If you look at the byline, you’re well aware that I’m a Chicago suburbanite. I played indoor sports for the most part and the closest that I’ve gotten to being an outdoorsy-type is when I’m on the ninth hole in the middle of July or the handful of times that I went to Bonnaroo.
Outside is great. I love it. But man, I have no idea what I’m doing out there by myself. And I don’t mean boating or hanging out at a beach. I mean hiking or mountain biking or other serious outdoor activities.
It’s not that I don’t want to do those activities, either. I really don’t know what I’m doing. The fear is that I’d end up like that guy in the movie that got stuck in the rock for a few days.
Fortunately for me, Champaign Surplus is presenting the Outdoor You series. It’s a speaker series that’s geared towards outdoor recreation and and environmental sustainability and it’s for people like me. It’s not a class, it’s not a straight up lecture about the rules of hiking, it’s an opportunity for those who are experienced with outdoor recreation to share their experiences with those who could use a little more.
The next event is Thursday at 6 p.m., and it features a talk with TauSpotting about hiking for beginners.
