| As a young person you were fascinated by the | | | | Another great way to experience the outdoors is |
| articles in National Geographic magazine and you | | | | kayaking. When the term kayaking is used, many |
| yearned to be like the individuals in the articles. Even | | | | immediately think of fast rushing water , navigating |
| now, as you are older, you enjoy watching Discovery | | | | large boulders and the heart stopping adrenaline rush |
| channel and Animal Planet and secretly wish you | | | | of white water kayaking. Kayaking is not however |
| were one of the characters in the show, taking part | | | | only white water, there are many slow moving rivers, |
| in an outdoor adventure. Despite these desires you | | | | large lakes and sheltered bays where a pleasurable |
| never seem to have the outdoor adventures you | | | | morning or afternoon can be spent paddling. In most |
| yearn for. | | | | areas where there is a sizable body of water, local |
| Limited finances, pressures of work, family | | | | kayak shops or outfitters can be found. These kayak |
| responsibilities are the reasons you give yourself for | | | | shops will often have boats available for rental and |
| not being able to explore the outdoors. None of | | | | sometimes organize kayaking expeditions on |
| these should be reasons to prevent you from | | | | weekends. |
| uncovering the outdoor adventurer that lies within | | | | Some individuals are scared of kayaks because they |
| you. Instead of seeking the big adventure you can | | | | have never used them. Learning the basics of |
| have a series of small outdoor adventures that will | | | | kayaking is however very simple and can be done |
| help fulfill the yearning for adventure. | | | | with a few minutes of instruction. Once the basics |
| The question some may ask is where and how do I | | | | have been learned and equipped with a personal |
| experience these smaller adventures. The opportunity | | | | flotation device (life jacket) an entire realm of nature |
| for an outdoor adventure exists in every location. | | | | viewing is opened up along streams, in ponds and in |
| Every locality usually has a local hiking club and the | | | | sheltered bays. |
| majority of these clubs are usually happy to have | | | | An overnight or weekend camping trip is yet another |
| non-members along for a small fee. In addition to | | | | opportunity for the outdoor enthusiast to awaken |
| hiking clubs there is sometimes a local field naturalist | | | | that adventurous spirit. You may think that camping |
| club that organises field trips that non-members can | | | | requires having plenty of camping equipment, but |
| participate in. Hiking is a good way to experience | | | | that is not applicable in every situation. A very good |
| nature and at the same time provide the body with | | | | article, Surviving Camping Equipment Overload - How |
| valuable exercise. Some people may think that the | | | | to Manage on a Small Budget, can be found at the |
| years of sitting in front of the television will prevent | | | | Outdoors Trinidad web site. A camping trip is also an |
| them from undertaking the rigors of a strenuous hike. | | | | opportunity to have other family members participate |
| Most hiking clubs rate their hikes with a scale ranging | | | | in your outdoor adventure. |
| from Easy to Challenging. You can start with the | | | | Another opportunity for having family members |
| easy hikes and over time build to the challenging | | | | particpatre in outdoor activities is a cycling trip. This |
| hikes. | | | | can be a weekend trip or just a day spent cycling |
| Many hikes are day hikes so you can take one day | | | | along country roads. One of the great things about a |
| out of your weekend to be an outdoor enthusiast | | | | family cycling outing is that you proceed at your own |
| and still have time for your family responsibilities. An | | | | pace. If an interesting bird or animal is seen you can |
| advantage of participating with a hiking club is the | | | | stop to observe and then resume your ride. |
| safety and security of being with an organised group | | | | So go ahead and organize your mini adventures and |
| that knows the trails, thus preventing you from | | | | uncover the outdoor adventurer in you. |
| getting lost. | | | | |