Hockey is fun to watch??

Even though I would rather have the Nashville Predators still in the hunt for the Stanley Cup (they got swept 4-0 in undramatic fashion, by the Avalanche), watching the NHL playoffs this season has been extremely enjoyable. I sort of latched on to the Avalanche (because if they win the cup, at least the Predators can say they lost to the champs) and the NY Rangers. I can’t really say when or how it happened with the Rangers, but I’m on board for an NHL Stanley Cup win for them!

It may have been when Mika Zibanejad scored a goal in 4 straight playoff games that I thought, “This team is fun to watch!” Or the incredible goal-defending of Igor Shesterkin. Or it may be that they’re currently facing the two-time defending champions, Tampa Bay Lightning. I’m always one to pull for the underdogs.

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One thing that’s surprised me this year is watching a handful of short-handed goals. That’s when a team that’s on a power play (5 players vs. 4 players) gets scored on by the team with less players! It’s kind of crazy and really shouldn’t happen, but I’ve seen it happen 4 times in the last few weeks.

On top of that excitement, I think I’m realizing just how good these professionals are with a stick and a puck. The passes, the shooting, the pinpoint accuracy and agility on skates is simply incredible.

Have you been watching the playoffs this year? What’s been something you enjoy about it? Chime in below and go Rangers!

-Out of the Wilderness

Payne’s Prairie Preserve State Park – in Pictures

My time at Payne’s Prairie Preserve State Park flew by! I can hardly believe I was there at all… but I was, I have pictures to prove it help me remind myself of where I was. All kinds of wildlife at this park, some of which I wasn’t able to photograph (yes, I’m talking about a baby armadillo that was the cutest thing I’ve EVER seen!!!!). Highlights were an accidental photo session with a mom and baby deer (pictures here).

Thanks for stopping by. I post daily at 1pm central and for more posts about camping, check out my camping page. See you again next time!

-Out of the Wilderness

The Music in the Galaxy s22 Ultra Commercial, and Why I Won’t Get An iPhone

Samsung put together a commercial with big-screen graphics, reminded me a lot of Transformers. Great work and a perfect song choice to boot! Here’s the ad, then scroll down for more info…

The Music. The song is “Fall Into Line” by SATV Music. It was released in 2019. Here’s the full track…

I’m all-in on Android, mostly because I tend to be a contrarian and shudder at the idea of caving to the iPhone crowd. But the truth is that there are so many great phones out there (including iPhones, ugh), so I just go with the one I like at the cheapest price (which pretty much rules out the iPhone and this s22, I’m sure). Plus, I never do what’s popular till years after. So maybe I’ll get an iPhone once they aren’t popular.

I’ll stick with my Motorola. It was inexpensive, does everything I want and probably more, and I didn’t feel so bad using scotch tape when the screen cracked.

Thanks for dropping in…

-Out of the Wilderness

Deer of Payne’s Prairie Preserve State Park

The first stop on a trip around Florida (again! Here’s a recap of a different trip around the state) is Payne’s Prairie Preserve State Park just south of Gainesville. The park is known for its wild horses, bison, and alligators, some of which I saw with my own eyes (never saw bison, though). But there are also turtles, birds, armadillos… and for the first time ever I saw a baby armadillo. I’m not even sure what they’re called when they’re young but one thing’s for sure. I WANT ONE. One of my dogs sniffed it out way before I even knew it was close by. When I saw it, my heart skipped a beat. It was so tiny, and oh, oh, oh so cute! I tried to find it once I retrieved my camera but it must have scooted away. 

There are also lots of deer in the park. It’s funny when you get pictures you didn’t even really plan on getting. The final few (the mama and baby crossing the road) were taken when I was on my way back from a photos session at one of the park’s observation towers. I sort of stumbled upon the moment when I saw a car just parked in the roadway. Then the driver slowly moved on. I wasn’t sure the reason they were driving so cautiously until I glanced around and saw the mama and baby pair walking along the roadside. I quickly and quietly propped my bike with the kickstand, unzipped my camera bag, hoping I’d have my camera out in time for the deer, who at this point were out of view, obstructed by a stone park sign. Then they cautiously crossed the road and I think those photos will be in my top favorites for a long time to come. 

Thanks for dropping in…

-Out of the Wilderness

Allegiant Air Commercial – The Music, the Actress, and More!

Allegiant Air has a fun commercial promoting their non-stop flights. Say what you want about the airline but the ad itself is so visually pleasing. I love the transitions, the colors, and the bright, happy, smiling people. Check it out below then scroll down for more from the making of the ad…

The Music. Backing this ad is a song called “Don’t Fence Me In,” performed by Labrinth and released in 2019. Full track is below…

The original version of this song is over 80 yrs old, written in 1934. Here’s a version from Bing Crosby (1944).

The Actress. Starring in this commercial is actress Ashley Marie Jones. She has a few big time projects under her belt, including a role as Briefcase Girl #17 on the show “Deal or No Deal.” Check out more of her work here and follow her on Instagram… @ashleymariejones

Lights, Camera, Action. The commercial was directed by Roxanna Dunlop, who has a portfolio of ads she’s directed on her website… RoxannaDunlop.com. You can also find her on Instagram… @whosroxy

Thanks for dropping in…

-Out of the Wilderness