August Adventure Month: Day 2

Welcome to Aging Adventurist. I am attempting to do one adventure every day for the month of August, 31 days, 31 adventures, some big, some small, some physical, some mental. I hope you’ll come along, or join me!

Day 2: Monday, August 2
A stroll through Art in the Orchard, Easthampton, MA

For today’s August adventure, I took a local crosstown trip with my mother to Art in the Orchard at Park Hill Farm in Easthampton. This is a highly recommended local activity, a stroll through fruit orchards filled with outsized sculptures by regional artists. The walking is easy and parking is free. Donations accepted, and don’t pass up the chance to buy some fresh fruit on the way out!

Adventure: Walk through Art in the Orchard with my mother
Distance traveled: Drive 3 miles, slow stroll about a quarter mile total
Challenges: Enduring hot sun for an hour plus; making sure everyone is adequately hydrated and fueled for the activity (they weren’t)
Risks: Fainting from heat and hunger; overdosing on great art!
Difficulty scale 1-10: 1
Highlights: This is a perfect family activity. You can take as much time as you want, the orchards are large and spacious, not crowded, and offer big patches of shade. The art is delightfully diverse, interesting, colorful, alluring and intriguing. And the fruit is exquisite and sweet. Not to be missed.

August Adventure Month: Day I

Welcome to Aging Adventurist. I am attempting to do one adventure every day for the month of August, 31 days, 31 adventures, some big, some small, some physical, some mental. I hope you’ll come along, or join me!

Day I: Sunday, August 1
Sea kayaking, Cape Cod

My Day 1 adventure was a 5-mile kayak trip off of Mayo Beach in Wellfleet Bay, Cape Cod. It was an ideal, moderate outing to kick off my month of daily adventures – not too difficult, yet provided some minor thrills, beauty and conversation with seals, like this guy:

Adventure: Sea kayaking, Wellfleet, Cape Cod
Distance traveled: About 5 miles in 2 hours of paddling
Challenges: Navigating a strong incoming tide current/fighting 2-foot waves; traversing open water
Risks: Overturning in open water; drowning, obvs
Difficulty scale 1-10: 3.5
Highlights: Communing with seals in the middle of the bay. Floating in the sea (inlet). Gorgeous views of bay islands, wildlife and the distant shores. Decent shoulder workout when paddling against the tide.