number of reasons, perhaps because in a small town there's not much to do but fish and hunt, but I'm guessing it was because I was very comfortable in the outdoors having spent so much time out there while I was growing up. My reasons now are different than they used to be, but I manage to find a reason, none the less. Sometimes it's because I want to hang out with my kids that are growing up faster than I realize, and some times it's because I feel the need to hide from those same kids who seem to think I am made of money, and should be their maid, lol.

So....it turns out, that over the years.....I have learned that most of my friends would probably have gone with me if only I had asked. Many of the women I used to hang out with, love the outdoors just as much as I do. Being that most women have a mutual appreciation of sorts for the outdoors, I'm here to share my ambitions, and what I have learned along the way. Whether it be lying on the beaches of Florida, climbing to the top of the nearest mountain peak, or wakeboarding her favorite lake, being in the outdoors is not just classified as being in the woods. It's all about getting out and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, smelling the flowers, listening to the birds sing, or even dancing in the rain in your backyard.  (Unless you live in L.A. and then your focus would probably be on getting out of the smog before you can enjoy the air, lol) It doesn't have to be sunny, or warm....you just have to make adjustments in how you dress.

Be brave. You have to start somewhere. Figure out what it is that you have been dying to do. Maybe it's as simple as taking the family on a pic nic. Maybe it's a week long vacation to someplace scenic where you can hook up with a photographic outfitter. Start with doing a little homework on what your options are. Where and when can I go, what is within my budget, what type of atmosphere will I be in, and what will I need when I get there. Having been in situations where survival skills were needed or at least helpful, and being comfortable using those skills, makes all the difference.

Knowledge is your friend.....and so is the internet when it comes to this subject. The world is at your fingertips as far as information goes. Wanting to do something, and knowing how to go about it are two totally different things. Not knowing how is often what keeps us from being adventurous. So doing a little homework is important.....know what you're up against.

Trying new things can be intimidating, and making time for yourself is always a challenge. If you take a minute to do your homework, the knowlege you gain, without a doubt, will give you the courage you need to get going.

Don't let the fear of what might happen keep you from trying. Let being prepared for anything give you the confidence to succeed.

What's Holding You Back?

Is lack of knowing what to expect keeping you from exploring the great outdoors? Let's start with the basics. Make a mental plan of where you're going and what you might want to do when you get there. (You can write it down if you're like me. My mental notes tend to erase themselves when I'm not looking.)

Which brings me to the moral of todays ramblings.....Here's a few basic things you should know before you venture away from civilization.

No matter where you're traveling, you'll need some basics. Start with how you dress. Common sense is really useful when you're headed to the outdoors(you may want to leave your heals at home.....they tend to sink in soft dirt and mud). Also just as handy is all this new technology in outdoor clothing that has surfaced in the last few years. You can go basic, or extreme, but be careful....over packing for a situation is always a danger. Of course...if you aren't packing it on your back for 5 miles....then no harm done...pack away!!

Basically, check the weather, dress for it, and then be prepared for it to change. If you're going on a day trip, it doesn't take much to throw a hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants in your back pack...just in case it gets too cold for the shorts and tank top that you left the house in. An important note here is, be prepared to pack what you've packed....simply put...those sweats aren't going to do you much good if you left them in the car, and the temperature drops and you are 3 miles away.

Water is probably the next on your list of things to pack. On average, a person can go up to 3 weeks without food....although....I wouldn't recommend it, but you'll only last about 3 DAYS without water....and not even that long if you're already dehydrated. (Like when you're hiking through the mountains looking for water....you're using the water storage that your body has saved up....you're probably not going to last 3 days...)However, hopefully, you threw in a few extra bottles to get you by.

Fire is not always the difference between life or death, but it serves several purposes besides the obvious heat factor. Have you have noticed that WHENEVER there is a fire near by....we tend to turn around and back right up to it...IT CAN BE WARM OUTSIDE, and we still back up to a campfire. It's heat when you're cold, comfort when you're lonely, and can double as an oven if you have some tin foil stowed away in you're pack.

Next on MY list of needs is First Aid. Something simple is good to include. I doesn't have to be a big fancy first aid kit, but some bandages and anticeptic are a good start, and you can  taylor it to your needs. (If you'll be in rattle snake country, throw in a snake bite kit, if the weather is unpredictable throw in a light rain poncho...things like that) The most important thing in this department is that you have some first aid knowledge. You don't have to run out and take a crash course on becoming an EMT, but everyone should know how to treat shock, tie a splint for a broken bone, apply pressure to a bleeding wound, even a basic idea of how to do CPR. One of the biggest causes of death in the outdoors is hypothermia, so you should know the signs and how to prevent it.
 You may never have to do any of these things, but if you ever need them, you probably won't be sorry that you knew how to help someone.

