This episode is brought to you by REI Co-op, which believes that life outside is essential.

Research demonstrates numerous physical and mental benefits to heading out your door.

Unfortunately, one in three Americans simply don't have outside spaces close to where

they live.

Challenges range from a lack of public transportation to a highway that cuts off a neighborhood

from a park to systemic issues.

It's a problem that affects the entire country, which is why REI is on a mission to get every

American outside in five minutes or less.

The movement is called outside in five, and it includes a combination of support for

local community-led organizations and a national campaign to pass the outdoors for all act.

Whether it's re-greening city blocks, creating safe bike lanes, or simply making our outdoor

spaces more equitable, together we can make getting to the park, a walk in the park.

Learn more and take action at REI.com-forward-slash-outside-in-five.

From outside magazine, this is the outside podcast.

So, a couple of weeks ago, I had my best summer day in, well, years.

I was in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California, with two of my

kids, and we spent hours along a river, swimming in granite pools, riding the current through

little tunnels, and having close encounters with rainbow trout.

It was 101 degrees out, and that cold water, it felt perfect.

For me, the trip was a desperately needed escape from work, and also a really important reminder.

I'd spent a lot of time in recent months attempting to plan ambitious summer journeys.

A family canoe trip in Maine, a week of backpacking in Oregon, with an old friend, a getaway

...