Life Outside Four Walls is more than just a title for a bi-weekly column, for me it’s a way of life.

I realize not everyone is an outdoor enthusiast, but I have seen many people, who normally spend very little of their time outdoors, get lost in the scenery and “happenings” that go along with the outdoors.

Time has a way of melting away when you take the chance to be a participant in nature.

I make part of my living in the outdoors.

I have been a guide on Lake Lure and Lake Jocassee since 2002.

I have been fishing, hunting and exploring this area ever since I was old enough to hold a fishing pole.

I have had the privilege of taking clients fishing from all parts of the country and even the world, and from all walks of life.

It amazes me when some of them tell me how blessed I am to be doing this for a living. Really?

I know their standard of living is much higher than mine, as well as their salaries and bank accounts. Being a guide is not as glamorous as one might think, (trust me on this one), its simply being outdoors in God’s wonderful creation away from the cares of the world.

Even when the fish don’t cooperate, most folks seem to be well pleased with their invaluable time spent outdoors.

I think that maybe God intended for us to be a little more involved in the wonderful things He created.

Although I was born a little further north up the Appalachian mountain chain, I have lived in the Sunny View community all my life. I have a deep sense of value and interest in the western North Carolina mountains.

While others head to the coast or elsewhere for vacation, I find that I plan all my time off heading to a new or favorite destination in the mountains.

There is something very intriguing to me about seeing what’s around the next turn in a newly explored creek or what’s over the next hill on the many trails that wander their way through our precious public lands.

My plan for this column is to inform readers about the “goings on” in the outdoors. I plan to cover fishing, hunting, hiking and even some sight-seeing destinations.

Hopefully, you may learn about a new area to visit, or be reminded of places you have all but forgotten. If you have anything you’d like to see covered from time to time in this column, please feel free to email me.

Take advantage of the freedom we have to enjoy the outdoor world, and realize there are many who would love to be outdoors but due to health or other circumstances simply can’t, and teach your children about the care and enjoyment of this area we call home.

Rob McComas is a licensed North Carolina fishing guide on Lake Lure and Lake Jocassee in S.C. He has been a guide for 11 years and fishing for more than 30. McComas lives with his wife, Amanda, in Sunny View and runs Robs Guide Service. He can be reached at robsguideservice@gmail.com.