I’m not real big on spending time outdoors, especially if it means sleeping with spiders in a tent, slapping mosquitoes the size of aircraft carriers, and using tree leaves for toilet paper. (Ew.)
Steve, on the other hand, earned his Eagle Scout at the age of thirteen which required him to do a lot outdoorsy stuff. This included roasting small woodland creatures over campfires, killing a chicken, camping in snow, and having contests with his Boy Scout buddies to find out who could throw a can of Spam the furthest into the woods.
Note: Even to this very day, Steve still hates Spam, although I did slip some into a casserole once and didn’t tell him until after he had eaten it. I’m sad to say that he still hasn’t completely recovered from the Inadvertent Spam-Eating Trauma that I caused him.
But anyway, even though quite a few years have passed since Steve’s Boy Scout days, you could still give him a match, a compass, and a piece of wire, and he could live quite happily in the woods for days on end.
However. If you were to give me a match and a compass and a piece of wire? Well, I would just walk into my house, put the items in a drawer, and eat a brownie.
Because if God had meant for us to go camping, He would have created a tree that grows Charmin.
I’m just sayin’.
But having said all of that, I have to add this. Since we moved to Manteo 2 1/2 years ago, I have gained a new appreciation for the outdoors, especially when being outdoors means riding a bike along a meandering path, feeling the breeze in my hair, and gazing at the loveliest sorts of vistas–all from a safe (and comfy) distance. I especially adore riding in the early mornings when the world smells new, and the day feels eternal.
And so here are a few shots of some outdoor scenes that Ilove. (No match or compass required.)
I know I should appreciate all the loveliness that surrounds me right where I live (you know, the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side of the fence), but you pictures make me want to move where you are and spend my days with my camera (like my every day responsibilities would not follow me!).
Wonderful pictures Becky! Now I need to get out in my own “backyard” and find my own loveliness.
Leigh Anne
Leigh Anne,
Love your line about needing to find loveliness in your own backyard. If there’s anything I learned after 16 years of traveling full time around the country is that loveliness truly does exist everywhere; I love the fact that you and I can take our cameras anywhere and find something worth shooting.
Thanks for your compliments on my pictures; I so love doing it!
Gorgeous pictures!
Gayle in AL
Gayle,
Thanks! Happy you like them!
Such lovely pictures. Thanks.
Ann,
They’re a joy to take a joy to share!
so beautiful, I am sure some days you just want to pinch yourself! Have you been up to Corolla yet to see the wild horses on the beach? They are so beautiful and make wonderful picture taking ( I swear they pose for your camera)
Cindy,
Yes, we did go to see the horses a couple years ago; it was an incredible experience! Becky Smith smithellaneous.com
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Subject: [smithellaneous] Re: The Non-Outdoor Lover’s Guide To The Outdoors
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