Outdoor Adventure

Stories of adventure through the eyes of the young and naive

Oregon Coast

Art, Outdoor Adventure

Medium: Watercolor

Materials: Winsor & Newton paints on Arches 140lb cold pressed block

Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters was highlighted on our map as a “must visit” coffee spot during our Pacific Northwest road trip. Apparently, the coffee shop only operates a few days a week. That day was not one of those days. We drove off long-faced to find a piece of coastline where we could sulk for a few minutes and we found Cannon Beach (painted above and pictured below).

The source photo was taken around noon, when the lighting doesn’t do much for the scene. The painting is what I imagine the beach to look like later in the day – a couple of sandpipers might have come down later to look for sand crabs.

Nature at My Doorstep

Life Balance, New Jersey, Outdoor Adventure

The chance to go play in the outdoors has eluded me over past couple of weeks. To be honest, I haven’t really been getting after it. I’ve been lucky enough to plan a couple of overnight backpacking trips with some friends not long ago.  The trips went well and good times were had by all.

But, sometimes the outdoorsman doesn’t get outdoors; and it is always sad. So, I decided to bring the outdoors to my apartment.  There are several ways to make that possible. The most common way – call your local cable provider and ask for NAT GEO WILD. FYI, if you can’t get a hold of me this week, I’m alright, I’m just watching Big Cat Week on NAT GEO WILD. The other way to enjoy nature while trapped indoors is to try to lure nature to come to you – grandma style!

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Algonquin Park

Outdoor Adventure

Walking a thin line between heaven and earth

I was about 11 years old and I remember watching “Charles in Charge” when the show cut to a commercial break. A calm clear lake and a heavy morning fog just starting to lift off the surface of the water; a giant fish breaks the surface of the lake and takes the bait, a fisherman’s silhouette sets the hook, and bright colored leaves fall from the trees. The words, “ONTARIO – YOURS TO DISCOVER” (or something like that) shimmers across the TV screen to end the commercial. At that point, if Charles decided to go on a marijuana smoking binge with Buddy and the rest of the kids he mentors, I wouldn’t have cared or noticed. I was so captivated by the commercial that I went spiraling into a day dream of my own Canadian adventures.

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A Cure for Video Games

Outdoor Adventure

A classic evening on Lake Arrowhead

It all started on Lake Arrowhead, in Pennsylvania. I had just finished 3rd grade and I couldn’t believe summer was finally here. My friend invited me to spend a couple of weeks on the lake with him and his grandpa. Boy was I excited! I showed up at the lake wearing a big cheese grin on my face. I was all geared up for a week in front of the TV.  “Where did you guys hide the Nintendo?” I asked.

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Hike of the Week: The Black River

Hike of the Week, New Jersey, Outdoor Adventure

Cooper Mill

Located in Chester, NJ this hike will take you along the black river, on trails, farm roads, and carriage roads. This place has a ton of history. You can almost smell the bread and cornmeal when you visit the Cooper Mill, found at the beginning (or end) of the hike.

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