Anyone who's lived in Grand Junction for a while may recognize me as the former spokesperson for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, a position I held for more than two decades. During that time, I produced a weekly TV program called “Bill's Backyard.”

It was a dirty job, but someone had to do it.

It took tons of “field research.” I followed wildlife biologists (and the wildlife they cared for) with a camera. I produced stories about wildlife in Western Colorado – from lions, bears and bighorn sheep (oh my!) to sandhill cranes, river otters and endangered fish.

After “retiring” from the state in 2001, I just couldn't go cold turkey from all that. I'm out every week of the year exploring this beautiful country. For the past seven or eight years, I've written a weekly hiking column for the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel about some of my adventures – and sometimes misadventures!

I also put together a hiking book, of sorts. It's called “Haggerty's Hikes in a Bottle,” and features 52 hikes from Colorado's Continental Divide west to the slot canyons of southeastern Utah. But it's not what you'd call a regular ol’ hiking book. That's because each hike is printed on an individual sheet of semi-waterproof paper and rolled into a high-quality water bottle (available at the Botanical Gardens, as a matter of fact). Take the book out, pull out a page, fill the bottle with water and … Take a Hike! Get it? (All proceeds from the book, by the way, go directly to the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, the crown jewel of the Colorado Riverfront Trail and a must-see stop on any visit to Grand Junction.)

Anyway, the point is, I've spent a LOT of time outdoors. You know, field research. And all of that research has finally spilled over into this blog – so you can come along with me on some of these great trips through the awe-inspiring landscape surrounding Grand Junction.

Each week, I'll let you know about yet another spectacular drive, great hike, rafting trip, backcountry ski tour, gnarly mountain bike ride or smooth road bike trip that will help you discover the area’s splendor and grandeur.

We'll hike and fly-fish on the largest flattop mountain in the Northern Hemisphere – the Grand Mesa – that dominates the eastern Grand Junction skyline. We'll drive, ride, hike and climb up, under, through and on top of the spectacular Colorado National Monument that forms the western boundary of the Grand Valley.

Here in Grand Junction, you're at the center of it all … and I'm psyched to help show you the way. Some of the hikes and rides are close to town. Some are a short distance away. Some are perfect for novice outdoorsmen and women. Others should only be attempted by experts. Some of my hikes are really “walks” or “climbs,” but others may be labeled “death marches,” as my 16-year-old son will attest. I'll try to label them for you, though, so you’ll know just what you’re getting yourself into.

So stay tuned and check back each week to see where to experience your next Grand Junction adventure.