We have a group of 8 guys, who went to college together… few years back, in 90’s that is. Every year in September we have our gathering for one weekend. It is called ‘the boys’ weekend’. Each of us have busy careers and lives, and this weekend gives us a welcoming break. The concept is, that every year 2 guys plan the whole weekend and keep it as secret as possible for the others. There will always be a wild guessing game what to expect and where we are possibly going.
We have had party weekends, city escapes, paintball games, James Bond themes, parachute jumping and so on. We have even visited foreign countries few times. Most of the years have offered something unique to remember and every year we feel, that this is exactly what everybody needed just now.
The best of all is the outdoors experience
Outdoors. Despite the special activities we have had, it seems, that the best memories have originated from our wilderness trips. We have went hiking, climbing, canoeing and camping few times. Being out in the wild, far from the office, listening to the campfire crackling or an owl calling, just has that magical touch. And since everybody just loves great food (in the early days it was more about drinks, now it is more about the food), preparing your own meals in the middle of nowhere is the best kind of therapy men in their 40’s can have. Especially, when most of us are not seasoned outdoorsmen.
Not every trip goes smooth. Good thing, that one of us is a doctor. When somebody breaks achilles tendon or tips the canoe in ice cold water, then teamwork is really needed. But as everybody have surely experienced, such event really strengthens the friendship and deepens the brotherhood. A little misfortune for a day, can create lifelong memories.
This year (2021) is my turn to organise the event again. Just in case some of my friends stumble in this writing (I have not told them about Outdoors Foods yet, or even that I started hunting!, that shall be the secret until September) I am not going to reveal the plans yet. But let’s put it in this way: last time when it was my turn, we were out in the wild, eating blazed salmon, smoked venison stew, chanterelle sauce and quite a few other delicious food originated from outdoors. Half of these guys are restaurant level chefs and BBQ masters. And when you eat the food we make outdoors, the experience beats everything else. And makes our brotherhood even stronger. I intend to continue on this path.
But my promise is, that I will make a video how to make luxury meal outdoors with blazed salmon and chanterelle sauce. Hopefully before September. The only thing is, that I need to catch a salmon first.
Dare for you: strengthen your brotherhood
This said, I urge you to take some of your close friends, who are Not outdoors people, and go out in the wild for the weekend – or, if you are not a seasoned outdoorsman yourself, ask your buddies who are. Sleep in the tent, lean-to or similar, listen to the campfire, try to catch a fish maybe and fix your meals over the campfire. I can almost guarantee, your buddies will ask if you can do that again next year!
