Every now and then I think back to the trip that flipped a switch. The one where outdoors went from something I did to something I needed. For us it was a stretch up in the Blue Ridge a few years back. What was the trip that did it for you?

We were crawling along a ledge over pitch-black cave water, and the only thing between us and a really bad day was a headlamp. Don't think I'll ever leave that one behind. What's the one prep item you never skip, no matter how short the trip?

Found this old photo of me holding up a flounder I caught off the boat. Couldn't have been more than 10. Don't fish much these days but the memory still sticks. What was your first catch?

Hiking was never something I really enjoyed because I felt like it was too slow and boring. Until I went through marathon training. I learned to lean into the quiet moments and the time spent in thought. What kind of hikes do you like best?

Hard to wait till the weekend sometimes. Lately I've been going outside for a quick walk after lunch or after work, just enough to reset before the next thing on the to do list. Anyone else have a midweek outdoors routine?