Florida State Park Photo Contest… The Final Countdown!

Recently I posted about a photo contest organized by Florida State Parks. At the time, I couldn’t decide which 8 photos I’d submit, there were about 10 I really loved. Here’s that post if you want to review the photos I was deliberating about. I’ll say this before I reveal which pics I submitted: the state parks in Florida are so amazing. From the wildlife to the terrain, the staff, the water (springs, lakes, ocean), I can’t imagine any state having a better state park system (unless they have sewer hookups #luxury 🤪).

I had no idea I’d be talking about poop in this post but hey, if you’ve ever camped, you know how nice it is to have a sewer line at your campsite. When you’re excited about poop, you’re officially an old fart. Get it? Poop… fart…. OK I’m immature. Moving right along… here are the photos I chose for the 2024 contest– only submitting 7 because I guess they’re only allowing one pic per category per person, I don’t remember that being the case last year but anywho, here we go.

Running with the Birds. Henderson Beach State Park. The composition is one part about this photo I love. And it was accidental. Really just a fleeting moment that I captured between photos of other things at the beach, and it turns out to be a favorite. Go figure!

Sunset Surfer. St. Andrews State Park. I keep coming back to this photo because of the casual stance of the surfer. His board is obscured by water so it’s just so interesting to me, plus I love silhouette backlit shots.

A Leg To Stand On. Henderson Beach State Park. Sometimes seagulls lose their legs, I guess? Who knows the story behind this one-legged creature but as I observed it, there wasn’t really any difference in its activities compared to the rest of the seagulls in the area. No self-pity party for this fella!

Friendly Wave. St. Andrews State Park. I mean, does this really need any explanation? Of course we wave and appreciate the service men and women in the Coast Guard. Thanks for all you do to keep your fellow Americans safe! Also, thanks Dad :).

Sunset Grazing. St. Andrews State Park. This young buck wandering around the campground was cool to see. He came out, I think, every day I was there (about 4 days). I love the small, furry antlers.

Light Waves. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. The sunset reflecting on the chaos of a wave crashing on shore, I had no idea it would look so wild and pretty. But the way the water is going in almost every direction, even upwards, is pretty… and pretty cool!

Hanging On. Silver Springs State Park. Nature has a way of adapting, fighting, and surviving. Such is the case with these flowers, using another plant to grow tall and get some sunlight.

There you have it. My favorite photos from camping in Florida State Parks in 2024. I hope to start up a new gallery in 2025 because there are still plenty of campgrounds I haven’t been to or want to go to again!

-Out of the Wilderness

Starting My Resolutions Early

A lot of people do this the first day of January but I decided to do it today, 2 days after my 46th birthday (and 4 days before January). It’s something I haven’t done in about 4 years: I joined the gym! I was just gonna run 4.6 miles to commemorate turning 46 years old but, well, it’s been cold and rainy and who wants to run in that kind of weather? Not me.

I’ve completed all of one workout so far but it was a good one. Chest. Check. Biceps. Check. Triceps. Check. Back. Check. Treadmill. Check. A little bit of everything… except legs.

I super pumped to have access to weights again. It’s all for a purpose, too. I won’t say every workout will be designed to make me a better triathlete, but ultimately that’s the goal. When I head over to the gym, the overriding theme will be: Will this workout make me a faster swimmer, cyclist, or runner? If the answer is “no” then I better have a dang good reason to be going to the gym at all!

-Out of the Wilderness

The Sprite Christmas Commercial with Anta Claus

Sprite puts its own spin on the Santa & Christmas tradition with tricked out sleigh and not Santa Claus, but Anta Claus– played by NBA basketball player Anthony Edwards. Take a look then scroll down for more…

Right off the bat I need to point out that this Sprite holiday commercial is SO much better than the one from a couple of years back. Whereas that one was pretty terrible– barely even mentioning or showing Sprite– this new one has Sprite cans and cases cleverly scattered throughout the ad, along with a nice green color scheme and thought-out rhyming that keeps the viewer engaged. I love the line: “and for once in his life, Ant hit nothing but brick,” playing off the term in basketball when someone severely misses a shot and opponents yell, “Brick!” but in the case of Anta Claus, sending gifts down a brick chimney is a swish.

Good job Sprite!

-Out of the Wilderness

What’s That Song in the Kleenex Commercial? Answers Here!

I never thought I’d be writing about a Kleenex commercial on my birthday but I can’t think of anything else I’d rather blog about today. Sure it’s nice to be 46 and Christmas was yesterday and college football playoffs are heating up, but you guys, it’s a Kleenex commercial that stopped me in my tracks last night! Take a look then scroll down for more about it…

The Song. This super sweet commercial features a song from the 1970s but it’s not Bob Marley singing it this time. It’s Joshua Radin performing “Three Little Birds,” recorded in 2018. His uplifting version might very well be the best I’ve ever heard and makes me actually believe that every little thing is actually going to be alright.

-Out of the Wilderness

Merry Christmas from Out of the Wilderness!

Whether this holiday brings you together with family and friends or it’s one you prefer to just get through because of past hurts, I hope this season finds you either… 1. doing well or 2. getting better and stronger each day. I hope the Lord blesses you and makes Himself known to you each day (the same prayer I have for myself).

Merry Christmas!

-Out of the Wilderness