Presentations

What motivates a middle-aged woman to brave extreme weather, precarious river crossings, swarms of sandflies and epic mud? Breathtaking scenery and a renewed sense of wonder. Join Blissful Hiker Alison Young for stories and images of her spectacular solo tramp of New Zealand’s 3,000 kilometer “Long Pathway,” Te Araroa

A former professional flutist and Minnesota Public Radio host, voice artist Alison Young is the Blissful Hiker. She’s backpacked on six continents and this past year, walked New Zealand’s “long pathway” Te Araroa and the Pacific Crest Trail.

Her trail name is Singet. Find our more at blissfulhiker.com

The Bay of Loreto Marine Park is a protected national park area on the Eastern side of the Baja peninsula. It includes 5 desert islands in the Sea of Cortez. It is home to a wide variety of sea birds, marine life and desert plant life. Blue whale migrations can be seen, as well as gray whales, fin whales, and humpback whales. Hikers on the island cliffs can look down and see pods of dolphins playing and feeding. Nights tend to be clear and starry. Sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, desert landscapes, and clear water make for wonderful camping, snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking. This trip occurred in February and early March of 2020, just before the pandemic took hold.

Fran Lesicko has been a Rover since 2007 and is an avid outdoors person. She loves camping, hiking, and sea kayaking.

We will be waterproofing an old, leaky Rover tent – sealing the seams, and treating both the rain fly and the underside of the tent using products commonly found at local outdoor sports stores.

I’m not an expert but have done it enough to learn a trick or two.

Presented by Rob Chase

Rover, Andrea Prichard is currently living in Bolivia. She will present from there. More to come.

Yoga is a great way to take a break and get energized for the next leg of a long hike, bike ride or paddle. It can be done in the outdoors without any equipment – a mat is truly optional. You probably know that yoga increases balance, flexibility, and strength, but did you also know it protects the spine, cartilage and joints so we can continue to pursue an active lifestyle?

Tammy N. (5 year Rover member) will lead us in some yoga poses and stretches over Zoom. You can do these in your home or your backyard.

Using outdoor adventure sports like paddling, orienteering, camping, cycling, and rock climbing, Chicago Adventure Therapy (CAT) works with Chicago youth to have a lasting positive impact on their communities and become healthy adults by teaching effective social skills and strong leadership skills, increasing participants’ sense of possibility, and fostering a sense of empowerment and personal responsibility.

Summer is a great time for Star Gazing. Suresh will be presenting on night objects easily seen in summer. More to come.