Adventure

Growth and renewal through adventure and the call of the wild.

Discovering Oahu: A Journey Through Beauty, Flavor, and Adventure

December 8, 2024 Adventure

There’s a unique magic to Oahu that lingers long after you leave its shores. For Dharma and me, our recent one-week vacation to this Hawaiian island was not just a holiday—it was a celebration of family milestones, Thanksgiving, and our first-ever visit to Hawaii. The trip left us utterly captivated by the island’s charm, its vibrant culture, and its breathtaking natural beauty. A Culinary Tour de Force Oahu’s culinary scene was a feast for the senses. Among our standout experiencesRead More

Montreal: A Journey Through Culture, Cuisine, and History

July 13, 2024 Adventure

Montreal, a vibrant hub of Quebec’s cultural scene, welcomed us after our four-day adventure pedaling the P’tit Train du Nord across Quebec’s Laurentian region, from Mont-Laurier to Saint-Jérôme. Here’s an overview of some of the sites and activities from our trip. Day One:Upon arriving in Montreal, we spent a couple of hours exploring the Little Italy and Mile End neighborhoods. We visited places such as Marché Jean-Talon, the Drawn & Quarterly bookshop, and the original St. Viateur Bagel store. MarchéRead More

Cycling Adventure on the P’tit Train du Nord

July 5, 2024 Adventure

Recently, Dharma and I embarked on a four-day cycling adventure along the P’tit Train du Nord, a picturesque rail trail that winds through the heart of Quebec’s Laurentian region. This 200-kilometer (124-mile) trail, once a railway, has been transformed into a cyclist’s paradise, offering breathtaking scenery, charming villages, and unique accommodations. Over the course of four days, we experienced the best that this trail has to offer, from tranquil forest paths to vibrant town centers. Here’s an account of ourRead More

Experiencing Totality: The 2024 Solar Eclipse in Indianapolis

April 13, 2024 Adventure

On April 8, 2024, Dharma and I had the good fortune of watching our second total solar eclipse over the course of seven years. We had the pleasure of viewing this astronomical wonder, the Great North American Eclipse of 2024, from White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis. It was an unforgettable experience. In 2017, we traveled to Indian Boundary Lake in northern Tennessee’s Indian Boundary Recreation Area with friends to witness the Great American Eclipse. For approximately two minutesRead More

The Resurrection of Luna Luna, the Innovative Art Amusement Park

December 27, 2023 Adventure

The story behind the Luna Luna amusement park is almost too good to be true. After its celebrated opening in the 1980s, the amusement park featuring works by renowned visual artists all but disappeared until recently. Luna Luna was the brainchild of Austrian multimedia artist André Heller. Envisioned as the world’s first art amusement park, it brought together the talents of several prominent artists. Each artist was tasked with designing a ride or attraction, resulting in a park that wasRead More

Journey to the North: Exciting Adventures in Finland

November 26, 2023 Adventure

We just returned from an exciting and informative trip to Finland. My primary purpose for the trip was to attend the 2023 International Directors Forum on Science Engagement, organized by the European Network of Science Centres and Museums (Ecsite). The convening, hosted at Heureka in the Helsinki suburb of Vantaa, was attended by over 100 leaders of science institutions from six continents. Over three days, we collectively explored two pressing issues impacting our collective work: misinformation and the triple planetaryRead More

A Strenuous Ascent to the Summit of Whiteface & Esther Mountains

June 30, 2023 Adventure

Pursuing the ADK46 offers a unique set of challenges and rewards. Interestingly, these challenges and rewards often mirror each other. These mountains truly test both the body and the mind. Even though their elevation might not seem particularly high compared to the mountains out west, they nonetheless pose considerable challenges. The Adirondacks are exceptionally rugged, marked by steep pitches, muddy trails, and boulder-filled inclines. Introduce wet conditions to this mix, and these trails can quickly become treacherous. I was remindedRead More

Original Glamping: A Visit to Great Camp Sagamore

June 27, 2023 Adventure

My annual trip to the Adirondacks in upstate New York has become a cherished tradition. Currently, I am endeavoring to conquer the 46 High Peaks—a challenging quest given our home base in Michigan. Nonetheless, this ongoing mission affords us the chance to delve into the vastness of Adirondack State Park, which astoundingly exceeds the combined size of Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Parks. During this trip, we decided to indulge in a historical experience by spending a coupleRead More

Pedaling through History: A 335-Mile Bike Odyssey from Pittsburgh to D.C. via the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal

June 20, 2023 Adventure

I recently completed a 335-mile journey by bicycle from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. along the Great Allegheny Passage and the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal Towpath.

Deseret News Marathon

July 25, 2022 Adventure

On Saturday, July 23, I completed my third marathon of the year by running the Deseret News Marathon in Salt Lake City. According to the race organizers, “the Deseret News Marathon is the oldest road race in Utah and the 4th oldest marathon west of the continental divide.” Further, the marathon celebrates Utah’s unique cultural heritage. The route for this small race begins on Big Mountain (approximately 7,420 feet in elevation), descends around 3,200 feet through Emigration Canyon, and endsRead More