I’ve lived in Minnesota all my life, 57 years. My great-grandparent was born here, my grandparent was born here, my father was born here. They were a part of the land, and I like to be a part of the land also. I like to hunt, fish, hike, sightsee, and forage for mushrooms and berries. It’s free, it’s different and it gets you away from the city.
Connecting with the outdoors means having a relationship with it, spending time alone in it. I also introduced my children and grandchildren to it. Some of my favorite outdoor memories are my children’s and grandchildren’s “firsts” – like when my granddaughter Greta caught her first fish. We were fishing on Roosevelt Lake and she caught a sunfish. She’s 3 years old now and every time she sees a picture of it, she cries that she wants to go up to the cabin and go fishing. It’s fun to see them enjoy what I enjoy.
If you want to get outdoors, seek a mentor. My uncle was my mentor, taught me how to hunt and fish with my cousins. I still hunt with my cousins every year.
- Mike Gandrud
Pictured: Mike's granddaughter Greta.