So, the old saying goes, “happy wife, happy life.” We all know it’s true and a wise man will pay heed to it. Still, we forget sometimes to mind the store. So, I am trying to find ways as I get older to include my wife in my outdoor activities.  I know she will never be a motocross racer, an athlete, a fisherman or an outdoorsman.  Yes, she’ll go on a hike and yes, she’ll fish from time to time.  She’s just not as interested in the other aforementioned outdoors activities as I am.  I am ok with that. 

It is great that she doesn’t begrudge me going out to do things like fishing, or riding a dirt bike.  She does not give me a hard time about those things and I appreciate that in her.  On the other hand, I need to work more to find fun, outdoorsy things that she likes to do with me. It’s good to remember too that doing active outdoor activities will improve your health and studies have shown they increase your joy and enthusiasm for life as well. 

On that front, I had a great time this weekend taking my wife to the Wildlife Expo put on by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (the “Department”).  What a great event. More importantly, she had a good time.  I could tell she was enjoying doing things there that I haven’t seen her try much over the years.  She shot some pressure gun air rifles, she did some bow fishing practice and she even took a mountain bike on a short trail ride. 

Woot! Woot! Julie was an outdoor girl for a day!  So how did all this come about you ask? Well, it started with a general audience, promotional email from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.  As I’m trying to grow the outdoor adventure blog, I am always looking for events and connections.  So, when I saw the email, I thought I’d call and check on it.  The communications person there was great and sold me on coming on out to check it out.  I am so glad I did.

After deciding that I’d check it out, I wanted to see if I could get Julie on board.  Now, I didn’t want to take her if she wasn’t going to enjoy it, but there seemed to be enough activities scheduled that I thought she’d find it fun for something different to do. Wow did that prove to be true. 

First, I told her about it to get the idea in her head.  I was ok if she did or didn’t want to go, but I thought we’d enjoy it.  Then, I found a link online to a report that one of the local news stations had run on the event.  I sent that to her by text and that got her going. Still, no matter how good the marketing, if the event doesn’t deliver, it’s a failure.

Now on that front, I must give the Department credit.  They ran a great show.  From a shuttle in the parking lot, to educated and enthusiastic staff, to the amazing diversity of quality events, displays and activities, everything was first rate.  Wow!

I could tell Julie was enjoying it from the get go.  She was happily going from exhibit to exhibit – and that was on the indoor part.  Then, she wanted to get a map and seek out the outside activities.  I got to shoot and practice fly fishing. I’ve fished all my life, but I’ve only had a fly rod in my hands two times before. Julie did the bow fishing practice, the shooting and the mountain bike riding.  She was into it!

In case you’re looking for something active to do outdoors, I highly recommend you get it on your schedule for next year.  There were activities for all ages and plenty of them.  If it had been a little cooler I think even more people would have been engaging in all the outdoor activities, but I got plenty in and Julie really did. Man was I happy with the events and the fact that my wife had a good time.

It’s a good reminder of all the outdoor activity opportunities there are in or near Oklahoma (but it’s true of every state if you look).  We’ve been to Tulsa’s Gathering Place park a few times, but not enough.  We’ve gone to Robber’s Cave State Park for hiking and to Little Sahara in western Oklahoma for ATV riding.  We’ve taken trips to every one of the big lakes (and some of the small ones) in a two plus hour radius of Tulsa. So, there’s really no excuse not to get out and do active things in Oklahoma (or anywhere in America).  To all my married readers, if you haven’t been outdoors, get the spouse geared up.  Get out while the getting is good.  Fall is here and great outdoor weather abounds. Get healthy, get happy and get outdoors! Remember — happy wife, happy life.

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