The Story of Skinny and the 411
This isn’t your average adventure post — it’s the story behind why Skinny’s 411 exists.
It’s not polished, filtered, or sugar-coated. It’s the honest truth about where I came from, what I’ve been through, and why I’m chasing a life that feels real again.
If you’ve ever wondered how Skinny started or why I keep saying “Get Outside and Play!”, this is where it all began.
🏚️ The Story of Skinny and the 411
Why “Skinny”?
For those of you wondering, “Why Skinny?” — here’s the quick and dirty version.
(Not really quick or dirty, but it sounded funny.)
Back in high school, the guys I hung around with played sports, rode motorcycles, and drove cool cars. I was the smallest dude in the group — that’s how I got the nickname.
I didn’t play typical high school sports and was too broke for a motorcycle or a nice car. My old truck was about all I had going for me — a ’78 Chevy that I still think was pretty cool.
Fast forward 30 years, and I still use the name, even though I haven’t seen those guys in a long time. Life took me to a different city, and as it happens, decades rolled by while I got caught up in the grind — working, paying bills, surviving, but not really living.
Now that I’ve crossed 50, it’s time to “get back” to life and worry a little less about work (nice thought, right?).
With help from anyone interested in the journey — or crazy enough to tag along — I started Trickling Falls Country Emporium (tfallsce.com), where I sell the things I make: scented products, woodwork, and the occasional antique or collectible.
That venture led to Skinny’s 411 — an alter ego that lets me share the world from a different perspective. Skinny reminds me of a better time — when things weren’t so “flocked up.”
(And by flock, I mean there seem to be too many blindly following sheep in humanity these days.)
With all the random thoughts bouncing around in my head, is it any wonder why I ramble the way I do?
Squirrel!
So many shiny squirrels...
The Making of Trickling Falls
When I started Trickling Falls, I didn’t really know where it was headed. I just knew I wanted people to get interested in the things I was crafting — scents and woodwork.
That’s when Skinny came back to mind, and I ran with it.
On the Trickling Falls site, Skinny adds his “two cents” through Skinny’s Thoughts and blog posts — philosophy, humor, and honest takes on life.
As Skinny grew, I opened this site — Skinny’s 411 — to bring him to life, sharing not only what I make, but what I learn, and helping others rediscover nature.
Southern Indiana is full of hiking, biking, and camping spots. Some are official parks, while others are those “pull into the ditch and park” kind of hidden gems. If you don’t know about them, you’ll never find them — so I’m here to help with that.
Why “The 411”?
As most people know, 411 used to be the number for information (you’d dial it to reach an operator).
So why Skinny’s 411?
Because Skinny’s got a lot of information to share — real, lived-in advice about getting back outdoors and reconnecting with life.
People of all ages have gotten so wrapped up in modern routines that they’ve forgotten what lies beyond the asphalt and drywall.
I want to take you outside — to inspire you to step away from the noise and start enjoying the real world again.
“So Skinny, how do you plan to get me interested?”
Simple answer?
Inspiration.
I’ve worked a lot of jobs over the years, and every one had its pros and cons. The hardest part was realizing that no matter how much I worked, there never seemed to be time left to actually live.
I’m not saying all jobs suck — my current one’s okay — but when your days blur together into nothing but shifts, bills, and sleep, something gets lost.
Working on something joyful gives meaning to an otherwise meaningless grind.
That’s what this whole project is about — building something that not only gives me purpose but brings joy to others, too.
Starting a business is easy.
Keeping it going and financing it until it grows — that’s another story entirely.
The Real Inspiration
After 15 years at a factory job, I was laid off. One Friday I went from making about $550 a week to under $300.
Reality slap.
By then, I’d already lost my house, car, and most of my belongings to bankruptcy. I was living in a three-room apartment with nothing but determination.
The one thing I did manage to keep was a small piece of property — so I decided to “camp” there until life got better.
Sixteen years later… I’m still camping.
My situation’s improved — I pay cash for everything now (once bitten, twice shy about loans). But the routine stayed the same:
work, pay bills, build something, eat, sleep, repeat.
How’s that for inspiration?
“Skinny, you suck. Where’s the real inspiration?”
Fair enough.
Here it is.
Living debt-free is tough. There’s no instant gratification, just patience and persistence.
Over the years I’ve built up a “junkyard” of materials around my place — stuff that’ll someday come together into something useful. 2025 is the year that all those pieces finally get assembled.
Check out the Projects section for progress shots — you’ll see what I mean.
Back when I drove a semi hauling coal and gravel, I spent 12 hours a day on the road and 45 minutes each way commuting. That kind of schedule kills motivation to do anything after work.
It was during that time I came up with an idea — a simple exercise routine for people who sit too much:
Bex, Chex, Sex.
Bex = Bed Exercises
Chex = Chair Exercises
Sex = Standing Exercises (and yes, “Sex” sounds better than “Stex”)
Combined with eating more whole foods, vitamins, and supplements, those routines helped me feel alive again.
“Dammit, Skinny — inspire me already!”
Okay, okay — everyone needs a backstory, right? Here’s the plan.
The exercises didn’t exactly resurrect me, but they helped me want to live again. Before all the layoffs and road miles, I was in the best shape of my life. Weekends meant camping somewhere new — anywhere but home.
Then I got a “real job,” and freedom went out the window.
In 2025, I’m making a change. The plan is to scale back full-time work to part-time, focus on Trickling Falls, and dive full-time into creating, writing, and getting back outdoors.
The goal? Build a community around shared experiences — nature, creativity, and sanity.
The Long Road Ahead
If you want to get outside more, start by making a plan.
Work it. Get fired up. Get started.
Motivation isn’t easy, and it never shows up on time. But small, steady progress adds up.
Try the Bex, Chex, Sex exercises.
Eat more real food.
Change your habits slowly but consistently.
It won’t happen overnight, but one day you’ll look back and realize you’ve changed your life.
Everyone’s path looks different — some are content where they are, others crave something more.
If you’re the latter, follow along. Maybe something here will spark your own shift.
The Takeaway
The 411 “Outings & Adventures” might start slow — at least until the studio’s done — but once the new routine sets in, everything will fall into place.
Plan big. Start small. Work hard. Stay consistent.
Motivation is like jumping into a cold pool — it sucks at first, but feels great once you start moving.
Take the plunge.
Crawl. Walk. Run.
Each goal you hit will make the next one easier. Celebrate the small wins. Keep going.
Live life to the extreme before it disappears, or you’ll be left wondering what could’ve been.
Work it. Live it. Love it. Own it.
This is your life — and only you know how you want to live it.
“Damn, Skinny… that was some deep sh—”
— Until next time, Get Outside and Play!
