Fitness for the outdoors & traveling

Fitness has been a part of my life since I was a pre-teen, and for the last 18 years as part of my job in order to save lives.

When I talk about fitness I'm not refering to washboard abs, and buns of steel (nothing wrong with any of those either), I'm talking about being physically active by exercising at least 4 times per week. Besides the many already proven health benefits it allows us to enjoy more of the outdoors. Did I just use the "E" word? Yes, exercising does not have to be going to a gym, or running on a treadmill but any physical activity that brings our heart rate up for a period of time and makes us break a sweat (walking, running, paddling, kayaking, gardening/landscaping, etc.) 

You may be thinking "why should I be exercising if most of the traveling is done by vehicle?"

  

Well the truth is that driving for long periods of time/distance or thru the back country and off-road does require a strong back and core as well as the ability to focus and stay alert (making sense yet?), once at your destination (at least if you are reading this blog) there will be trails to hike, waterways to paddle, or something along the lines. Another benefit of being physically active is that it helps your body to acclimate and deal with different climates better, therefore allowing us to enjoy more of where we are.

 

 So get out there, ride a bike, paddle a kayak, or go for a long walk, your body will thank you for it!

We would've missed out on finding this gem of a shelter if it wasn't for a good long hike!

Go Topless Day 2015

Go topless day (this year was on May 16th) may sound great for some, fresh to others however it's day used nationwide (internationally even, I saw pics of an event in Australia) for Jeep clubs to help create awareness and raise money for breast cancer research. This year Caloosa Jeepers Club of Southwest Florida hosted the Go Topless Day at Lazy Springs Recreation Park.

 

The event like the park is a family friendly one, with food, raffles, and plenty of things to do for people of all ages. The official event began with a breakfast and a parade thru Ft. Myers, followed by a convoy run to Lazy Springs, while many other convoys from all over South Florida joined in at the park for a day of off-road driving, grilling, and hanging by or in the lake.

 

This is what normally happens when I stop for fuel (not always a police officer) someone curious about the jeep and trailer.

NightSun 4x4 vehicles displaying their lights.

A few of us decided to get to Lazy Springs the evening before and make a quick camping trip, because, why not?

Paco volunteered his Chef services for dinner and breakfast, it was awesome!

I'm thinking Mark was "supervising" dinner

 

 

 Wheelin' Gear was also present, go check their website out and tell them I sent you!

 

 Something about seeing older Jeeps out in the trails that makes me happy!

 

 The Jeep Only Club of Miami was in attendance with a good showing

 



The Caloosa Jeepers Club of Southwest Florida CJET Trailer, I was very impressed with how organized of a club they are and how much importance they give to safety, only the second club in Florida that I'm aware of that has a response team trained in First Aid and CPR, kudos!

These two took their grilling duties seriously, seriously funny!



BF Goodrich was present and with William Echols as their representative to hand out the gift certificate for a new set of tires.

Sugar Shaker Motor Club's Cookie and Bailey

The Wing House Girls of Ft. Myers where on hand hanging with none other than Capt. Jack



Of course it would not be a wheeling day without Mr. Kevin Osborne of Jeeps Gone Wild fixing someone's Jeep!

 

Mr. William Echols, a guy that I not only get to call a friend, but also a mentor, go check out his Youtube channel at Safari Outfitter!

 

And just like that this awesome day was over, but not without over 200 Jeeps in attendance, amazing prizes handed out thanks to all the event sponsors, and a great time full of new and old friends, and food! I'm looking forward to next year's event, and so should you. Remember to always leave the place you visit better than you found it, leave only your foot prints.