Recreation Outside: Sometimes Muddy, Always Worth It
- Tammy Landsiedel
- Jun 26
- 3 min read
When June arrived, I had plans. Big ones. I was going to do all the things—camping, hiking, outdoor adventures, embracing the fresh air like some sort of wild woodland goddess. Spoiler alert: I did about half of that. Maybe less, depending on how generously I count.
But I’ll say this—what I did do, I enjoyed. And sometimes that’s more important than perfectly checking every box on a list that I wrote while full of caffeine and unrealistic expectations.
🌲 So, What Is Outdoor Recreation?
Let’s strip it down to the basics:Outdoor recreation is anything you do outside that isn’t work-related. That’s it. It doesn’t need to involve gear, elevation gain, or Instagrammable views. If you’re outside and it brings you joy, calms your nerves, or gets your legs moving, you’re doing it right.
There’s a myth that recreation has to be glamorous or intense. But let’s be honest: sometimes recreation looks like pulling thistles or watching a goose threaten your existence with its hissy attitude. And that’s valid.
🧹 My Outdoor Wins This Month (AKA: The “I Tried” Chronicles)
✅ Yard Cleanup
You might not think removing thistles, mowing the lawn, and tackling giant rhubarb stalks count as recreation. But I like yard work. There’s something satisfying about making the yard look clean and intentional, even if my dog immediately undoes it with his zoomies. I spent hours out there this month, getting sun on my face and dirt under my nails, and felt more human because of it.
🚐 Camping (Trailer Life, Not Tent Drama)
We’ve managed to get out camping a couple of times this month, and I’m still hoping we’ll squeeze in at least one more trip before June takes off. Now, to be clear, we don’t tent it. We camp with a trailer because I like the outdoors, but I also like having a proper bed, a working toilet, and the ability to make coffee without summoning fire.
There’s something incredibly grounding about parking the trailer somewhere peaceful, breathing fresh air, and just… being. I love sitting outside, watching the trees sway, listening to the birds and chipmunks bicker, and letting the rhythm of nature reset my head.
And no—I’m not a big s’more person. I know, I know, that’s basically camping blasphemy. But they’re high sugar and frankly not that exciting. I’d rather have a nice cup of something warm and a snack that doesn’t glue itself to the roof of my mouth. My idea of indulgence is peace and quiet with a view, not marshmallow chaos.
🐦 Backyard Birdwatching
My daughter’s house is just outside town, and her backyard overlooks a pond. That pond? It's basically an outdoor soap opera starring:
Yellow-headed Blackbirds
Red-winged Blackbirds
Mallards and Buffleheads
Cranes (yes, actual cranes!)
The ever-dramatic Canada Goose (a.k.a. Cobra Chicken)
Pack rats
And even goats from a nearby yard who are absolute chaos on hooves.
We’ve spent hours—my grandbaby, my daughter, and I—watching, listening, and Googling bird species while sipping smoothies on the deck. I call that quality time and nature appreciation.
🦌 Wildlife While Camping
On our camping trips, we’ve been lucky to spot all kinds of wild things:Ravens, white-tailed deer, crows, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, otters, a beaver, whiskey jacks, and even a precious little pika that made me squeal like a child. That kind of spontaneous delight? That's the whole point.
🥾 Plans Still on the Horizon
Have I gone on that big summer hike yet? No.Did I make it to the zoo, Heritage Park, Granary Road? Also no.But you know what? The weather was chaos and life was busy. And that’s okay.
There’s still time. Summer isn’t over yet. I’m holding space for those plans because they can still happen. Recreation isn’t a checklist. It’s a mindset, and sometimes just getting outside for 20 minutes between storms counts.
🌦️ Real Talk: Outdoor Recreation Isn’t Always Picture-Perfect
Sometimes outdoor recreation is:
Being chased by a wasp while holding a sandwich.
Forgetting sunscreen and becoming a patchy tomato.
Realizing halfway through your walk that your socks are giving you blisters.
And yet? It still resets your brain. It still reconnects you to something bigger.Even when your plans go sideways and your jeans get muddy.
💭 Final Thought
I didn’t get to all the things this month. But I got to some, and I made memories while doing them. I spent time outdoors—sometimes sweaty, sometimes soggy, sometimes swatting mosquitoes—but I spent it.
So here’s to outdoor recreation in all its messy, beautiful forms. Whether you’re camping, gardening, watching birds, or just standing barefoot on your lawn for five minutes of peace, you’re doing it. Keep going.
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