Des Moines – Iowa state parks will launch the New Year, which also is the start of the state park centennial year, with outdoor hikes across Iowa. First Day Hikes are being organized at 49 parks, the most to participate since the statewide event began nine years ago.

  “First Day Hikes are the inaugural events of the centennial celebration, and we are so excited to spend this time outdoors with park visitors,” said Todd Coffelt, Parks, Forests and Preserves bureau chief at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “Even if you have never been on a winter hike or visited a state park, we invite you to join us for this special opportunity to exercise, enjoy nature, and welcome the New Year with friends and family.”

  Last year, more than 1,400 people participated in hikes on New Year’s Day across Iowa, hiking more than 1,100 total miles at dozens of state parks. Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks. Many parks will also provide hot beverages and snacks after the hike. Participants should dress for the weather, including warm, sturdy boots for winter conditions.

  For a complete listing of First Day Hikes, visit www.iowadnr.gov/firstdayhikes. And visit https://www.iowadnr.gov for all the info about the outdoor adventures in Iowa.

  Check with your state department of conservation/natural resources as many states offer similar events. Go to http://www.backwoodsbound.com/stgamedepts.html for a link to your state’s department and see what they have to offer. Happy New Year!

  The tall middle-aged man stood with the tall old man in front of the gun safe as the door swung open. The old man was the younger man's mentor, his best friend, and to the young man's great fortune, his grandpa.

  "I wanting you to take your pick of my guns," the old man said, peering into the safe as the younger man smiled a whimsical smile, one both happy and sad at the same time.

  "Grandpa, whatever you want me to have is fine with me," the younger man said, his voice strong and deep, yet soft.

 His grandpa picked up an old lever action rifle. "This was your great uncle's from the turn of the century. It’s a model 94 Winchester and it’s been used but it’s probably worth enough to buy two new ones now."

 "It’s a nice rifle," the younger man said, taking it in his hands, working the lever and raising it to his shoulder. "I've always admired it."

 "So has your dad," the old man said. "You might have to fight him over that one!"

 The grandson laughed along with the old man's chuckling as he put the gun back in the safe, bringing out a 1890's model Winchester pump .22 rifle.

 "This little gun belonged to your uncle too. It shoots good." The old man handed it to the younger one.

 The younger man took a moment figuring out how to pump the rifle, then working the action gently, checking the chamber and closing it before handing the gun back to the older man.

  The old man said, "Your uncle killed many a gray squirrel with that rifle."

  The younger man knew that was easier said than done for most because grays don't slow down for much and getting a shot at them with a .22 takes some luck and skill as well as an accurate gun.

 The old man put the gun back in the gun safe and pulled out a beautiful silver inlaid double barrel shotgun. He hefted it to his shoulder in a natural swing, both eyes open as the gun came up as though a quail had taken flight.

 "That's the gun you got in that dog trade," the grandson said, recognizing the double immediately.

 "Yep, this old gun was worth a $1000.00 back in 1984 and I bet its worth two or three times that now," the old man commented. "It shoots good too. I shot a few birds with it but didn't want to scratch it up carrying it in the field."

 The gun went back in the safe and he brought out a new Browning A5 Lightweight 20 gauge. "I got this one at a Quail Unlimited Banquet. Your Uncle won it and gave it to me."

 The young man held it. "It looks brand new."

  "I've shot one box of shells through it."

 He put the gun back in its place and looked at the younger man. "There is some other guns in there son, but those are some of the more expensive ones."

 The younger man took a deep breath. "Can I see that old lightweight A5 20 gauge there in the back?"

 The old man reached in and got it out. "Son this old gun has seen better days. I had to replace the forearm on it cause the original got cracked and it doesn't match the other wood. Most of the bluing is gone and the vent rib is nicked." He handed it to the younger man. "The old gun still shoots though."

 The younger man held the gun respectfully in his hands. Treating it much like one would an old friend. "This is your gun," he said in a tone leaving no doubt it was a statement. "This is the gun that you taught me how to shoot a semi-auto shotgun with."

  He looked in his grandpa's eyes, his own eyes no longer dry. "This is the gun you killed the bird shooting it one handed because I flushed the birds and you still had your hand on the top wire of the fence."

 He pulled back the loading lever and the old gun locked back. "This is the gun you knocked down five quail with five shots on LB Lowe's land on a covey rise. It’s the gun you let me use to kill my first turkey when I was 11 years old."

  He let the receiver forward. "This is the gun you were shooting that time I knocked down every bird you were going to shoot at when we had such a good day hunting on Camp Gruber.

 He looked his grandpa in the eyes again. "This was your gun grandpa and it holds a million memories. And of all the guns you have this one means the most to me. I don't have a million dollars grandpa, but I would not take a million or even two million for it."

 The old man nodded in understanding, his eyes no longer dry either.

 "It will be yours son," he finally said.

 The younger man smiled. "I don't want to collect it anytime soon, Grandpa."

 "I'll do my best," the old man said.

   I believe Nature does not seem to have any hurdles it cannot conquer. For mega-millions or billions of years Nature has gone over, around, under and through any hurdle it has encountered. I believe Nature does not waste time looking back, it just keeps going forward.

  I have noticed that some people have a tendency to build hurdles that are really not there with words like “what if”, “it could be”, “in the past”, etc.. I wonder what it would be like if we learned from Nature to cross the hurdles as they are given us and keep going forward. We would have more time to think about the hurdle we have rather than the one that might be. Devote more time to the actual hurdle and go forward.

 Would we have a simpler life, one with more direction and be better at handling the hurdle we are faced with? I believe we would all be happier.

 Once again, look, listen and learn from Nature. Face only the hurdles you are dealt with, not the ones that might be. Nature is a great teacher if we take the time to learn from it. Don’t build things in, don’t live in the past!

 I don’t believe this Alaskan Bear is concerned about the downed tree. He is just stepping over the hurdle and going on his way!