From Deseret News archives:
Reflections on 35 years at best job in the world
After 35 years of writing about Utah's outdoors, it would be hard to quit cold turkey, and for that I'm happy.
Imagine, getting paid to participate in Utah's outdoor activities, and there are unlimited opportunities in that area. Finding stories was never a problem. Finding time to do all the stories was.
I've had it said that I have the best job in the world, and I can't argue. And over the years, I've tried to write about as many different activities as possible. I've done stories on fishing on the Green River, snowmobiling in the Uintas, riding horses on Antelope Island and being able to ski 11 of Utah's ski areas in a single day.
My trips with biologists for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources shocking fish at night on the Green River, trapping and moving antelope off Parker Mountain, riding horses over winter range after the snow has melted, pulling gillnets from Strawberry, watching them net moose and bighorn sheep for transplant and covering the annual hunts have been informative, exciting and memorable, and stories I enjoyed writing.
I've come to have a great deal of respect for the stewards of our public resources, those working for the DWR, Parks and Recreation, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. It's not about money with most, but an interest and appreciation for what it is they are responsible for, be it land, vegetation or animals.
I've also been able to cover things like tennis, auto racing and a range of minor sports, including racquetball, squash and motorcycle events.
Recent comments
Deseret News won't be the same without Utah's greatest outdoors...
JD | Aug. 8, 2008 at 4:32 p.m.
Reading the Outdoor section every Thursday with my morning coffee is...
Outdoor man | Aug. 7, 2008 at 3:19 p.m.
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