brianvigue.bsky.social

Man and son wearing bike helmets posing for picture

Map and stats from a mountain bike ride

As one of the coaches for Hunter’s mountain bike team, my job is to ensure no kids crash. I did my job well tonight because the only one crashing was me, twice, on the same exact curve. I think I broke my chest. It hurt to lift the phone up for this after-practice selfie. #mountainbiking #cycling

Hopefully you can get a chance to see the spectacle that surrounds the Tour de France.

Man in scuba gear standing in a lake

Graduation Day! Last dive completed so I’m now a certified Open Water Scuba Diver!

So, if you’ve ever wanted to get back at someone but couldn’t because you would have had to be underwater for a long time to do it, I’m open for side jobs. DM me for a price quote. No questions asked. #scuba #water

Man and woman docking a dinghy sailboat

Man pulling the bow line of a small dinghy sailboat carrying another man and woman inside.

Proof that I managed to keep my boat afloat and dock to end my first sailing lesson. At this point I was SO relieved to be out of the 20 mph wind. It’s hard to believe fatigue, adrenaline and fun could come from sailing in what looks a floating 1970s bathtub. #sailing #sailboat #lakemendota

Man floating in lake wearing wetsuit and holding a snorkel mask and snorkel

I just successfully finished my first open water scuba dive! I’ve learned two things. First, it’s very cold at the bottom of Devils Lake. Second, if you want to try something new and cool but feel like you can’t do it, fuck your feelings and just do it. #scuba #scubadiving

Good stuff! I’m with ‘ya.

Man and his son in lake wearing their snorkeling gear with son holding up a shell

Man and young son sitting in kayak

Young boy swimming in lake with PFD on

Otto said he just wanted to ride in the kayak and not get wet. By the end of the trip he was all out snorkeling trying to find cool stuff he hoped people accidentally dropped into the water. Also, this clean water brought to you by wetlands! #snorkeling #kayaking #swimming #wetlands

I’m a scuba diver!

I quit drinking on 10/29/2020. Before then, I would never have believed I could do this.

But having an amazing, supportive family and working hard to improve my mental health has changed my entire outlook on life.

Now, on to get my Deep Water Wreck Diver certification! #scuba

UPDATE: Survived first day of scuba class! Breathing while swimming underwater is wild. Being a fish must be AWESOME!

Takeaway from today?: If you’ve always wanted to try something cool but told yourself only “other” people can do that, tell yourself to shut the fuck up. #scuba #scubadiving

You’re looking at a very nervous dude about to get into the pool for his first scuba lesson. If, during the dive, I ascend faster than 30 feet/minute and accumulate enough nitrogen in my tissues to die from decompression sickness, tell Carla she has my blessing to remarry! #scuba #diving #diverdown

Man sitting in van after a 34 mile bike ride with a Trek Bikes shirt on and bikes in the back of the van.

I had just ridden my bike 34 miles at the Trek 100 when I took this picture. It reminds me how doing a physical activity you love, and mine is cycling, is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to improve your mental and physical health. It’s like magic. #bikesky #cycling

Seeing wetlands as a flood solution drove bipartisan support in Wisconsin. Why not elsewhere? Damaging floods are now so common in the states that border the Mississippi River, including Wisconsin, that the issue can’t be ignored.

I’m not saying this just because I’m quoted in it, but thanks, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, for this great article telling the story of how valuable wetlands are for birds, fish, wildlife and people. They’re tremendously underappreciated resources. 🌎 #habitat #wetlands #water #birds #conservation

I’ve lobbied lawmakers for policies that result in better habitat. I’ve talked the talk, but I’ve decided to walk the walk! I’m now certified to work Prescribed Fire Burn Squads! This mimics wildfire’s beneficial effects on landscapes for plants, insects, birds, wildlife and fish in nearby waters. 🌎

Yup, I get it. Gotta keep a careful watch on that stuff.

I’ve lobbied lawmakers for policies that result in better habitat. I’ve talked the talk, but I’ve decided to walk the walk! I’m now certified to work Prescribed Fire Burn Squads! This mimics wildfire’s beneficial effects on landscapes for plants, insects, birds, wildlife and fish in nearby waters.

The boys were tired from tests all day, but came to life when they learned Governor Evers used to be a teacher! Thanks, Governor, for getting them fired up about working hard in school & for welcoming them into your home! I’m glad they see how much you value your relationship with Indian Country.

Man holding a rake

A bunch of rakes

Man standing in front of wildlife refuge sign

1st day of Burn Squad training to learn to apply fire to landscapes to restore habitat. As a greenhorn, I’m now in charge of this piece of fire suppression equipment.
#conservation #birds #habitat #water #prescribedburn #burnsquad

Dog waiting to go into dog park and picture of leather fire boots

I’m getting certified to work on a Burn Squad to apply fire to landscapes to restore habitat. My new leather fire boots were too clean so Champ and I went to the dog park to scuff them up so the other kids wouldn’t make fun of me on the first day of school! #fire #birds #habitat #conservation

There’s no doubt it’s an incredibly challenging time to be out here lobbying in DC. But there’s two things that give me hope. The first is that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. The second is that I’ve seen how bipartisan conservation can be. You can’t get support if you don’t ask. #conservation

The boys and I kicked off our first of many-to-come workouts in our no-frills, old-timey gym tonight! They were laughing at me because I could only do a dozen incline sit-ups and ONE push-up! Dicks.

@themilwaukeebucks.bsky.social win!!! #milwaukeebucks #nba #basketball

Thank you, Governor Tony Evers, for prioritizing conservation in your state budget proposal, including a major investment of $100 million annually, over ten years, for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, which is needed to protect bird habitat across our state! #conservation #habitat

If you see Hunter & Otto, congratulate them on learning how to use a map and compass to navigate through the woods this afternoon! We’ll never get lost again!!! And there was hot chocolate at the end. #orienteering #outdoors

I was thrilled to join WI’s hunting and fishing groups at the State Capitol to brief legislators & staff about funding the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program. It’s critical for providing habitat for birds/fish/wildlife and giving us all places to enjoy the outdoors. #birds #habitat #conservation

Carla got us our Super Bowl Casetta Kitchen and Counter sub! I was gonna eat it all myself but I couldn’t finish it before the boys managed to see it. #superbowl #notlikeus #subsandwich #gobirds

Proud Dad moment: Hunter was telling us about egg roulette when I told him don’t ever play Russian Roulette with a real gun. Then, between bites of toast, Otto, completely unprompted, quoted a Johnny Cash lyric at us! (single tear of happiness falls from my eye) #folsomprisonblues #johnnycash

Man holding wooden cane with top carved to resemble duck head

Wooden cane with handle shaped like duck’s head

Don’t get jealous of my look, but check out the sweet cane I won at the Wisconsin Ducks Unlimited convention last weekend! DU does amazing work restoring wetlands throughout the state. I’m a member and you should be, too. #habitat #conservation #birds #wetlands #ducksunlimited #gopackgo #packers

Superficial scrape on right ankle.

Thoughts and prayers up for me. I managed to get into a bike accident while doing a virtual ride on a stationary bike in my basement. Might be less dangerous riding in the ice and snow outside! #roadrash #Zwift #Wahoo #redbadgeofcourage #cycling

PSA: If you’re asking yourself if you should fight one horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses, remember this is what you might be squaring up against. #ducksunlimited

Tonight, we tried out Hunter’s Xmas wood burning kit. We’re working on making counterfeit $5 bill plates. Don’t tell the US Treasury.