I am The Outdoor Guy. I didn't win a contest to get this name or lobby for the right to own it. I assumed the title. I doubt anyone will ever be able to take it away from me. No matter what happens, I will always be The Outdoor Guy - in my own mind. However, it is possible others won't agree with me on this topic. Let me explain why I am convinced I am The Outdoor Guy.

My childhood of scouting, bike riding, hanging around the cemetery at night and playing baseball equipped me with complete comfort whenever I was outside. As a youngster, I was always outdoors, always sun-burnt and for some reason my night vision was creepy good. I was more comfortable camping, fishing and star gazing than I was watching television or playing around the neighborhood. I remember showing my friends how to use a telescope when I was only twelve years old. For the first time, we all saw the moons of Jupiter. As time passed, I drifted away from those who spent their time going to movies and shopping. I was at home in the woods and spent countless hours walking alongside the creeks, lakes and rivers. There was a time in my teens when I swear the mosquitoes left me alone. Looking back I doubt it, but I recall a three year period when I didn't get a single insect bite - pretty impressive in Ohio.

I entered the United State Marine Corps and found myself at home on military excursions and cruises. I remember how I guarded trucks on the top deck of a ship in the North Sea - how crazy is that - and how I nearly wept when I first saw the Northern Lights. I volunteered for as much outdoor duty as I could. Everyone thought I was strange, but I thought being indoors was even stranger.

Life passed and I found myself making up excuses to be anywhe

re off of the pavement. I became a hunter, I picked up geocaching and I found that I couldn't hike enough. I really, really, really liked being outdoors. I've found outdoor companions in my wife and our two Labrador retrievers. We all feed off each other's zest for fresh air. I even started my own outdoor business. While it is product sales that pay the bills, it's helping others find their own outdoor passion that provides me with the real rewards. I don't know everything about outdoor recreation, but I know enough to thoroughly enjoy every minute doing it and I can't wait to share it with others.

A person with the moniker of The Outdoor Guy should be someone who inspires others to wonder about their own outdoor life and someone who nudges them to pursue it. Welcome to my world.

Use this information and you'll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!

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