What hobby or activity do you do to unwind?

SFC Rich Carey — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 12:30:24 -0400

Sometimes we need to unwind, what do you like to do?
I love to metal detect, put the headphones on and go - everything else gets tuned out.
Another, go fishing.

(I bet the number 1 answer is, lay on the couch)

Response by CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 12:31 PM

CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 12:31:06 -0400

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 12:33 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 12:33:56 -0400

Race Sailboats

Response by CPT Kyle Schembechler made Jun 12 at 2014 12:33 PM

CPT Kyle Schembechler — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 12:33:56 -0400

Fishing is definitely my number 1 due to convenience and the fact that it is socially acceptable to have a few cold beers while doing so.

Long range shooting with antique, bolt-action, rifles is a close second.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 12:41 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 12:41:05 -0400

restore guns. Primarily older military rifles of my own, but have done other projects for friends too. Just finished a 410 shotgun and working on a .22 stock for a friend now.

Other than that I like brewing beer. Plan to brew a porter here soon to enter into a home brew contest later this year.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 1:45 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 13:45:35 -0400

Does beer count? Besides that, fixing up the house and keeping the wife happy.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made Jun 12 at 2014 1:50 PM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 13:50:26 -0400

Well SFC Carey, I am no couch potato. Walks in the woods or long drives with no particular place to go is quite relaxing. I also enjoy reading ancient and classical literature. I am currently working on a book. Mostly, I spend my time relaxing on Rally Point.

Also, whether I am reading, writing, driving, or walking, there has to be music.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 12 at 2014 1:59 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 13:59:12 -0400

I was really into SCUBA diving...but since my daughter came into the world this has slowed down...stopped. Riding the motorcycle is my activity to unwind now. There are some days when it is more filling taking a ride than eating over lunch.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 2:28 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 14:28:08 -0400

Great question. I have various things. My first is reading since I love books and love a great story. My very close second is riding my motorcycle. Very relaxing. My third is going to the range and getting some well needed trigger time. Love being able to throw some lead down range. And my fourth is watching a movie with my family.

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Jun 12 at 2014 2:37 PM

SFC Stephen Carden — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 14:37:34 -0400

I really like fishing, when I can find the time, and I love to play golf (badly). I also read and I like to build things out of wood. I usually do a crossword puzzle every night before bed to clear my mind. I also find cooking very relaxing. The more complicated the dish, the better.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 2:40 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 14:40:38 -0400

I have three things I do to unwind, the first is a two-part, running and cross-fit. While running my brain just goes off, it's a very relaxing time, out and enjoying nature. Cross-fit is a whole different level of relaxation, helps get the pent up aggression out while bettering myself. The second thing I do to relax is read, love it, hands down it is awesome. Third is playing with my dogs. I have two Labs, one yellow and one chocolate. They are always happy to see me and just love attention, be it a tennis ball, going on runs, hikes, or swimming, they never leave my side and are happy just as I am.

Response by SSG Chris Cherry made Jun 12 at 2014 2:54 PM

SSG Chris Cherry — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 14:54:25 -0400

HPDE and Autocross.

It's the second biggest adrenaline rush I have found. You don't have the ability to do anything other than concentrate on putting a 3400lb machine, traveling at 100mph+, exactly at the right spot on a piece of pavement. Very good way to get away from everything for a while and have a whole lot of fun.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 3:08 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 15:08:41 -0400

I tend to unwind at the end of the day with a little UCMJ. Then maybe some OER/NCOER paperwork followed by a meeting with the S3/XO/CSM. It really calms me.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 3:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 15:26:40 -0400

Im into the obstacle courses otherwise I am gamer.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 12 at 2014 4:48 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 16:48:47 -0400

Maintaining my larger than average GI Joe & 12 inch action figure collection

Walking the pooch-osaurus-rex. Don't let the picture fool you she can be quite feisty!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 4:49 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 16:49:46 -0400

There are some interesting hobbies on here, sorry I'm a bit boring in comparison. I like to read, once in a great while I'll game a little. Mostly though, I wrestle on the floor with the little kids (7,6,4,) and annoy my teens (16,14) by commenting on their instagram photos :)

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 8:16 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 20:16:09 -0400

I have few a hobbies, right now I'm big on photography. I go out early in the morning on long walks looking for the perfect scenery. I use to be into mountain biking, but I haven't found a good trail in northern VA.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 8:28 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 20:28:44 -0400

