6 Hawks checked in briefly, excited to share the women who encourage his outdoor enthusiasm. This is what he sent. In his words, "Get out there in it!"

Immediately, three women come to mind when thinking of influences of my love of the great outdoors. Mother Nature number one is Mom. Despite some things I didn't enjoy, she gave me my appreciation of the outdoors, the nicest gift anyone ever gave me. Second is Beth Maynor Young, the Birmingham river photographer who introduced me to Dennis Holt. One January day she took me wading up a frigid mountain stream to the most sacred spot I've ever visited - The Walls of Jericho. Awesome! Then there was a gaggle of nameless, faceless counselors at Nature Camp, a spot in the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia that I populated for two weeks each teenage summer. These women handled snakes and salamanders and spiders and EVERYTHING! I was smitten, but can't remember a single one. I left there on a trajectory to be a marine biologist. Life intervened and my career ambition blossomed into my sanctuary where I go and explore during down time.