Well, it was official yesterday. With my 312th post, Simplyoutdoors.net has been around for a whole year. It all started with this measely little post, and has came a long way since then.

I honestly had no idea where I wanted the site to go when Jeff and I first started it last year, but I have to say that I am pretty pleased with the outcome so far. It started just as a way to share with family and friends our outdoor pursuits, and has branched into many other things as well. Never did I think I would be a “writer”, and I still use that term loosely to describe myself, but I have to say that I’ve come along way from our original posts.

In this first year we have given young people plenty of chances to enjoy the outdoors. We’ve gotten Jeff’s kids actively involved in hunting, and took my cousin Corrin on her first bowhunts. If anything, those have been the most important accomplishments that have came from our site.

We have also voiced our opinions about many topics, and let our voices be heard about certain issues, from our home state, which didn’t sit very well with us. We have also promoted issues from our state which we thought would have a very positive effect here in Michigan. We have also been active in covering topics that affected sportsmen(and women) nationwide, and have had the opportunity, through various other outdoor blogs, to keep up on national outdoor topics, and have our voice heard when it involves them. It has been one heck of a year hasn’t it?

We were also very fortunate, right from the start, to come across Kristine’s blog and get involved in the Outdoor Bloggers Summit. This started a phenomenon which I am still in awe about. I never thought that we would be involved in such a great organization as the OBS, but we are, and we couldn’t be more proud of that. The OBS has also provided us a way to have a great online network of friends that hopefully we’ll be able to meet at the OBS Summit in 2009.

This last year has also provided for a number of other opportunities as well-getting to guest post on such sites as Jody’s, and one that you will read soon on Blessed’s. I also have another guest post that will be featured on another site that I’m very proud of, but you’ll just have to wait to see what site that is. It doesn’t involve the outdoors, but it sure involves something I’m passionate about–money!

This past year has also seen us head to Shiloh, to fulfill one of our Outdoor Intentions, and also provided another new series-that was featured on the site-to promote our home state. The Michigan Sanctuaries Series is one of the best things we’ve done on the site, and I’ve been privileged enough to have Kristine contribute to that series as well.

All in all it has been a heck of a first year, and looking back, I believe it can only get better. Another hunting season is on the horizon, and our first addition to our family will be here in only a few short months. I’m sure, in the months to come, that SimplyOutdoors.net will have much more to share, as well as much more to learn. And we couldn’t be more excited.

Here’s to another great year!

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