I GO

One of the great things about working for a park district is that the people that work with you often know more than you. This comes in handy when you need some advice or have a question that needs answering. These knowledgeable folks-combined with a credo that reads Conservation, Education, Recreation-come in handy on occasion, most notably in the form of IGO or The Institute of the Great Outdoors. IGO is the park district's version of community education classes. Available for most any subject at some time or another, IGO gives folks who don't know a chance to learn from folks who do. Up until now I've only taken advantage of one IGO course (orienteering) but that will change soon. I just finished signing up for (alcohol) Stove Building, Basic Backpacking and, because my wife says I need to meet more people, a backpacking trip to Oil Creek State Park in Pennsylvania. After too many years of saying I wish I could, I'm taking the initiative to "just do it." And as an added bonus, taking the Oil Creek trip and taking the ADK trip in June will fulfill one of my New Year's resolutions, which was to camp at least twice this year. Now if I can only do the 'lose 50 lbs' one.

Welcome

So I know this guy, right? And he has wanted to go camping out in the woods for the last few years. Only problem is, he just hasn't gone yet. He's no wood noob or anything. As a matter of fact he's been day-hiking for about ten years. First with his dog and then when his dog ran away, by himself. But not much. He really loved that dog and for awhile, hiking without the dog seemed wrong. And then when he did try to hike without the dog, he would see the dog and talk to it. But the dog wasn't there. So he stopped hiking. And now, he needs to hike again. So he's going to. And he's also going to go camping for the first time ever. Follow along with me as I try my hand at the woods.


And you may have noticed, if you've got good vision, the link to the right for the PayPal donations. Well, that's because I'm poor. In my real life I'm a law enforcement park ranger which pays pretty good. But, I live in a house full of women (a female wife, daughter, cat and dog). In fact the only male animals in the house, besides me, are a cat with bladder control problems and a rabbit, both of whom live in cages when no one is around to watch them. I shouldn't have to explain to you why I need help.