In todays' world, electronics are a standard. Seriously....how many people do you see without a cell phone in hand. This is probably one of those common sense items, but being able to contact someone for help if you need it can mean the difference between life or death. One very important thing I want to mention here is DO NOT TOTALLY RELY ON YOUR CELL PHONE TO SAVE YOU. Though technology has evolved tremmendously over the years, it does have a few bugs. For one thing, there is almost always no cell service when you're surrounded by cliffs and ledges, and...the batteries tend to die quickly after spending a night camping in cooler temperatures.

So, along with your trusty cell phone, you should pack a 'back up' plan, which brings me to the last item on my list of must haves EVERY time I leave the house. Tell someone where you're going...and if you don't have someone to tell, leave a note on your counter. Basic info of where you went, why you went there, who you're with, and when you plan on returning could be the difference between spending a few hours, or a few days in a situation where you need help.

Hopefully, you'll never be in a situation that warrants needing any of the things I've metioned in order for you to stay alive, but sometimes, knowing that you're prepared for anything, is enough to make you conscious of all the possibilities, which in turn makes you a little more cautious, which in turn again, will keep you from putting yourself in a bad situation. For example, 'maybe I shouldn't go for that hike, it looks like rain and I left my rain coat home'. Many bad situations can be prevented with common sense. Stop and think about where you're going, what you need, and what could happen while your there....and then prepare for it. I don't really think there's such a thing as being 'too prepared'.

If you insist on packing too much into the backwoods....'just in case'....let me just give you some advice....get a mule. They work Great! Kind of like a big walking suitcase. Mine's name is Johnny! If I plan on packing in for more than 2 days....Johnny will likely be loaded with everything but the kitchen sink, because no one ever said that being in the outdoors had to be time spent being miserable because I didn't have room for my air mattress....

The Perfect Valentine

Mental vacations are often a life saver for me, but there comes a time when I JUST can't effectively pretend. Usually it's because I know there is something out there waiting for me. The crisp clean air of Winter, the serenity of the mountains completely silenced by a breath taking layer of snow, the howl of the coyote in the distance, and then.....the roar of my snowmobile, haha. Whatever it is.....something calls to me and says 'lets go'.....so I do, and last weekend....I DID.

Armed with my camera, spotting scope and binoculars, we headed for the roads less traveled (we meaning my husband and I. I realize not many women would pick camping in the snow over flowers and dinner....but I think we have made it clear that I am not like many, and for me, it was the perfect Valentine get-away). Whether I have an actual excuse or not, it's always fun to get off the beaten path and spend time seeing what's out and about in Winter. (and...it's always nice to spend time with my husband)

One of the cool things about Winter (no pun intended) is that it is the opportune time for wildlife viewing.....well....some wildlife. Granted, there are those that are sleeping underground and in logs(which has often rendered in the back of my mind as a bit unfair, that if you don't like the weather outside, you just crawl in a hole and sleep until it gets better....but then I come to my senses and remember that I love snow sports) There are, however, those critters who are not lucky enough to sleep right on through the cold and snowy months. Those who are forced to seek food and shelter on lower grounds have it a little tougher.

Here lies an opportunity to get up close and personal with all different kinds of wildlife. It can offer a chance to get out and view an animal that you otherwise may never see. The foothills our showered with elk and deer this time of year, doing what they can to find an easier source of food.

Grab your binoculars and go for a drive. I'm not suggesting that you try and wander out to pet them....they need their space. But, you can get fairly close without bothering them. The idea is to stay at a safe distance so that they're not stressed about you being there, and you're not being charged by a grumpy moose who doesn't share the same excitement about seeing you as you do about seeing him. Besides....harassing wildlife, in most states, is illegal, and I think chasing them up the hill to get a picture qualifies. But, if you're careful not to get too close, they will happily pose for you while you watch.

From Spring right on through late Fall, all animals are diligently trying to pack on weight so that when Winter rolls in, they have that extra bit of insulation most of us humans are trying to avoid. Without these extra fat rolls and resources, their chances of Winter survival will be slim, and getting through those fidged nights will be much harder.

Keep this in mind as you go out searching for critters. It's important for them to conserve their energy in an effort to survive the Winter conditions, and they don't want to exerpt any more than necessary. If you're out there chasing or tormenting them....they will obviously be needlessly using their resources. With that said, grab your gear and head for the hills.

