Meet first term Wild Keeper, Cade! Cade is based in Michigan and his favorite way to experience the outdoors is by camping. Cade shared with us that he got into the outdoors after his music taste started evolving.
He reflected that, "I used to exclusively listen to rap music, which I still love listening to with friends. However, my change slowly started a few years ago. I used to work at a pizza and grinder shop called Mancino's and this is where I made some of my best friends today. They would always listen to indie rock/pop or alt rock kind of music and one of them even played in a band who I quickly became friends with. Initially I couldn’t stand some of the music they would play in the store but I grew to love it.
That was a long period of time for that change in genres, however, there is an artist and moment I can connect it to. In spring of 2021, myself and some friends took a surprise visit to Arizona to visit my brother who attends ASU. While sitting in the car, looking over some mountains during the sunset they introduced me to the artist Goth Babe with his song Moments/Tides. It felt like a movie in the sense that the music feels like it would play in the montage of an epic young adult summer adventure!
I absolutely loved it. Ever since then I have been a huge fan of Goth Babe, but the feeling his music gave me and the bands I soon discovered like Sure Sure, Dayglow, Fruit Bats, and others gave me the sense of adventure.
I started enjoying the idea of camping and hiking after I had a bit of a personality change from that. My girlfriend and I have been on a few trips in our native Michigan as well as visiting Mammoth Cave National Park. I have also recently enjoyed camping and hiking in the Pocono Mountains whilst I work in Pennsylvania for the summer."
Cade also shared that his favorite place he has been camping is in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. "My first big camping trip since I was a kid was with my girlfriend Elisse where we camped and visited Tahquamenon Falls and Pictured Rocks. It was in the Fall and northern Michigan has beautiful colors. The best part was spending it with my girlfriend who enjoyed it just as much."
Learn more about Cade and his Wild Keeping below!
Keep Nature Wild: What is one thing you won't go camping without?
Cade: One thing I can not go camping without is my Hori knife by Barebones. It has a normal side, a serrated side, has blunt end at the bottom to act as a hammer for tent stakes, as well as it can act like a spade shovel. It’s a great tool to have.
KNW: Between mountains, forests or desert - which would you prefer?
C: Forests!
KNW: What is your favorite adventure snack?
C: Oatmeal Raisin Cliff Bars
KNW:
What is one thing you'd love to bring more awareness to in the outdoor space?
C: How relaxing it can be. People stuck in the bore of every day routine can escape to seemingly different worlds and let loose taking in natures beauty.
KNW: What is your favorite thing about being a Wild Keeper?
C: It’s so important to keep nature beautiful. If you enjoy the areas you camp, hike, or relax take time to clean it up.
KNW: What has picking up trash outdoors done for you?
C: It makes me feel like a part of the outdoor community. Like I am doing my part to take care of something we all love.
KNW: Roughly how many pounds do you think you've picked up since you became a Wild Keeper?
C: I picked up 8 pounds in my first putting by myself
KNW: What goals do you have for this year? (or beyond?)
C:I want to take as many outdoor trips as possible to take a break from work and school.
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