Feb 08 2010
Outside’s Boxing the Compass!
When this site was launched in May 2008, I planned it as a place to describe my explorations by bike, boat, and on foot, and to pass on what I know about those activities and other endeavors. It was logical to call my site Tamia Nelson’s Outside Up North, but the geographic focus didn’t stop readers from all over the world from becoming regular visitors. Then, within a few months, I was receiving a steady flow of mail from others who enthusiastically wrote of their own experiences and views, and they hailed from all over the United States and Canada, with a good many from Brazil, European nations, and Australia. Quite a few of these folks have generously shared their photos and stories, while a few have come aboard as regular contributors. It’s heartening and rewarding that people from all corners of the globe are engaged in similar pursuits and want to talk about them with others. That’s no surprise, really, since the Internet has opened up communications and made it possible for people to get to know one another however far apart they are. Moreover, no one group of people has a monopoly on the love of cycling, paddling, walking, photography, and art, and an appreciation of the outdoors transcends civil boundaries, age, and language.
So what’s the bottom line? Simple. For quite a while now, we’ve been boxing the compass and publishing views and ideas from everywhere. Now, to commemorate this, we’ve refreshed our site’s appearance and have adopted a new name, dropping the “Up North” in recognition of our expanded scope.
One thing has not changed, however, and that’s our outlook. We’re still dedicated to no-octane enjoyment of the outdoors, and through our writing, photographs, and artwork, we pass on what we’ve seen and learned. We love bicycles and cycling, whether we cycle for transportation or for recreation—or both. Some of us even enjoy watching the pros, because their grace and skill are inspiring, and their determination and feats are exciting. We love paddling our boats, too, on stillwaters and swift. We’re inveterate trekkers on foot in all seasons, exploring our backyards and further afield.
Our activities bring us closer to the beauties and wonder of the world around us, which we celebrate through our quiet, self-powered pursuits. These revive the soul, enrich the mind, and recharge the spiritual batteries, without leaving a heavy stamp in our wake. If you feel the same way, then you’re one of us, wherever you live. Welcome aboard Tamia Nelson’s Outside. Enjoy the journey as we move forward!
