OUTDOOR Adventures

BY BRIAN G. SCHOMMER

“That last drive was fantastic,” the sportscaster said after the Vikings recent victory where with two minutes and twenty-nine seconds left in the game, Kirk Cousins pushed his way behind the offensive line into the endzone for a one-yard touchdown that put the purple into the lead. The two-point conversion pass to Justin Jefferson gave the Vikings a 29-22 lead, which would be the final score. The comment heard on the radio was during a program called Vikings Postgame which illustrates the game was over (thank you Captain Obvious). I was currently driving from watching the game with friends and family to pick up a few needs from the store and thought about that comment as I looked around. “This drive is fantastic,” I thought to myself. What was in front of me was a mix of red, orange, yellow, brown, and some lingering green creating stunning views along the path of a gorgeous fall afternoon. As we turned into the big box store from the alternate entrance behind the facility, I noticed a large group of Canadian Geese gathered at the east end of the ponding basin going about their business. For them, it was just what they do but for me, it was another ever so slight reminder of just how awesome the views and experiences of the seasons are in our neck of the woods. We are truly blessed to experience the vast differences in the seasons we are provided daily. Even on a routine trip to the store, it is all there for us. How we utilize the things we are given in life is up to us. At church that same morning, the pastor spoke about how so many in our world live their lives in an entitled manner. It was a reminder to me that nothing in this life is a given. What we are given may also be taken away at any time without warning. We think we have control, and the fact is, we only have control over the things we have control over… and that is not always that much. While I am currently able to drive and literally see the world in front of me, we know that this and more could cease immediately. So, that drive (to the store) was fantastic. I would like to think that none of us are on our last drive, and if we are, we have very little if any control. With the changes in scenery that are in front of us on a minute-by-minute basis, I encourage you to take that drive, or walk if you don’t drive, and experience the beauty. If walking is not an ability that is afforded to you any longer, find someone to take you for a walk or drive. If you don’t know anyone… give me a shout. If I am unable to do so due to schedule, I know for fact that I will be able to find someone willing. It is kind of like those geese hanging out behind the store. Each goose has a job to do for the flock. Some are on lookout for predators and if they feel the flock is in danger of attack, their job is to alert the others and then make a hightailed effort to fly to safer grounds. It was obvious that the flock did not feel our presence in the vehicle put them in harms way of any kind as again, they just went about their way as they would at any other time. Should I have stopped the vehicle to snap a picture or two, they may have gone on a bit of alert. If I would advance towards them, they would move on. It has often occurred to me that us humans could learn a lot from geese and, from things like the changing of the seasons. In essence, I guess many of us do learn from these things, we just don’t think about them as much maybe. Or maybe we don’t think about them as much as we should? Maybe? In the time since I have started writing this column, I have been distracted several times by things outside my window. Things like a few leaves falling from the trees to the ground, reminding me that my yardwork is not yet done. Things like cars driving by and I wonder, are they looking at the changes around them and thinking, “man, this is so awesome.” Most likely, they are not. Seeing a squirrel run across the street and start digging a hole to place his bounty was another one that reminded me, I have some groceries to get later today. We all have distractions in our lives that may take away from our focus on just how blessed we are. The blessings are ours for now. The truth is, there could be a foot of snow on the ground tomorrow and that “last drive” of taking in the fall colors could be gone until next year… so TAKE IT while you are able. Might I even encourage you to SHARE IT with others. If there would be a foot of snow on the ground tomorrow, the guarantee is there are people who would love that as well. I might be one of them, although I have not taken the time to get the Polaris up and ready for another hopeful season of snowmobiling. I guess another type of drive always awaits us, until it doesn’t. Take the time my friends… make the time AND… Get Out and Enjoy the Great Outdoors.