OUTDOOR Adventures The times they are a changin’

By Brian G. Schommer

In the words of Robert Zimmerman, born in Duluth and raised in Hibbing, Minnesota sings that “The Times They Are a-Changin.” If you are confused because while you are familiar with the song, you always thought this was a Bob Dylan song, we are both correct as Dylan was born Robert Allen Zimmerman. Many musicians use “stage names” and the reasons why vary. It could just be that a lot of musicians are a bit “off” in the first place and as a musician, looking no further than my mirror confirms that theory. This song, which is politically charged (which this column is not) was playing on the radio the other day when I was driving back from Prescott to Hastings. I listened to the first verse and while surely not what Dylan intended, it got me thinking about warmer days ahead.

The lyrics begin with “come gather ‘round people wherever you roam and admit that the waters around you have grown.” The verse continues, “and accept it that soon you’ll be drenched to the bone. If your time to you is worth savin’, then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone for the times they are a-changin’.” As I cast a gaze over the iceand snow-covered St. Croix River, my memory jumped back to a much warmer time when a much younger me would spend time with swimmin’ at “Blockers Beach.” As an artist, Dylan would probably not appreciate where his song took me as again, the song is political in nature. One of the great things about music and art in general is that we each have our own perception of any given piece. I am not sure about you, but I have had more than my share of political stuff to last a lifetime. It was nice to just go back to a time where my cares were a lot less than they are now.

It was then that the second verse began, and I had to take a bit of a step back. “Come writers and critics who prophesize with our pen and keep your eyes wide the chance won’t come again.” Maybe Bob did have a special message just for me. I mean, probably not but maybe? As I crossed the bridge, I took these words to mean that indeed, Outdoor Adventures had to include at least a slight dissection of the Bob Dylan classic. The rest of the verse continues, “for the wheel’s still in spin and there’s no tellin’ who that it’s namin’ for the loser now will be later to win, for the times they are a changin’.” Just how would I spin this song into being about Outdoor Adventures? Hold on to your hat’s friends, because here we go.

No matter what outdoor activities you choose to participate in, while some things inherently are the same as days gone by, there are plenty of things that are changing. Snowmobiling for instance has changed significantly from the days of the 1967 Polaris Colt in rider condition that continues to escape my grasp. If you want to be part of remembering the days of the Colt and even further back than 1967, check out the Hastings SnoMos Vintage Ride on Saturday, February 19, 2022. I will provide more information next week and if you are really interested, you can Google the Hastings SnoMos and there is a plethora of information out there. Technology has changed and will continue to change all the various outdoor adventures that are out there. Sometimes, we just need to take some time to reflect on days gone by to appreciate the entire picture that continues to change daily. The landscape of our world today will not be the same in the future. This is a given and one that is pretty much inarguable, despite the fact some will choose to argue. Stop arguing and Get Out and Enjoy the Great Outdoors because, the times they are a changin’.