Three years ago I would have never said this, but I love to run. In 2011 one of the girls in my unit was training for a half-marathon and suggested I should train up and run the half-marathon. So, I did. It was great, and I am now training for my first marathon. I'm on the left, the other three males have been on the Kentucky National Guard marathon team.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 3:31 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 15:31:34 -0400

I do a few things. First and foremost go for a walk listen to music. When I lived in the county with my parents I would sometimes walk at 10 PM not come in till 3 or 4. Second way to unwind is guitar. If I'm having a bad day hand me a guitar and I'll name my first kid after you cause you saved my life and sanity no joke. Piano is a respectable replacement in the event of not having a guitar anywhere. Third I like to write, but the mood has to be right.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2014 7:26 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 07:26:59 -0400

I play guitar to relax. I play something mellow but difficult that requires all of my attention so my mind does not wonder. I also (you guys can laugh at me if you want to) walk in the woods with my headphones on and imagine myself in leadership positions making changes to the things I don't like in the unit!

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Jun 14 at 2014 9:25 AM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 09:25:58 -0400

I just take the kids to the park for an hour to get out of the house

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2014 9:53 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 21:53:53 -0400

Well in My case I grab a couple of friends and grab the motorcycles and just go for a long therapeutic ride in the beautiful Mountains of Montana. A very nice stress reliever

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2014 10:01 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 22:01:09 -0400

I read the news. I will spend hours just absorbing all of the information out there. I will be up for an hour or two at night just reading various sites before I realize it. I am a big info junky.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2014 10:53 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 22:53:07 -0400

As I am locked up in my office all day working on slides or some other last minute tasker from higher. I love to come home an break out the tool box an get elbow deep in grease. I am an old engine collector. Have well over 100 engines so I have a lot of relaxing to keep me busy. It is so great to goto shows an show off my hours of hard work an explain what they were used for so many years ago. Picture is of a 1919 Fruit Jar Maytag (yes Maytag the washing machine company) they put these on washing machines before REC made it to the country.

Response by PO3 Scott Bickler made Jun 16 at 2014 11:01 AM

PO3 Scott Bickler — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:01:36 -0400

Kayak fishing! It's an addiction!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2014 1:09 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 13:09:35 -0400

I'm a musician. I play the guitar, violin, and drums. I also rock at guitar hero.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jan 7 at 2015 10:19 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 22:19:26 -0500

WRITING! I was really surprised how easy words seemed to run out of my fingers. I've published a couple books. Guide's Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXWKO2-A7Ec

I've also got a bunch of pics posted on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GuidesLife?

Thoughts of a Crazy Old Man: http://beslagsmed.wix.com/mikelwdawson#!thoughts-of-a-crazy-old-man/c1ger

When living in Idaho, I hunted a lot, but here in Denmark it's not just the same, so writing has become a thing I really enjoy. I never thought it would be like this

"Guide's Life" by Mikel W. Dawson

Author name: Mikel W. Dawson Title: Guide's Life Page size/soft or hardcover/color or b&w interior/page count/SRP/ISBN 6x9, soft, b&w, 488 pp, $24.95, 978-1-...

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made May 27 at 2015 10:49 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 27 May 2015 10:49:22 -0400

Target shooting.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made May 27 at 2015 10:50 AM

SA Harold Hansmann — Wed, 27 May 2015 10:50:28 -0400

When I was active duty, a buddy and I went fishing in either fresh or salt water.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 27 at 2015 10:56 AM

SFC Stephen King — Wed, 27 May 2015 10:56:58 -0400

Lift heavy thing and put them down.
Gardening is a release for me (Landscaping)

Response by SPC Chad Kolod made May 27 at 2015 11:36 AM

SPC Chad Kolod — Wed, 27 May 2015 11:36:44 -0400

I play my drums to relax. Helps me let go and focus.

Response by MSgt E. W. Forbess made May 27 at 2015 11:40 AM

MSgt E. W. Forbess — Wed, 27 May 2015 11:40:39 -0400

Well, you've connected to another detector driver - nothing like putting your brain on cruise control for an hour or two...

Response by SSG Jack Scott made Aug 7 at 2022 2:14 PM

SSG Jack Scott — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 14:14:00 -0400

Sailing in the Gulf of Mexico