LIVING THE DREAM
LIVING THE DREAM
The Outdoor Life signifies a culture of men and women whose souls are restless and ache for a glimpse of sunshine & fresh air. I am the Average Joe living The Outdoor Life one day at a time. Waiting and planning for that next adventure. I am an avid cyclist, kayaker, surfer, hiker, backpacker, camper, swimmer, equestrian, hunter, fisherman, and photographer. However, it’s not about the activity; it’s about the adventures I experience during these activities. For me, The Outdoor Life is not something I do; it’s something I live!
This website started as “My Life on Two Wheels,” and as I progressed into different activities, I believe it is only right to give them the respect they deserve. With over 30 years of professional and recreational experience, I love being able to pass along information about great companies that fit into an outdoor lifestyle. I have hands-on experience with every product posted here. Companies send me products to test and others are products I feel can benefit my outdoors needs. However, it’s not all about product reviews! You’ll find information on different places to go, rides I have ridden, rivers I have floated and my experiences at each. I’ll show you how to get things done and on the cheap. You’ll watch as I succeed and fail, laugh and cry–but remember it’s about the adventure and the smile you come away with!
Thank you, Amanda, for putting up with my obsessed need to be free in the outdoors! You are the love of my life and will always be my 1st obsession!
(totals form multiple accounts)
Get the full scoop on Chris, just click >>
Featured Videos
Cooking at the Barn
Episode I Dinner & Dessert
Elevate dehydrated meals with this simple technique.
Cooking at the Barn
Episode II Breakfast
with Mountain House, Toaks, JetBoil & Snow Peak
Most Recent Posts
Most Resent Posts
Inspiration to Ride
I have a restless soul, and the prescribed treatment is “Get Outdoors”! It’s always been that way, since the time I was a kid playing and “camping” in a fort I built in the backwoods of Texas by flowing creek, to surfing the beaches of Southern California to packing horses on the backcountry of the Colorado mountains.
Video: DashWare – Using Chroma Keying for a Gauges
This is a short crude demo on how I apply a chroma keying to a DashWare video to get a Gauges Only clip I can import into my master project and edit in Adobe Premiere.
Not cool!
As we deal with all the rain and the upcoming winter the trials tend to become muddy. I am seeing an alarming amount of fat bike photos tearing up the trails all over the Internet!
Zwift – a new way of indoor cycle training.
Winter is here and while here in Colorado we have been experiencing some great weather days, sometimes it’s still difficult to get out and ride.
To Strava or not to Strava?
With all the negative connotations that Strava can bring, some folks have been looking at other solutions. In the Strava threads, cyclists state that they would entertain a different solution.
Protecting Our Right to Bike
We all know that I am an advocate for protecting our right to bike in Colorado Springs for both on road and off. With a deep appreciation and passion, can be fairly outspoken at times.
Video: Homeless Camps
After watching the KRDO13 clip, I was curious to know why the city’s hands were tied – it didn’t make sense to me. I contacted Aimee Cox (Community Development Manager for Colorado Springs) and spent an hour on the phone with her.
Training Partner
Knowing that in 6 weeks I will be pulling a loaded trailer up in the Colorado Mountains for my overnight trip, I thought that it would probably be a good time to start getting used to having a trailer io the back of my bike.
Stoned in Colorado
Recently I went to a local bike shop here on the south side of town and as soon as I walked in the doors the odor was so overwhelming it upset my stomach.
Understanding Ocean Tides & Current
This is a must know for any kayaker thinking about heading out into the ocean! Knowing how tides & currents affect your ability to paddle can make your adventure an awesome one, or completely ruin your day, even put you into grave danger!
Kayaking with Dogs
Kayaking with Dogs Taking your canine companion with you on the water. Some may think these two can't be combined, but yes, it is absolutely possible to kayak with your dog. Not all dogs are going to want to go kayaking. Some dogs do not enjoy the water or may be...
Paddle Boarding, wait, what?
Ideas, Examples, Lists and Considerations for your first overnight kayaking camping trip. There’s enough information to get your head wrapped around what you’ll need.
Get Out and Go Camping
When was the last time you were camping? Been a while, right? Now that the world has shut down and we are told to “Social Distance” ourselves, what are we to do and what is the best way to do it…hmm…stay cooped in the house for the next 30 days binge-watching TV, I think NOT!
