Call of the Mild

How's this for irony:  recently I've been cruising around National Geographic online in attempt to become more in-touch with the outdoors.  As culturally American and backwards as that idea is: it has worked.  I've never been much on the outdoorsy scale except when it came to organized sports or maybe a picnic (mmm..burgers).  My Dad and I have gone on a few fishing trips that were really enjoyable and I've been on my share of church retreats.  All well and good, but since I've been going to graduate school, my life revolves around papers, reading, and dwelling within four walls and florescent lighting.  For some unexplainable reason, I feel that I need to GET OUT!  It has never been my personality to think in such a way; I'm quite comfortable with movie watching to the point of memorization and xbox hours on end.  Perhaps it's the blogs I'm reading, or an internalized spiritual nature that wants to see all of God's creation, but my milder instincts are starting to entertain camping trips and pre-dawn hikes.  Not going from urbanite to "127 Hours" but somewhere in the middle is where I want to dwell - out into nature.  So I resume my search of "Outdoorsman 101" tips online.  If the call of nature hits anyone else, gimme a shout and we'll go hiking....or walk around Bass Pro Shop at least (A/C and all).