I grew up exploring the beautiful temperate rainforest on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state.

As a kid my family’s chosen form of vacation was camping. I loved it. I was born a nature lover, so being outside all day was perfect. Back then the national and state forest had dozens of programs that were offered at campgrounds, as well as nature hikes, and other “educational” offerings.

I never once thought about the fact that I was learning something while I was on vacation. It was done in such a non-threatening way that I just soaked it up. I can remember the More >