Mid-Winter Dilema....What To Do, What To Do

Winter always seems as though it drags on just a LITTLE bit longer than we would like it to. Though it's all very necessary....(tis' the cycle of the seasons) it tends to bring with it gray skys and sometimes gloomy days. And....with an enourmous amount of gloom surrounding us when we look outside, it's sometimes hard to be....well....not gloomy. Hence my tip of the day. Cheer up! Gloom is simply a state of mind, so the good news is....it's not permanent.

Yes, winter limits the things one can do outside if you're looking at it from a summertime point of view. But.....try looking at if from a Winter standpoint. The number of winter activities probably far exceed what you might be thinking because you're focusing on the fact that you'd rather be laying on the beach, or gardening. Take a minute to look around the things Winter has to offer. Simple things like, taking pictures of the fresh fallen snow, or just playing in it can be BIG fun. The key to making it fun, is dressing for it. Put on your snow pants and coat and make a snow angel. If you're not a big fan of playing in the snow, you can always be in charge of making the hot cocoa for the after party. My daughter tells me that you can do anything in the Winter that you can do in the summer...you just have to where a coat! Even hitting an indoor swimming pool is an option. The point is, everything is relative in how you present it to yourself. In other words, if you're focusing on what you CAN'T do because it's not summer, then you may be looking past all of the possibilities of what you CAN do now that it's winter.

Winter is full of outdoor opportunities. TAKE THEM! Get out and hit the slopes, do some wildlife viewing, or even just go for a drive. Getting out doesn't mean you have to take up something new that you've never done before, or that you have to spend a lot of money. It can be anything that takes your mind off of the down side of Winter.
In short.....change the way you think, broaden your horizons, and look at it from an entirely different direction. You'll be amazed at how much better things sound.

Lesson '2' In Taking A Moment For Yourself

In my last post, I was pondering on why we don't see more women in the outdoors, although, I do actually see more than I used to. I have stumbled across another gal or two while hunting over the last couple of years. It seems that the girl movement to the outdoors may be catching on. We now have several lines of outdoor apparel designed for us, as well as guns and optics. Woman in the outdoors is becoming a bit bigger every day. (Look out boys...we're tagging along) Whether you like pink camo, or not, the feminine side is beginning to make a big impact in the outdoors. My dilemma is giving more women the confidence to get out there.

This brings me to the next item on my list of reasons for staying inside. Could it possibly be.....hmmm.... maybe a little intimidation, or fear of going at it alone. So...DON'T go alone....find a buddy. I'm not saying, get online and advertise for someone to take you into the backwoods.....lets be sensible here. But grab someone you know well, a significant other, best friend, or even the little old lady next door. Go for a drive or a short walk and you'll both be happier! Just get out and focus on something other than everyday life, bills, stress......stop and smell the flowers for goodness sake. Besides, that's the great thing about problems....rarely do they solve themselves....they'll be there when you get back and you might just have a whole new outlook on solving them that suddenly came to you while you were getting your head together. Fresh air, and a fresh look at the situation may solve your problem for you.

As for myself, I am all about finding reasons to spend more time outdoors. Maybe it's my selfishness that gets me out there more than my fair share, or maybe it's my stubbornness, that I am just extremely determined to get what I want. Whatever the reason, I can usually manage to squeeze a drive to the mountains in my busy week. (It does help that the mountains are only about a 15 minute drive from my house.) I can always tell when I need a 'mountain fix'. I get grumpy and irritable. The point I'm trying to make is FIND THE ONE THING THAT TRULY TAKES YOUR MIND OFF OF YOUR PROBLEMS, and do it, for yourself AND those around you. If only for a couple of minutes....it will help you get through.

After having my second child, I found that my life had changed drastically. I went from being able to spend every spare minute in the mountains hiking and watching wildlife, to being stuck in a house with two small kids that required all of my attention. With two small bundles that I felt I had to hover over, I now had no choice, no time for myself, and an extreme depression set in.....I believe they call it 'baby blues'. Yup....I had them. I found myself flipping out over some of the littlest things. I would practically bite someone's head off and then stop myself and think......'what the heck is wrong with me'. I consulted my OBGYN who told me that I had a classic case of the baby blues and was quick to prescribe an all too common fix of prozac. A bit hesitant, I filled the prescription,  but on the way home, I couldn't help but think that there must be another way to fix the problem. I had heard bad things about prozac side effects and was a little leery. I'm not saying the world could function without prozac, (we're talking about my head....remember) I'm just one of those people that doesn't like to take an aspirin for a headache, let a lone an antidepressant. After a long period of pondering why this might be happening to me, I decided that it was simply because I had felt like I had no life of my own anymore. Now.....all I had to do was figure out how to fix it.....

