| I never considered myself an outdoorsy person | | | | smooth sailing from the start. My very first |
| and certainly not an enthusiast by any means. | | | | Utah outdoor adventure was rather rough. |
| To me, the outdoors epitomized dirt, bugs, | | | | There were too many bugs and creepy crawlers, |
| extreme discomfort, and a myriad of other | | | | it was freezing at night and too hot during |
| unpleasant things. I know this sounds a bit | | | | the day, and no shower for three days was |
| contemptuous but "roughing it" to me meant | | | | quite a shocker. |
| giving to stay in a two star hotel. A cabin? | | | | |
| Highly doubtful. A tent? Absolutely not. | | | | However, the more and more I was exposed to |
| | | | the outdoors, the more I began to enjoy it. |
| Well, that is until I moved to the great | | | | I soon learned not to sweat the small stuff |
| state of Utah. Who knew so much natural | | | | (getting a little dirty, the bugs, etc.) |
| diversity could exist in one single state? | | | | which allowed me to relish in my natural |
| Mountains, desert, lakes, sand dunes, | | | | surroundings. I savored the pristine scenery |
| canyons...you name it, Utah has it. Not to | | | | of the Wasatch Mountains and the stunning |
| mention the beehive state is nature's | | | | desert landscapes in southern Utah. I |
| year-round playground, with world-renowned | | | | learned to wakeboard during our numerous |
| skiing and snowboarding in the winter and an | | | | boating trips to a number of Utah's lakes and |
| abundance of spring and summer activities | | | | reservoirs. Floating the famous Provo River |
| such as boating, backpacking, rock climbing, | | | | was a great way we beat the summer heat. I |
| etc. | | | | even picked up rock climbing, hiking, and |
| | | | mountain biking (all the hours in the gym |
| I began my transition from city damsel to an | | | | were really starting to pay off). |
| active, nature-loving country girl (okay, | | | | |
| maybe not quite) slowly at first but was | | | | As one speaking from experience, I would urge |
| quick to gain a sincere appreciation for the | | | | all of you who aren't big on the nature or |
| natural beauty of the great outdoors. | | | | self-proclaimed outdoor enthusiasts to go |
| | | | outside and enjoy the beautiful natural |
| Not to say the aforementioned transition was | | | | scenery all around you. |