A glorious view!

Climbing the steep path we scratched and clawed our way through the thorny underbrush, we clamored over monstrous boulders and then forged the raging river. Finally, after three straight days without food, water or sleep we reached the summit. Yeah, right!



Too often nature is portrayed as an enemy we must conquer, rather than a beautiful friend we can spend time with and enjoy.

Many nature areas designed for public use offer activities for people with all levels of outdoor experience. This glorious view was photographed at Big Bend National Park on the
Rio Grande Village Nature Trail. The trailhead is easy to access by vehicle and is ¾ mile long with some elevation.



In all honesty, most of my outdoor “adventures” are basically just that… getting outdoors. The hardest step usually is that first step out the front door. Even in my book Big Bend is out in the middle of nowhere, but you might be surprised how many outdoor recreation areas are close to your home.

Any outdoor excursion, long or short, should be treated with a healthy amount of respect. Be safety minded and take general precautions such as checking the oil, tire pressure and spare tire of your car.

If you plan on walking or hiking, make sure you have plenty of water, food, sunscreen and adequate footwear. ALWAYS watch where you step, stand, touch or sit. Simply use your common sense to stay aware of your surroundings and you should be good to go!