My son was three, and my baby girl was about 3ish months old. I decided it was time for them to get out more. I purchased a little baby backpack and off we went for a short hike near the house. Sometimes I dropped the baby off at grandmas for an hour, but a couple of times each week, I managed to push myself out the door for a moment away. I never used the prozac prescription, but a couple of hikes or short drives played a HUGE part in making me sane again. The moral of the story.....take a minute to focus on what YOU need as a person so you can give those around you what they need.

My kids are older now, but over the years I have taken up several new sports that ensure me more time in the outdoors. Things such as photography, wildlife viewing, fishing, and wakeboarding are just a few of my favorite ways to spend time, and it's time with my family. Not only have I made time for my mental health....but I usually drag one or more children with me. Sometimes it's a one on one trip, and sometimes we all pile in and head off to roast a hotdog just because we can!

We previouly discussed the reasons that keep us indoors, and decided that taking time out for ourselves is usually not at the top of the priority list. Well girlies...I'm here to tell ya', if you don't take a moment for yourself, NOBODY else will!

Lesson '1' In Taking A Moment For Yourself

I often wonder why you don't see more women in the outdoors. I'm not talking just hunting or fishing. I for instance, spend probably more time than I should, driving aimlessly through the mountains.....for various reasons (sometimes fishing, sometimes looking for wildlife, sometimes just because I needed to get away for a minute). I can honestly say that I really can't remember ever passing another woman that looked like she might be doing the same thing as me.....ever!!
I'm certain there are a number of reasons that keep us indoors, but I'm betting most women will agree that it is just plain hard to find the time. So... lets put down the first reason as being 'priorities'. We ALWAYS have things to do that seem more important at the time. (Yes, we do have responsibilities to tend to) Can't catch the morning sunrise because I have get the kids off to school, can't catch the sunset because I have to get dinner on the table, can't take an hour for myself because......well, you know the routine. I myself have missed many opportunities because I felt guilty taking time out for myself when there were so many things that needed to be done. Though I can't set your priorities in order for you, let me give you a little encouragement in the 'mental vacation' department. Sometimes a quick drive away from town is all it takes.....sometimes it's even less.

How often do you say, 'I really need a vacation?' Taking a vacation may not be as tough as you think. Yes, most vacations cost money and take time to plan. Well, this one doesn't require either. Try this....close your eyes and think for a moment of your favorite place, a place that makes you feel at ease, relaxed, laid back. Think of a place where no one and nothing can bother you. Tah dah! Ok, so I realize it wasn't as fun as a week in the Hawaii, but sometimes it only takes a moment to stop life at its craziest, get your head together, regroup, and get back to reality with a whole new outlook. Sometime, those little 'mental vacations' are a life saver. They can give you a new outlook on something that you couldn't figure out because you were so stressed over it. Sometimes, a 10 minute 'mental vacation' is all you need to go on about your day.

One of my favorite places is about a 3 hour drive from home. With the price of gas today, and a limited amount of DAYS to travel, I have a picture hanging in my office of that area. My job comes with a sizeable amount of stress on any given day. Let me give you a little insight into my brain. Stress takes too much time from a working mother of 3, so I have chosen to omit it from my daily happenings. Sometimes all it takes is a moment focused on that photo to relax me, and lessen my blood pressure. It is a reminder that stress is not worth the effort it takes, not worth the headache, and a reminder that there is more to life than whatever problem I may be facing at that moment. Staring at this photo, I often think of some of the accomplishments I have made while there, and it becomes an instant inspiration for overcoming hurdles. For instance, I once tracked on my GPS over 70 miles that I walked, yes WALKED, in a 3 week period while elk hunting there. 70 MILES.....ON FOOT.....if I can walk 70 miles through some pretty rugged terrain, I should be able to make it to the gym for 20 minutes on the treadmill.

This little 'photo vacation' idea came from my boss, who is from Wisconsin, and would often seem fairly depressed in the fall because she was not home to see the changing colors of the season. Though we live in a really scenic area, to her, nothing compared to the Fall colors in the Midwest. She would often point at a picture from her calendar and say "I'm going there...I'll be back later", and for a few moments she would stare at the photo. Oddly enough, she always came back from her 'mental vacation' with a smile.

Today, we have eliminated your excuse for a moment to yourself because you don't have enough time. Today, a moment, tomorrow an hour, and before you know it....maybe a WHOLE afternoon!!

Let me leave you with one last thought, if you can't take a few minutes out of your busy day to keep yourself sane, you're probably making everyone around you crazy.