This has been an extraordinary year, full of sorrow at times, but full of many fine times, too.

Two friends pass away

The grieving continues for two of our Hut Crew members.

Chuck Buck

Chuck Buck, Chairman of the Board for Buck Knives and the third generation of the Buck Knife family business, died on Feb. 6. Chuck’s call-sign was Hut-4.

Lunch with Chuck was always a possibility whenever I was able to get to the Coeur d’Alene area. The visit was usually extended afterwards with time spent in Chuck’s office.

Jerry Lester

My friend since the second grade, Jerry Lester, passed away on Oct. 5. Jerry’s call-sign was Hut-2.

Jerry and I enjoyed many outdoors adventures over the years, but time in the outdoors was especially precious after he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Still we enjoyed fishing for walleye, salmon and trout. We hunted deer and turkey.

The memories of time spend with these two friends is priceless, as they say, and remain strong.

Column themes

There are always new topics for a columnist to cover each year, but when looking over the past 51 columns, plus the 24 years before, a few common themes are apparent.

Giving back

Each year begins with a column about giving back to the outdoors. This was a deliberate decision made about 15 years ago. It is my job to make sure readers think about ways to improve their outdoor surroundings, instead of simply spending time and leaving. This will be the subject of next week’s column.

Survival

How to successfully spend an unexpected night or two in the outdoors has been and will continue to be at least one column during each year. This year we covered several survival items made by Smith’s, a company making tools and stones used to sharpen knives and other tools. These survival tools may help an outdoors-minded person live during a survival situation.

Other survival-linked subjects were covered during the year and will continue to be discussed each year. Doing so may save a life or two.

Columbia Basin hikes

This year Bill Witt enticed me to go on a weekly hike. We hiked to the old homestead in Northrup Canyon, around the hills between Ephrata and Soap Lake, the Odessa Craters trail, through the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area, to Harris Lake in the sand dunes west of Potholes Reservoir and more. We stopped these hikes when the weather became too hot for our comfort.

Most interesting to me was exploring new territory, as my feet had never touched the Odessa Craters trail or the Swanson Lakes area.

Homeschoolers trips

Lisa Porter has called me each of the last three years, asking me to lead the local homeschooled youth on a trip to a different place of interest.

The first year we hiked to the rock where Chief Moses camped on lower Rocky Ford Creek. Next we explored the Lake Lenore Caves. This year we traveled the Odessa Craters trail.

Not sure where we will hike next year. It is invigorating to show the youth interesting Basin points of interest.

Day trips

Not everyone is into hiking, so a column about a day trip or two is offered during the year. This column provides directions for the entire trip, such as where to make every turn.

The direction might be south to the Potholes area or north to the Coulee Dam area. Providing the option of making the journey a roundtrip is a bonus, but the reader has the choice to simply retrace the same road to return home.

Humor stories

Readers have made it known they enjoy reading my humor stories and it is enjoyable for me to write a humor story. The plan is to publish several of the “The Adventures of Rich and I” stories in book form early next year.

The new stories, beginning with, “So there I was, minding my own business, when…” are still being produced, but the plan is to eventually have them in book form.

The last such story, “The Packie War,” was published in two parts. A third part to the story was not planned. However, several people have actually told me, in person and in e-mails, they are expecting a third part. So…you ask and the task will be attempted and hopefully completed.

Trailer camping

Sending time at Potholes State Park has been enjoyable over the years. We try to reserve Site 23, our favorite spot.

Just recently Garnet has indicated she would like to visit Steamboat Rock State Park and Confluence State Park. We have visited both places in past years and enjoyed the stay immensely.

Diet

My diet was covered extensively this year. Much more about my weight loss appeared on this page than many readers wanted. Still the goal was achieved and being able to put the struggle down for you to read was of great assistance to me. Thank you for sticking with me.

Next year

Yes, this has been an extraordinary year. This Saturday we begin 2016, so let’s do it all again.