Chris enjoyed getting out on the water and wakeboarding, and he got very good at a new sport, wake surfing. After a day out on the lake we'd head back to the house and cook up a steak, pour a little Basil Hayden's, and get the cribbage board out. Yep, he usually would beat us at cribbage!

Chris' abundant love for all things outdoors radiated from his very being and you couldn't help but love it with him. I will always remember waking up before dawn to head out to the deer stand to watch the woods come alive; sitting by the fire during chilly autumn nights talking about what we saw during the day.

The first time I took my own Jeep for trail riding, Chris rode with me out to Badlands, making sure I understood what recovery equipment was needed, how to handle the Jeep on the trails, and watched out for me so I wouldn't break the Jeep! We could often be found at his home, just hanging out in the garage, talking about Jeeps and trails, camping and fishing, hunting, and life.

He was more than one of a kind and can never be replaced. I will think about him often, sending him love and light whenever I see a deer, or sunset, or clean-looking XJ, knowing he'll be looking down and smiling as well.

Until we meet again, my friend, I'll be missing you.