ABOUT ME. 

I'M A LAWYER, HUSBAND, FATHER.  BUT I'M ALSO A FISHERMAN, AN ADVENTURER, AND A MAKER OF THINGS. TRYING TO FIND THE BALANCE BETWEEN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FORMER AND THE FREEDOM OF THE LATTER IS WHAT MY WEBSITE IS REALLY ABOUT. 

There are lots of travel blogs out there by single twenty-somethings or younger couples without kids.  I love to read them and dream myself of wandering from place to place.   But me and most of my friends have ties that bind, responsibilities that can't be ignored. How do you reconcile the two? 

How this Website will help you. 

If you've ever wanted to learn how to travel light and fast, or to get away for longer periods of time despite all of your responsibilities, you're in the right place. This site will give you tested tips, advice, and suggestions on home bases, camping gear, destinations, campgrounds, and fishing holes. 

I hope that you find some inspiration in some of these pages or pictures, and start adventuring cheaper, better, and smarter. To help you out, I'll periodically post on all sorts of topics: 

• Campground reviews.  Campgrounds are usually my base camps. They are fun, cheap, and located next to some beautiful places. 
• Adventure camping hacks.  You're getting ready to walk a path that others have walked before. You don't have to learn everything from scratch. 
• Destination guides. I'll give you honest impressions of adventure destinations, lodging, food, activities, and the vibe. And, most importantly, the fishing report. 

The Revelation

A few years ago an epiphany on this came to me. Let me tell you about it. 

My job as a personal injury attorney inevitably leads to long, intense trials. In 2009 one of those trials was a toxic pesticide poisoning case that left two beautiful children severely brain damaged.  The trial itself was six weeks long.  The prep lasted for months before, and was intensely unrelenting.  During the final weeks of prep and the whole trial I wasn't able to work on much else in my office.  

It was like I was gone completely. 

When the trial was over (we won!) I put my head above water and expected my office to be a mess. But it wasn't.  My wonderful team had kept everything rolling without me.  All the deadlines had been met.  All my clients were happy. No one was the wiser that I hadn't been in the mix. 

And then it hit me - If I can be out of the office for a six week trial, why can't I take a month long trip? I'm not permanently irreplaceable, but I am totally dispensable for weeks or months at a time. 

If I can be out of the office for a six week trial, why can't I be gone a month to do something personal that's important and meaningful? 

I marked out the calendar for a month a year away. People said I was crazy.  My family, my staff, and especially other lawyers. But it worked out beautifully.  I explored Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, fishing and tent camping all along the way. And now I do it every year for at least a month.  

In 2014 I bought a 4 x 4 travel van from Sportsmobile, the best investment I ever made.  Now I can leave on short notice and stay independent (but somewhat comfortable) no matter what the destination. 

So this website and blog is dedicated to all of you out there who have the hearts of adventurers but the obligations of parenthood, businesses, and family. There is a way to balance the two of them, and to find a way to take back your adventurous spirit. 

Added Bonus:  My Unofficial Work Bio. 

WORK BIO

Matthew J. Schad was raised in a log cabin goat farm in the hills of southern Indiana.  After a disastrous stint as a whitewater guide in Colorado he earned his degree in Classical Greek from Indiana University.  With limited career options he attended The Florida State University College of Law.  After law school he joined the U.S. Army JAG Corps but failed to figure out how to get the government to subsidize any of his student loans.  He did, however, see courtroom action as trial counsel overseas in the Panama Canal.  Since 1998 he’s practiced with his father at Schad & Schad in New Albany. He handles personal injury cases with an emphasis on toxic torts.  Matt has tried over 50 jury trials.     At any given time he’s probably fly fishing rather than working.