Ok, longer answer. I have been outside most of my life. I tried the management thing and inside work. I got out of both asap and back to working alone outside. I dont care for cities. Been to most of the biggies in the US, didnt lose anything there, dont need to go back. I live rural and my back yard is a good sized forested area that I own. I like it that way and worked for a long time to have it. Sometimes when I go camping I feel like Hagrid from Harry Potter when he told the lady in pink that he was away getting fresh air. Skiing, kayaking, camping and comp shooting are all very similar in that they are a personal test of ability. The stuff I like to do really cant be affected by anyone else. Closing in on 57 y/o, 2 of 3 kids are out of college, financially ok, I have been able to do things that I really couldnt before. So now I can do more than work outside in a more serious manner. I dont know. Maybe it is smaller accomplishments that not everyone sees but I get to prove to me that I can do. Skiing; I work out so I can still do black diamonds and if I cant, its my fault. I ski 2 knee braces now so no moguls. When it comes together and there is good separation and the legs are moving a l emniscate you feel it and the world is good. No real goals at this point. Except I want to ski into my 80's, so keeping up keeping form is paramount along with getting on the hill. (daughter1, son, wife participate) Kayaking; I work out so that I can paddle correctly all day long and I like to cover some ground. If I do my half eskimo roll, that isnt on anyone else. When I have a good day or even a few hours where I took what the water gave me, made the boat do what I wanted, and still reached the point I wanted to be it is a good feeling. My goal is to learn the other half of the eskimo roll this summer. The UP half. (daughter 1-2, son, and wife participate) Camping it isnt as much of a test of ability, as it is a reality check and a game to see how comfy I can be (and what kind of chow I can make, jambalaya over a pocket rocket ) with minimal gear. The pay off is relaxing. Goals have transitioned. I want to still be able to pack in and be comfy, but with retirement on the horizon, I have decided a camper is pretty cool. It also gives me a better jump off point for the next activity. (son is only non camper camper 🙂 ) Comp shooting. It is all about doing better than I did last time. I cuff up and toss a 5 or worse a berm, the odds of a good score just got a lot slimmer. When I read the wind right, keep form, have worked the core, strength, and stamina, and dont do anything foolish, I get to the end and can look a a good score that is better or close to my best. I made one of the goals and am master classed as of last weekend. I earned points towards a distinguished badge to and I never seriously thought that I would. I think that is now a goal. (daughter 1-2, son and wife all have competed) And all of the activities have no need for a phone..... @REI-JohnJThe reason that the memory of pushing the bike for your kid is the best is that being outdoors with your kid isnt about being outdoors. Its about being with your kid.
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