I spend most of the year sleeping under a roof but the nights I spend sleeping in a tent are always among the most memorable. The decompression value I get from camping and hiking is tremendous.

Isnt that the truth.

When I was getting near the end of my Army career, I planned to find a new career out West that would keep me outside. However, I met my wife, had kids and life changed. I love the outdoors and would spend all of my time there if I could. I do as much as I can with my boys in scouts and at work. Being indoors too much and being in large congested cities causes me more stress than bears or any other critter. I am not antisocial, but I do relish in the solitude of the mountains and forests, heck even the swamps and deserts, I love it all. Way back I used to go almost every weekend to the mountains, find a nice mountain top away from people and just sit there for the weekend. My great grandfather, who was full Cherokee, taught me how to observe nature and to respect and love it. I try to pass that on to my children.