Introducing Out and Across: The Outdoor Adventure Blog

Have you ever tried something new? Of course you have. You know it’s not always easy; especially if it’s totally outside of your wheelhouse. But the truth is, we’re all beginners at one point or another. Whether we’re preparing to climb the world’s tallest mountain or starting an outdoor adventure resource, it takes courage to put yourself out there and try something new. Finding your courage is what matters. Here’s a little glimpse into why I started outandacross.com.

• Save

Last Updated: January 2024

I had been thinking about starting an outdoor adventure blog for years. Somewhat embarrassingly, I have actually started and restarted several blogs over the years but never quite had the guts to hit “publish.” In those times, I wasn’t really sure where to start. I think I was also nervous and afraid to put something out into the world that could fail miserably. What if I fall flat on my face?

But this time felt different. Starting a website was completely new territory for me, and I really didn’t know if I’d be any good at it (sometimes I still don’t!). But you know what, our own minds can sometimes be the thing that holds us back, right? Sure, I had a ton of lingering thoughts before choosing the domain: Will I really like working on a website? How will I have the time and energy to stick with it? What if no one likes what I’m creating? What if I just royally suck at this? At the end of the day, I had to choose to accept that I didn’t (and still don’t) have all the answers to these nagging questions. Even so, this time, I was determined to give it a shot.

Why I Decided To Start A Website

• Save

My life drastically changed in December 2019. I left behind my senior leadership position at an international nonprofit. I knew I needed the change, but then…. BANG! Our world was hit with the COVID-19 pandemic. At that point, my hopes and dreams of quickly finding another position after a much-needed rest went out the window.

As you may know, COVID-19 made job searching incredibly difficult. I would write and submit countless resumes and cover letters, and then find things to do that were more enjoyable — like watching Netflix and drinking merlot (kidding… not really). Thankfully, my personal pity party didn’t last too long. I gradually found that creative and entrepreneurial spark that lives deep within me. As a values-based person, I was drawn by the idea of creating something from start to finish, something that would hopefully have a positive impact on the world.

I’ve always loved being outside, I thought. And I had thousands of photos from different trips. Not to mention how the pandemic amplified our need to spend time outdoors for our physical and mental health. That’s when I landed on creating a website. At the very least, this might be something that can help me get through a season of uncertainty. I opened @outandacross accounts on Facebook and Instagram and bought the outandacross.com domain.

Out and Across — The Outdoor Adventure Blog

• Save

I can’t tell you how many “How To Start A Blog” blog posts and articles I read. I poured myself into research on blogging and websites, search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, and all kinds of other related topics. That’s when I decided to look into digital marketing certificates and later completed a program at the University of Calgary.

If you’re going to start a blog (or any creative project), choose to focus on something that you really love. That’s the best advice I found. If you’re going to put hours and hours into creating a blog, and hopefully have other people read it, then your passion and enthusiasm for what you’re creating needs to shine through. Honestly, even now, the knowledge that I’m helping people find the confidence to spend more time outdoors fuels me on my down days.

As a values-driven person, I want to invest my time and energy into things that are going to make our world better. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all spent more time outdoors? What would happen if we all cared more about the natural world and more often ventured outside our comfort zones? As an American novelist Jack Kerouac once said, “…in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.” My thoughts exactly, Jack.

What’s The Goal For This Website

• Save

Ultimately, I continue to hope this outdoor resource stirs up your inner adventurer and curious spirit. Big or small, outdoor adventure pull us into the unknown and gives us the chance to connect more deeply with ourselves, one another, and the world around us. Anyone can embrace adventure if we only find the courage to try something new. Through this website, I plan to create trip reports and guides to help motivate and encourage outdoor activity.

One of my favourite Netflix finds during the pandemic was a short reality series called “Win the Wilderness.” Have you seen it? British couples compete to win a remote, beautiful homestead in the Alaskan wilderness, through challenges designed to determine their suitability to run and maintain the property. Duane and Rena Ose trekked into the Alaskan interior to become homesteaders, and now it’s time to find the new residents of Ose Mountain. Duane has a great line where he says something like: ‘Most people say, “I wish I had”… but I can say, “I did.”‘

When I’m old and gray, and sitting in my rocking chair reflecting on days gone by, I want to be able to look back and say “I did.” If this website is still around, I imagine scrolling through the pages and remembering what it was like to hike here and camp there. At the very least, I imagine I might be proud that I tried to encourage other people to take steps toward adventure — as I stepped forward myself. We only have one life after all. We might as well live it the best we can.

Thanks for reading! Are you looking for specific outdoor or travel-related content or resources? I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment below.

---