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| Courtesy of Deborah Ann Klenzman |
Brace yourself, place yourself and pace yourself! Summer is upon us. Memorial Day Weekend, the Official Unofficial Start of Summer is here. Load up the boat, pack your swimsuit and get outside for a summer of adventure and fun. Not sure where to start? We have some great tips on ways to make this summer unforgettable. So as Dr. Seuss said,“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way.”
Make Memories
Social media essentially took over our lives and the selfie is now part of every outside outing. But, shooting a good Instagram photo with your camera phone is harder than it looks. Photographer Deborah Ann Klenzman suggests shooting from different angles. "Don't settle for just an ordinary shot," said Klenzman. "Try a photo from above looking down on your subject or lie on the floor and shoot up. Experiment with your filters on your camera phone or on Instagram. She also suggests catching all the events of your vacation, even the difficult moments. "If your car breaks down and you have to hitchhike, take a photo of the guy who gave you a ride. If your ride from the airport falls through and you end up on a city bus take some pictures of the unexpected adventure. These are memories we don't normally think to take pictures of, but they can be fun things to share and look back on." Progressive Portraits
Kayaking 101
What's not to love about gliding across a glassy stretch of the lake as your kayak knifes through the water as you escape the hustle and bustle. It's true anyone can rent a kayak and begin to paddle right away. However, most don't even bother to take a class to learn the basic skills needed to bravely and safely paddle a kayak.
"By the end of the 3-hour class after we learned the basics," said Current Adventure Kayaking School & Trips student Joyce Molthen, "I was confident in my basic skills, so much so that I wanted to go right out and buy a kayak and go to the lake every day. The complete serenity of the kayaking experience and enjoying nature in the midst of a large city is a dream come true for me. I’ve already signed up for another class." Current Adventures
Ride A River
From big water rapids to calm lazy flow, a river experience is a summer must for those seeking adventures, recreation and wildlife viewing along a watery trail. It's said, you cannot step into the same river twice, so expect something different each time.
"I love river paddling so much because it is never the same experience," said Aqua-Bound's and Bending Branches' Brian Boyea, "Because of all the variables that change from trip to trip (weather, water levels, scenery, paddling buddies, etc.) Each trip out on the river is a new and exciting adventure." Aqua-Bound, Bending Branches, American Rivers.
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| Courtesy of Dave Gieseke |
You don't need a time machine to take a blast in the past. By visiting State Historic Parks and National Historic Sites you can charge at Gettysburg, head westward along the Oregon Trail or look for gold in Calfornia. Understanding history is best done by walking the ground of where it happened. "History isn’t always pretty. In fact, America’s past is pockmarked with warts" said My National Parks Project blogger Dave Gieseke, "But if you really want to know why life is how it is today, go to a historical park. Every time I visit a historical site I learn something new, something that has a direct influence on today’s world." My National Parks Project, US Park Service
Pedal Off The Path
"It's very exciting and kind of intimating," said Any Mountain's Richard Chapman when you turn your bike off the pavement for the first time. You’re on a bicycle riding now on dirt and rocks and over all types of terrain which can be nerve-wracking and terrifying all at the same time. "But it's always fun," added Chapman, "You can increase your fitness, lose some weight and live a healthy lifestyle." So brush on your bike repairs in case of an untimely flat, strap on your helmet and hold on tight, it's going to a bumpy ride. Any Mountain
Rock The Rock
Looking for fitness, fun and along with a rush of adrenaline? Look up and never look down. Rock climbing is a perfect fit. Rock climbing or bouldering as some of the daredevil climbers call it is enjoyed by clans of everyday adventures across the country. "Climbing is not only an exercise for the body but an excellent exercise for the mind." said climber Chris Waller-Bennett, "Not only do you have to climb, you have to create a plan in your head executing a sequence of moves you want to make. It's like piecing together a puzzle"
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| Courtesy of Bayside Adventure Sports |
Walk To A Waterfall
"Twisting through the thorn-thick underbrush, scratched and exhausted, one turns suddenly to find an unexpected waterfall, not half a mile from the nearest road, a spot so hard to reach that no one comes. A hiding place, a shrine for dragonflies and nesting jays." is how American poet Michael Dana Gioia described his trek to a hidden waterfall. Whether on a long hike or a short walk there is no better reward at the end of the path than the spectacular sight of a waterfall. State and national parks from the Blue Ridge and the Great Smoky Mountains to Yosemite offer beautiful and inspiring views of cascading water. Stay on the trails and observation decks, watch your footing rocks can be slippery and never lean over the ledge at the top of the falls. Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains, Explore Minnesota, Tahoe
Snack On S'mores
Don't rough it. Glamp it by topping of your campfire with the perfect s'more. "S'more are crucial for any campout. What's a good good camp out without the best dessert?" said camping mom Christy Harris Bryant, "You have three ways to go with your marshmallow combinations, (Graham cracker, Hershey's Chocolate Bar or get wild and crazy and use Reese's Peanut Butter Cups) raw, toasted, or the third option is where you can put on all of the combinations together in a foil packet, put it on your campfire and cook it up. But you have to pay close attention because the golden rule with s'mores is. Never burnt, never burnt, Nobody wants a burnt s'more." Canoeroots
Get Star Struck
Staying up late sprawled out on the ground and taking in the night sky has become increasingly harder to do from the comfort of our own backyards. It’s estimated that two-thirds of the country can’t see the Milky Way anymore. Only wilderness areas offer the luxury of stargazing with boundless dark skies to truly see the constellations, The Northern Lights and Perseid Meteor Shower.
"Experience the Perseid Meteor Shower and a glowing Sierra Full Moon from your kayak." said Current Adventures' Dan Crandall, who offers an annual trip to California's Loon Lake during the August peak of the meteor shower, "No light pollution, no crowds, only nature’s sounds and a huge sky above you." Current Adventures
