OUTDOOR Adventures

By Brian G. Schommer

Like many things in life, completing a project is often just as difficult as starting the project. In the world of a columnist, deciding on topic matter often presents a bit of an issue, especially with a deadline looming. Part of me wants to write about the upcoming ice fishing season and offer my “better safe than sorry” advice to those I saw out on the lake the other day. Another part of me wants to chatter about the observations made during Gobblegait on Thanksgiving morning and yet, another part of me wants to elaborate on decorating the house at Christmas time. It is not really writers block that I am experiencing, it is more of an over stimulated mind. So, I guess it will be just like how most of us handle leftovers from the Thanksgiving feast… it’s going to be a little of this and that for this week. We can call it an “outdoor stew.”

Fact. There is ice on the lakes. Fact. First ice often provides some excellent ice fishing experiences. Fact. The ice is thin and unstable. Fact. Thin and unstable ice is not the best for walking on. I could go further with the facts, but I think you can figure out where I am going here. My Vexilar, Ion Auger and Fishing 13 Tickle sticks are just as anxious to start chasing Walleyes, Saugers, Northern Pike, and Panfish as anyone’s gear that has been stored in the garage since March. People are going to do what people are going to do, no matter how many words of advice are given to them. The unseasonably warm weather we have had made for a great morning for Gobble Gait 2022 and a couple days later, the Holiday Hoopla in downtown Hastings was awesome. Ice fishing… not so much. Ice fishing is a fantastic way to have outdoor adventures during the colder months. I hope to share several experiences during the next few months with the readers of this column. To insure this happens, I will stay off the ice until I know that it can support me. Be safe. Be smart.

Speaking of Gobble Gait 2022, that unseasonably warm weather was welcomed by thousands of people that came together from near and far to celebrate a Thanksgiving tradition that has now been going on for 25 years strong. As we parked the car a few blocks from downtown, we could hear the music pumping over the PA system loud and clear. The energy was building, and you could feel that “something special” was going to happen. Then, it happened. As Ben Utecht began to sing, the crowd noise began to subside until all you could hear was an incredible voice crooning the National Anthem and all eyes were on the huge flag being flown from a firetruck. It was as beautiful of a moment as I had been a part of in a long time. As Ben finished “the home of the brave,” the crowd erupted in cheers, the 8K and 2K races began and you could feel an abundance of positivity, thankfulness, joy, and just about any other positive emotion one could think of. What a fantastic way to start out the one day a year we set aside to be thankful. As we turned back on to 2nd Street for the homestretch of the 2K, I decided to make every day be thanksgiving, minus the turkey and stuffing. This might be something you want to try. In the morning, when you wake up, remind yourself of a few things that you are thankful for. During the day, if there are a few folks in your life that you are thankful for, let them know. Before you go to sleep, remind yourself again of a few more things that you are thankful for. Something special happens every day if we let it.

Like last week when I was up on the roof hanging outdoor lights. I was grumbling a bit because putting up gutter lights was something we decided not to do this year, until it was decided that we were going to do it. I am not a big fan of change of plans, especially when the change of plans creates additional workload. The final display is quite festive, and it got me to thinking. Why do people decorate the outside of their homes for the holidays. Is it to say, “hey, look at my house, isn’t it awesome” or is it more “I hope that our house helps spread cheer and happiness during this time of the year.” I am guessing a little bit of both, but for me, it really is much more about the second part. This time of the year can be tough for some folks and hopefully, the lights, air blown characters, and such will bring smiles to peoples faces. Talk about outdoor adventures, grab a few friends, a thermos of hot chocolate, turn on some Christmas music (we can do that now, it is after Thanksgiving) and go check out the lights all around town. Build some fun memories and who knows, maybe even a few “something special” moments will happen. Now Get Out and Enjoy the Great Outdoors.