Enhancing your ME time in the Outdoors

Posted on August 15, 2018 by novicesurvivalist

Although the title says Me time, Enhancing anytime in the outdoors is something to consider. How you do this is a personal preference. I personally like to take along some activity I enjoy while outdoors. This ranges from, Cameras, food to be cooked or some reading or listening material. Just depends on my mood or reason for getting outdoors.

Because I have a You tube channel I like to keep it current with regular video posts. These videos range from walkabouts of a favorite area or trail, camping, fly-fishing to a review of some of my favorite equipment I use when out and about.

My age and medical history determine I get regular exercise. For most of us that means the Gym. For me I do not have the time or inclination to go to the Gym. Besides all those young hard bodies out there just make me uncomfortable. Just me, nothing against the younger generation, keeping in shape is a good thing. I learnt my lesson on not doing just that. and at my age, I just need to walk and get the blood flowing. A good long walkabout in the woods not only gets my needed exercise in, but clears my often over charged mind and body. Nature has a way of helping us relax our mind and soul.

Here are a couple of my favorite things to do in the outdoors and the “stuff” I use to enhance my outdoor experiences. Typically on a walkabout.

Coffee, tea or a small meal

Finding a good spot to sit down and relax, a place quiet and away from others for me is the perfect time to have a “cuppa”. Which “cuppa” is determined by season. Summer, fall, spring is typically tea time, Winter is Coffee time. This is for me the easiest choice for enhancement. I get to relax over a good beverage, and get to use some of my favorite outdoor accessories and it keeps me in practice for some basic survival skills.

In my daypack (L.L.Bean Maine Warden Daypack.) I carry certain things at all times on my outdoor adventures. They are part of my survival system or kit for a 72 hour survival unplanned stay for what ever reason, being a mishap or just me planning on staying.

Part of the system (survival kit) is a one burner camp stove, a Bush box pocket stove, canteen with nesting cup and a couple packets of tea and coffee, sugar to enhance my pleasure.

My mood on the particular occasion, as well as time or available resourses determine what I use to heat the water, if there are a lot of small sticks burnable its the bush box. if not, then its the Pocket rocket or Peak one stove. These allow me a quick cuppa and some down time. always a great enhancer on a walkabout.

Part of the system (survival kit) is a one burner camp stove, a Bush box packet stove, canteen with nesting cup and a couple packets of tea and coffee, sugar to enhance my pleasure. My mood on the particular occasion, as well as time or available resourses determine what I use to heat the water, if there are a lot of small sticks burnable its the bush box. if not, then its the Pocket rocket or Peak one stove. These allow me a quick cuppa and some down time. always a great enhancer on a walkabout.

Sometimes when the mood dictates, time of day and some planning and preparation prior to the outing. I will make a small simple meal. My diet limits me to what I can take to cook. typically no meat is involved.

Before leaving I may prepare some goodies such as chopped onion, tomatoes and peppers, along with some spices. I small bag of some sort of pasta, typically a veggie mix, some Parmesan cheese and my meal for the outdoors is set. The meals are typically simple to prepare and all I need is to boil the pasta and quickly grill the onions, tomatoes and peppers ( and garlic). Using the very same setup I use for my cuppa.

Wildlife and photography

This is one of the main reasons I get outdoors. Besides for my much needed exercise. By wildlife I mean all wildlife, from small animals and birds to small flowers, grasses and giant trees.

For me its the little things we so often miss while trudging through the outdoors. I am always on the look out for small things, in the trees or on the ground. They, for some reason fascinate me. I thinks its in the detail I find.

I carry with me 4 things to enhance this extra activity. I do not own a fancy digital camera. But I do own a Samsung Note 8 smart phone. The camera on this is exceptional, and built in software helps me to clean up my poor photo skills on the layout etc.

The other 2 items I carry are a monocular and a smart phone adaptor to attach my Note 8 to the monocular. This allows me to get pictures a little to far away for the use usual zoom on the phone. If you decide to get one a word of advice. get a sturdy tripod. when zooming everything, not just the subject is “zoomed “. That includes any, I mean any camera shake. may a good picture I have taken has been spoilt by my hand shake.

There you have it. my outdoor enhancement kits.

Yes it does mean owning a decent daypack, in which to lug all this around. Ok! truth be told the “stuff” I carry is not heavy. except the tripod which just happens to attach to the out side of my daypack. The food bags and all the other extras ( Survival and nature seeking stuff) are really not that bulky and fit perfectly in my day pack. Choose wisely when getting a daypack and make sure it will hold all you need for your enhanced day outdoors. I have gone through many translon packs to get to the L.L.Bean.

below is a selection of pictures from my outings. Always good to have and look through as a reminder of good times had in the outdoors, and to share and brag about with friends.

Other things to consider when out and about.

Build a temporary shelter. (using natural items or stuff from your survival kit, and remember to undo all you did before leaving)

Get fancy on the meal

Take friends along and each to their own for the meal and then share

Fishing in an out of the way water hole

Make a video and share with friends

Take the time to clean up a favorite area of trash. (Be prepared to carry it out)