The Great Outdoors

I have spent my life playing sports and maintaining an active lifestyle.  There are very few things that compare with the exhilaration of enjoying a "perfect" day.  I bet some of you are thinking why I stated it as "perfect"... The reason that I did this was because a perfect day for me all depends on the context of the time of day, time of year and what I am interested in doing on this particular day.

I started playing organized sports when I was 6 years old.  Baseball has been my favorite sport since I was old enough to hold a ball.  I played all the way through until I reached my sophomore year of college at which time I had an arm injury and was never able to throw the ball the way I used to.  Despite this my passion for both baseball and other outdoor activities have not faded.

I am fortunate enough to live in an area where I am surrounded by a wealth of things to do on any particular day.  I live in Wallkill, NY which is about an hour and fifteen minutes outside of New York City and about 20 minutes from the Shawangunk Mountains, which is one of my favorite places in the world.  I enjoy going hiking whenever the weather is optimal.  By optimal I don't necessarily mean sunny and pleasant outside, instead I mean as long as the conditions aren't hazardous I am more than willing to get outside and enjoy myself.  Some of my best outdoor experiences have been when it was either snowing or raining outside.

I do have to mention one thing that I have been a little depressed about, there has been almost no snow this winter aside from the freak snow storm at the end of October which dumped 16.5".  Being an avid skier such I have not been very happy this year with the lack of snow.  Needless to say I opted for not getting new skis this year.  I know it's a little late but if you care enough say a little prayer and pray for some snow I would greatly appreciate it.  The season can still be salvaged... I hope.