By Brian G. Schommer

2020. A year most of us would like to put in the rearview mirror and it is not wrong for any of us to feel we have lost opportunities to do many of the things we enjoy. In my corner of this weekly conglomeration of articles, stories, editorials and advertisements, I want to stay positive which isn’t easy sometimes. I will miss certain things this fall… No Friday Night Lights. I could sit around and sulk about it but I don’t want to get caught up in the negatives that seems to bring everyone down. Like yawning, being a crabby butt (as my daughter calls me sometimes) is contagious. Well, SO is being positive… so turn those frowns upside down and fill the voids left by things that you will miss this fall with different options.

“Options… Like what” you may be saying. Let’s take a little journey around the area centering our attention on the many things we still can do, shall we? Enjoying the great outdoors can be as simple or complex as you wish. We are surrounded with an abundance of opportunities on both sides of the river for short or long adventures and activities.

As the old saying goes, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” The Hastings/Prescott area is blessed with many fine orchards with just about every variety of apple available. The smell of an apple orchard in peak season is wonderful and is not to be outdone by the beauty of all the different kinds of apples dangling from the trees just waiting to be picked. The orchards are not just about the apples though… Add a tractor pulled hay wagon, rows and rows of pumpkins, a corn maze and barnyard animals… you have a few hours of family fun time. Top it off with fresh apple cider and a pie… that’s Sunday Funday here in our parts.

Another great way to enjoy the great outdoors is to take a drive down Highway 61 on the Minnesota side to Wabasha during the changing of the leaves. The colors can be breathtaking all by themselves. The bluff country of the Mississippi River Valley dotted with farmland being harvested is an enhancement that many other areas of the country do not have. A convertible or motorcycle ride on this route is an experience that can only be described as phenomenal. No convertible or bike; open the windows and you will still get the “fresh air” experience. Once in Wabasha, cross the river and drive back on the Wisconsin side. If you want to make a day of it, there are tons of places to stop along the way to get your “foodie” on. There is a ton of photo opportunities, antiquing, beverage sampling and more.

If you have been paying attention to past columns, there is plenty of biking and hiking trails surrounding our area and if you don’t have a bike, check out Port of Hastings Outfitters at www. mypoho.com. Their RAD City eBikes are so cool and can help you get rid of that Covid-19… or 25+. The Cannon Valley Trail through Welch is another spectacular area to check out.

DISCLAIMER: If hunting talk gets your blood pressure going in the wrong direction, skip the next paragraph.

I know that I am not the only one getting a bit anxious about hunting season(s). September 1st will bring shotgun volleys throughout the rural areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin with Mourning Dove opening in both States. As fast as you can pull the trigger, everything from rabbit, squirrel, ducks, geese and pheasant season will be upon us. Fall Turkey hunters will be out in force in October. Who else will be doing double duty and scouting their soon to be occupied deer stands? Hunting and hunters generate billions of dollars of revenue for Minnesota and Wisconsin. Yes, that is a “B” as in more than millions. There is major economic impact and benefits including over 700,000 jobs created nationwide by the hunting industry. Putting the boots on the ground behind a good hunting dog and chasing pheasants is a personal favorite. Sitting in the duck blind awaiting the buzz of fast flying woodies, teal and the occasional greenhead swooping in on our decoys is another adrenaline rush that the fall provides. The snap of twigs, crunching of leaves and a cluck or grunt will bring a turkey or deer hunter to attention like a private in their first day at boot camp. Leaving the hunt successful is a bonus, but for me it’s the entire experience that makes the hunt; success or not. I never hunt alone so I am always in the company of good friends. The opportunity to sit, look and listen to everything surrounding me; nothing better. A non-hunting friend once asked me why I don’t just take a camera with me and capture the moments in photos. My answer was simple… “who eats photographs??”

DISCLAIMER: HUNTING TALK OVER… Tennis, Golf, Pickle Ball anyone?? While I may still be banned due to an alleged incident at the Highway 55 Tennis Courts in 1982; Most of you still have these options. As a baseball guy, how was I to know the object was NOT to hit the ball over the fence? I’m sure the people involved in the pile-up have all healed by now. Have a picnic… Hastings has 37 parks; many equipped with picnic tables and shelters. Freedom Park in Prescott is one of the more awesome parks around. Even though there are things we all would like to be doing this fall, there is plenty for us to help stay positive.

SIDE NOTE: We are still looking for a COLUMN NAME. Journal Outdoors is fitting but it’s more fun if we get some reader input. Our selection committee is still awaiting that PERFECT name. If you have a thought, please send it to [email protected] as well. Deadline for name submissions is September 4, 2020. Get out and enjoy the great outdoors.