Hi all,

I was at my parents house in Southern Ontario this past weekend and the visit brought back memories of my childhood.

I got to thinking about the activities I did as a kid and how it has directed my life as an adult. I grew up in a very outdoors oriented family and was frequently exposed to many family adventures.

I was and still am an avid reader of books (including the internet now) and realized that my first survival inspiration came from a favourite book I read when I was 10 years old. It was titled "Lost in the Barrens" (also called "Two Against the North") written by Farley Mowat. This is the story of 2 lost teenagers surviving through the winter in the artic, it was followed by other books in the series and movies (but I think the original book was the best).

My now teenage son also read this book when he was about 10 years old and enjoyed it, a bit surprising in today's fast paced society.

So my question is, "What was your first inspiration to become involved in survival or preparedness"?

MIKE