I Went to the Woods

While glassing for black bear, I ponder arrogant story tellers, expectations, societal norms, home ownership and putting words to lifestyles.

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The idea of escaping reality is a tricky one because not only do you have to define escape but also reality. I touch on those as well as being alone on hunts and the coming invasion of summer tourists, of which I will be one myself this summer, so I can't be judgmental.

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Great points are often lost thanks to stupidity and anger. From the ethics of hunting contests to committing crimes in the name of human rights, there are always examples of extreme lengths some go when they believe they are wronged. The result, often times, is a loss of point validity and patience for others to listen.

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I lost a steelhead and a crab pot yesterday, so I talk about that as well as the importance of being present and not so caught up in the result. I also talk about why I don't trust gear reviews by customers, but I do trust podcast reviews.

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Derek Meister has been punching his Alaska card since he moved to Ketchikan 7 years ago. In addition to all the typical camping, hiking, kayaking locals do, he has worked on commercial fishing boats. He is the school psychologist at Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District, so we talk the benefits of a community like Ketchikan for student growth, why people choose to come back to Ketchikan, mentoring opportunities, and mindfulness.

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For the past few months I've been listening to the Right to Roam Podcast by four guys from Wyoming. It's not your typical hunting podcast as these guys have biology backgrounds so there's science and facts, not just anecdote, when they get into things. We talk about being good guests, hunting ethics, social norms, earning local status and figuring out the hunting regulations in different states.

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You know when people like quotes because it represents a lifestyle they wish they led, and then you think, 'Wait a minute...is that me?' and you immediately head to the woods or river? In this episode I talk about distraction vs. happiness, getting a specific adventure spot dialed in vs. seeing new territory and personal development.

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I hadn't been on skis since I was a freshman in high school, but my first backcountry touring adventure in Wyomings Medicine Bow National Forest was a success. I learned that it's nothing like anything I've done before, that I'm pretty bad at it, but I got better and really had a good time. I also talk about the best places to offer and the worst. Something like a misery index.

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There's nothing wrong with asking yourself questions...think about why someone might hate hunting, why fly fishing is cruel or why the Alaska Marine Highway is just a luxury. When you digest those points of view you come out with a better understanding of what you believe, you change your world view, or end up really overwhelmed with the level of complexity of the issues. And that the Alaska Marine Highway is vital to Southeast Alaska.

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What makes an expert, and the insanity of the Region V Basketball Tournament. I talk about some of the more notable aspects of athletic travel in southeast Alaska - circling rural airports, malfunctioning runway lights, 2-week trips, diverted flights to Seattle and game socks after six road games.

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