Why do I like the outdoors?

I recently found myself wondering why I like the outdoors so much. Is it the fresh air? The peacefullness? It made me think back on my past outdoor experiences and try to decide why I did. I remember seeing a picture from when I was still a toddler of me being carried by my father on the back of what looked to be a extremely uncomfortable backpack, I guess that is where it all started. From then on I was hiking and backpacking in the summer and cross country skiing in the winter before I even knew how to ride a bike. Like any small child I despised these long forced marches up and down mountians, these grueling hikes that felt like the eco-challenge, but really lasted only a couple miles. Then it all changed in the vastness of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Hiking up and down those dunes was the coolest thing I had ever seen; but what really made me fall in love with the outdoors is running. I started running cross country at age 13 and haven't stopped running yet (or ever will). I will run all day long (and have) as long as I'm outside. Maybe I'm a endorphin addict or something, only a few things have come close to the sense of calmness or rightness that I have felt on mile 20 of a marathon. Getting back to the outdoors thing. When I joined the Air Force and got stationed up in the wasteland known as Minot, North Dakota, I realized how much the mountains and the outdoors in general meant to me. Sometimes you have to lose what you love for you to really appreciate it. Everytime I went home was so awesome to me, I was like MOUNTAINS!!! YEAH!!!, truely I did. Now living in Idaho I can find some of the most beautiful scenery and best outdoor activities that this worldly adventurer has found anywhere. Idaho is definately the best place I have ever lived. Thank you Mother Nature for making some cool stuff.

SilverCreek of Idaho

As of yesterday, Amie and I have known each other for over a year now. I love having her in my life, and am extremely happy to have been with her for so long. It really is quite amazing to be in a happy relationship for such a long time period. I've not known it to exist until this point. I guess everybody has theirs.

We spent the day hiking around one of the most beautiful and unique areas of Idaho (I say that about every place in Idaho). The Silver Creek is one of the best remaining examples of a high desert, cold spring ecosystem in the western United States. There are Dozens of springs that percolate up from an aquifer and merge to form Silver Creek. The waters of the Silver Creek are very alkaline and nutrient-rich. There are tons of insects and a very high density of brown and rainbow trout (about 5,000 trout per mile!). Not to mention it is absolutely gorgeous and peaceful. When I go to this place, I want to do nothing more than just be with nature. The Nature Conservancy has done some amazing things with the Silver Creek, and you should definitely check them out if you are interested in learning more about the area.

Travee on Idaho

Hi! My name is travee. I was born in Moritz hospital, Sun Valley, Idaho on August 4, 1979. I grew up 15 miles south of that hospital in the towns of Bellevue and Hailey. I always had fun as a child going down to the river from my house. I used to think that was so cool that I could just walk right out my back door, walk 200 yards down a path, and boom!!! be right there at the river, where adventure was and still is endless.

Of course, there was that point of adolecence where I caught myself saying, "I hate this place. Its so boring. There aren't enough people. Theres nothing to do." I realized about 3 years later what my problem was. I just wasn't looking for anything to do!! So I decided to do something about that. One day, my friend Ben asked me, "hey you want to go on a hike?" And I said "yeah!! How long of a hike??" He said "oh, about three days!!" WOAH!! I never thought I would want to do something like this, but I did and I loved it!! These places I saw were so timeless. The greatest feeling to me in this backcountry in Idaho, is that not many people know about it. Or would even want to explore it. Well, to those people I say, you are seriously missing out. There aren't many places left like this where you can just walk up any trail and see some amazing views. I can drive five minutes from my house and be in the woods!! I can fish anywhere I find water, and probably catch a few trout.

These days my favorite sport in Idaho in the summer is mountian biking. The trails here in the Sun Valley area are endless. There is not enough time in one season to enjoy all the trails I love riding In the winter I enjoy snowmobiling. Endless fields of powder await me this winter in Fairfield. I can't wait!! I may even take up snowboarding once I stop being such a wuss!! And thats what I love about Idaho!!

So for anyone thinking about traveling here for an escape from routine and other insanity, let me tell you Idaho is a perfect escaping destination. From great folks to fun places, sure am glad to be a native of this great state!!

The Good Life

Idaho does indeed rock! I also live in Fairfield, and enjoy the tranquility of rural, clean, mountainous America. Every morning I wake up and enjoy the smell, and taste of pure mountain air. I work at a desk all day, so being so close to endless "out-door" recreation is very important for me. I have two children, Alaylia, and Quinton, who are both loved, and well mentored by my lovely wife Amanda. We have two yellow labs, Aspen, and Willow, who both enjoy Idaho as much as the rest of the family. (maybe more ;) ) I am an avid snow-sport enthusiast, and enjoy hiking, backpacking, and fishing during the pleasant summer months. I know that I truly live "The Good Life", and am grateful to enjoy the luxury of Central Idaho!