ORIGINAL: HNI_Christine

I have your typical outdoorsperson upbringing.
Grew up on the edge of an armpit of a city. My mom came here from Japan in the 50's. Her and my biological father divorced when I was about 2 years old. My step-dad got messed up in drugs and he and my older brothers were the biggest drug dealers in the area. We had a drug raid in '77, complete with a helicopter and dudes storming the house. My step-dad left the country for awhile. (I'm like in grade school during this time) My mom had to work two full time jobs. So, I was kind of onmy own. Thankfully, my house was in a 'nicer' area with woods and for a brief time, we even had a lake across the street. I spent all day and half the night out in the woods, by the lake and along the river. It was my escape from the 'real world'.

My biological father was a violent, abusive alcoholic, but he was also an outdoorsman. I saw him very rarely but he taught me how to skin critters, brain tan and the basics of hunting.

My mom grew up in a fishing village and taught me to fish and had me filleting fish when I was four.She was always supportive of my outdoors pursuits. So was my step dad before and after the drug years.