Shared Stories
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Users shared hundreds of personal stories about what gets them outdoors during Timex Expedition’s Return to the Outdoors Contest earlier this year. Here are some of our favorites.
My love of the outdoors began when I was a little girl. I had an older brother whose friends would always come over and camp out in the backyard. As I got older, I met the love of my life, Ben. Ben re-ignited my love of the outdoors. Read more
Rachel F., UT
I have many memories of outdoors but the best one is going fishing with my father. I was a girl and had to do all the "icky" things like put your own worms, minnows or soft craws on the hook. Read more
Mary G., TX
We have a field trip offered every year through our children's school called Quest. It is for any 8th grader who wishes to participate and consists of a one day hike, a two day hike and then ends with the big 4 day hike of about 30 miles. Read more
Joyce J., NY
What keeps you coming back to the outdoors? This is the wrong question! It takes all of my inner strength to have the discipline to be responsible to come inside and do some “indoor” time, as to allow the freedom to enjoy the outdoors. I need no motivation as it is a natural state of being. Outside I am alive. Read more
Megan D., ON
I was about eleven years old and our family was going on vacation. I wanted to go to an adventure park with rides, but my parents said I would find this new adventure more exciting. We drove through the Blue Ridge Mountains with frequent stops. Read more
Brittany F., FL
After a long day on the road, we stopped one night in the Big Horns. My little one could sit no longer, so as the others set up camp, my 5 year old and I strayed behind the campsite for a little hike. It was dusk, and we followed a thin trail into deciduous woods. Read more
Nancy B., MN
For my 40th birthday, I wanted to do something special. I chose camping with my family at a remote campsite in the Everglades. We brought bikes for the kids, and I thought I would run since I was preparing to do my first marathon. After my wife and I set up camp, we gave each child a 20 oz water bottle and headed for the trails. Read more
Adam B., FL
Five years ago, when my son was just 3 years old, we took a trip out to California to visit my grandparents. My memories of childhood were fantastic. I was around 3 years old myself when my grandfather taught me how to fish. I still remember bringing a nice sized halibut all the way up to the railing of the San Clemente pier, only to see it wriggle off of the hook and bellyflop back in to the ocean. It is the proverbial story of "the one that got away". Read more
John L., OR
Growing up, my family of 8 was on the road, packing up one home to the next every 2-3 years. Home was ever-changing as a military brat...from the mountains of Alaska and Colorado, to the beaches of Virginia and California, to the rivers and grapevines of Germany. But it was the woodlands of my grandparent's backyard in North Beach, Maryland that created some sense of place; a home that we visited too seldom between moves, yet one that provided roots of security and belonging. Read more
Kathy K., CO
I lived in West Texas and the best place for camping was Big Bend National Park. An event happened there I will never forget; I was just twelve. My dad and I found a great campsite with a tremendous view of "The Window". We had spent the day hiking because our attempt at canoeing down the Rio Grande left us unsuccessful (that’s another story in itself).Still, I was having a terrific time at Big Bend. Read more
