WINONA LAKE – I think it’s safe to say that each of us has what I like to call a “happy place.” It’s that place you go to get away from things. That place where life slows down and you can be yourself. For me, that place is the outdoors. If you’ve seen my Facebook page or Twitter account, or if you know the real Dale Hubler, as opposed to the one you see talking to coaches and athletes at local sporting events, this isn’t breaking news. The majority of my free time is spent at Tri-County Fish & Wildlife Area in North Webster, or Salamonie River State Forest near LaGro. To me, hiking, being in the woods, going to the shooting range, or going fishing is time well spent. It’s priceless. It’s how I recharge my batteries, so to speak. I have family members and friends who feel the same way, and it’s a great time to bond with them. I’m excited for spring and summer because my 6-year-old nephew Maddox can’t stop talking about wanting to go fishing with Uncle Dale. He doesn’t know it yet, but for his birthday next month I got him a new fishing pole and a Bass Pro Shops hat. It makes me smile that he’s growing an interest in the outdoors, and I look forward to making a lot of memories with him. With all of that being said, Friday morning I had the opportunity to meet and interview Willie Robertson. Robertson is the CEO of Monroe, Louisiana-based Duck Commander and a star of A&E’s incredibly popular show “Duck Dynasty.” Robertson spoke during chapel time at Grace College, telling the school’s students and staff about his faith and the history of the duck call business that his father started years ago. He later met with the media, and then returned to the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center Friday evening to speak for Career Week. I asked Robertson about the importance of introducing people to the outdoors at a young age (which is what I’m doing to my aforementioned 6-year-old nephew). “We grew up in the outdoors, so it’s so fun to be in the industry of the outdoors, where we help other companies sell their products, market their products,” said Robertson. “It’s so important to get kids out there, and probably one of our favorite things is to see a child out in the woods. Everything just slows down, you know. There’s no cellphones. You can just look at creation and be inspired by something like a sunrise or a sunset, or watching animals interact. It can teach you a lot. For me, it’s almost spiritual being out there. “To be able to expose that to people at a young age, especially nowadays because everything is just growing so fast, to get them out there and show them that this is real life is important.” To enjoy the beautiful weather we’ve had lately, I made a couple trips to Salamonie River State Forest for a hike and some eagle-watching. The scenery was as beautiful as the weather. During the two visits I was able to spot six bald eagles. We’ve all seen them on stamps and T-shirts or at a zoo, but let me tell you that seeing one flying around free is an amazing experience. Here’s my challenge to you ... get a group of friends or family members together and hit the outdoors. Go fishing together. Take a hike and take in some fresh air. Forget the fast-paced world we live in for a little while. I don’t think you’ll regret it.
