The past year has been a hard year for the Open Air Life family. It was definitely a roller coaster ride in our lives. My dad and friend passed away after battling cancer. As many of you might have noticed we have not been publishing much over the past year. We took a break to spend more time with family and friends during this time.
My dad was one of the main reasons that I love the outdoors. At a very young age, he took us kids out into the outdoors. We went hiking and fishing whenever time permitted. I have vivid memories of going up to Yellowstone National Park right after the big fire of 1988. My dad took our family up there to see if there was anything that we could do to help. I can’t recall if we really did do anything to help the park, but I do remember spending all day hiking around and seeing the beauty grow up through the ash.
I think the minute I was able to hold a fishing rod in my hand we were out fishing. I know my dad got his love of fishing from his dad and in turn, passed it on to me. We spent many nights sleeping in the boat on the water. This enabled us to be out fishing bright and early the next morning when the fishing was great. Right up to the end he wanted to go fishing. He bought a new fish finder and we got it installed even though he was getting too weak to climb up the boat. One of my biggest regrets was not able to get him out on the water one last time to try and catch the big one.
I don’t know how many times we went up to Jackson Hole, but it was an annual pilgrimage at least. He loved the Tetons and in turn, I love them as well. I know as a boy he would go hunting with his father, but by the time I was at an age to go hunting, he would rather shoot deer with a camera than a gun. He loved showing us wildlife and the natural beauties of the earth and there are not many places in this world that you can find so much in one location as you can in the Jackson Hole area.
I also remember going snowmobiling when I was a little kid all the way up until I got married. I loved getting into the backcountry in the middle of the winter. I still enjoy doing this, even though most often I do it with a pair of snowshoes instead of snowmobiles. If you have never experienced the backcountry in the winter, I am telling you now that you are missing out.
As I grew my love of the outdoors grew as well. I remember going backpacking and loving it. For the next few birthdays and Christmas’s all I wanted was gear to get into the outdoors. He never disappointed, always finding the newest and best gear to outfit me with. I am sure it is because of him that I started Open Air Life and reviewing outdoor products. I am still in search of the best gear that is made. He was always my biggest supporter when I would go to the Outdoor Retailer show. He always wanted to know what the newest and best pieces of gear that were coming out.
My dad was always supportive of my outdoor adventures, but I must give some credit to my mom as well. When my older brother and I decided that we wanted to start climbing, my parents never tried to stop us. My parents would always tell us to be careful but always told us to have a good time as well. The only two rules I remember was not to climb when it was raining and to be off the mountain before dark. I am definitely the man I am because of them.
I know I told my dad thank you many times for the experiences that he was able to give me, but I want you all to know that my dad was a great man that always wanted others to succeed and find joy in their life. I hope to be able to emulate my dad and help instill a love of the outdoors to my four kids. I don’t know if I am succeeding but I am dragging them out into the outdoors whenever I get a chance.
I am looking forward to the year ahead of me to find new adventures, make new friends and honor my dad by spending time in the outdoors. If your parents are still with us, please pick up the phone, drive to their house or at the very least text them and tell them thanks for all that they have done for you.
We here, at Open Air Life are committed to bringing new content and products reviews to our readers in 2019. So stay tuned over the next coming weeks as we share new ideas and products.