"I was lucky and had the means to leave the city a lot. I spent almost every summer in Western Massachusetts and New England. Many kids got stuck in the city. I was exposed to rivers, mountains, and the woods. I volunteered for trail crews and became a river sherpa for an outfitter in Maine. We would set up all the camps and kitchens. I would help the river and camp guides as well as cook on many multi-day trips in Maine and Canada. We were cooking fish straight from the river. Baking, and preparing fantastic entrees and desserts using Dutch ovens."