The Indoorsy Dad

My friend Tom is a visionary executive in the media technology world and a self-described indoorsy guy. His ideal vacation is taking his wife and kids to nice restaurants, shopping, museums, and shows in climate-controlled hotels and casinos in urban settings... far from the beach, the desert, the snow, or really anything outdoors.

Tom has borderline arachnophobia. It’s not uncommon in city folk. Enter Tom's youngest son...

This son is obsessed with spiders and reptiles. Obsessed. The boy was blessed with a very strong calling that gives him a certain confidence and direction that I rarely see in such young children. By 11 years old, he had researched as much about animals as any undergraduate zoology major. His sights are unshakably set on a wild frontier, far from any urban setting.

While marveling at a tarantula in a pet shop one day, he said, “Dad, I was put on earth to help mankind become closer to the animal kingdom.” Oh, the irony, thought Tom.

Visits to the pet store in Santa Monica yielded too many terrarium purchases, and more creepy crawly house pets than Tom or his wife really wanted. Tom desperately wanted to give his spirited son the outdoorsy adventure he craved.  

Tom called me, and together we bought hiking boots, basic athletic clothing, sun hats, and headlamps. Tom whisked his kids up to the high desert, and we piled into my jeep with binoculars and a picnic. Of course, I brought my camera. 

I didn’t even realize that during this special adventure with my friends, Switchback Pictures was being conceived.

Tom has zero desire to become an outdoorsy guy, but I’ll never forget him watching his sons’ faces light up as the jeep turned onto unnamed dirt roads of the high desert. We wove between Joshua trees and creosote bushes; we spotted hawks, falcons, lizards, rabbits, and even a majestic kingsnake; we scrambled across boulders and took in sweeping high desert vistas. I dare say Tom even experienced a childlike exhilaration as nature pulled our gaze around each new bend in the road.

Something about the bright sun, the blue jay skies, the sound of wind, and the sparkling starry night calls forth in us a presence, a mindfulness, and a more alert engagement with those around us. All of this helps drop our addiction—if even for a few hours—to our screens. Unplugging, letting go, and getting out for an adventure might be the springboard you need to incorporate sunshine and fresh air in your family’s weekly activities together.

I invite you to plan an adventure with your mate, your kids, your friends, and see the difference a few hours can make. If you do, please share your experience with me. If you seek some help in making your adventure happen, I’d love to hear from you!