Crossing the Bifrost

As long as I can remember, I’ve loved being out of doors an out in nature. While that youthful appreciation of the outdoors never developed into epic trips to exotic and mysterious locales, it has fostered a sort of “layman’s adventurousness” that I’ve carried into my adult life and now aim to pass on to my children.

A big part of my outdoor adventures have always been my trusted Tilley hats, of which I now own three (excluding various caps and a toque) with my olive T3 being my go-to hat because I love its versatility.

My wife owns two Tilley hats of her own and appreciates the quality and sun-protection, although she’s less enthusiastic than I am in terms of wearing it all the time.

My three boys started with your now-discontinued “Top-Notch Toppers” (which by the way you should bring back because I get so many compliments on the Sand/Navy one my 2-year-old was passed down from his brothers) and the two oldest have since graduated to their denim “My First Tilleys” which they love, although I had to get crafty and add some snaps because they wanted to copy my T3's look. Once my oldest’s head gets a little tight in his current hat I’ll take him shopping for a Wanderer as the black snaps are very sharp and the weathered look is appealing.

I’ve turned many friends and family members into Tilley-wearers either through gifts or referrals, and my wife often jokes I should be a Tilley salesman, which is something I would consider were I not already well-entrenched in a rewarding career. Nevertheless I’m more than happy to spread the good word of Tilley to anyone who will listen.

Attached is a recent picture from a family trip to Hecla Island Provincial Park in Manitoba. My older boys, aged 4 and 6, were desperate for one last adventure before leaving for home. Happy to oblige, we hopped out of the van and explored the Grassy Narrows Marsh on the southern end of the island while snacking on some apples. This picture was taken on the boardwalk leading through the marsh to a deeper-water area where an observation post offers a stunning vista of marsh life. According to my photo’s geotag it says that we are in the Municipality of Bifrost, so I call this photo “Crossing the Bifrost”.

I hope you enjoy it. - John Russell