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)
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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
Renting vs. Buying Equipment
When renting, there are no long conversations with your spouse about how much all that dust-collecting gear cost and where you’ll be storing it!
How to Carry Your Kayak
My 14.5ft Touring Yak at 50 pounds is a beast to load. For that reason alone, I started looking for an alternate solution.
Camping Hillsborough River State Park
Is this the right place for you? Review, Video & Photos for Camping Hillsborough River State Park
Morsel Spork
It’s been six weeks, 10 rides (4 on my Cross and 6 on my MTB) just over 100 miles – and now a small but expensive problem has cropped up! Are the SIDI Carbon Dragon 3 MTB Shoes worth all the hype?
Video: What’s in your backyard?
Video: Golden Aster Scrub Nature Preserve is just 2.9 miles from the house, this is an excellent place to get away from the hustle.
Biking & Kayaking at Cypress Glen
Named one of the “10 Coolest Places You’ve Never Been in North America” by the World Wildlife Fund, Withlacoochee State Forest is a haven for the outdoor enthusiast. Activities include miles of trails for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding and canoeing.
Braking, Where is the Power?
Braking is not as simple as it would seem. For the road bike rider, it is pretty straight forward, and I would side with those that prefer the front brake. However, some may be still undecided on the mountain bike.
Trekking Poles
When moving downhill, there is a large amount of pressure on the knees as they help the body slow its descent – Trekking Poles can effectively act as brakes.
Cooking at the Barn: Episode 1
If you are new to camping or just bored of the same old hot dogs and love cooking outdoors, then I will show you some tips & tricks to elevate simple meals and foods; I’ll make cooking easier, teach you how to control the flame, and heat on these small cook-sets.
2-4 Budget Friendly Person Camping Tent
This Budget Friendly, Tunnel Dome-Style Tent has two separate rooms big enough for a queen mattress and all your gear!
Choosing a Stand Up Paddle Board for Beginners
Stability is a function of how much side to side motion and rocking you have when standing upright on the board and what amount of flotation the board has with your body weight balanced.
NRS Kinetic Water Shoes
I have tried several inexpensive shoes, but they just didn’t work all that well out of the kayak. Enter the NRS Kinetic!
Winter Cycling Pants
Review: Sobike NENK Winter Cycling Pants With temps in the mid 20’s I had the opportunity to try out a pair of Sobike NENK Winter Cycling Pants. It is often I get goodies in the mail and I look at them and say, hmmm… I don’t think so? But not this time!
