Wednesday, March 27, 2013

High Profile Adventure Camp 2013

Image courtesy of High Profile Adventures

My adventure this last weekend led me to YMCA Camp Benson in Mt. Carroll IL.  This was the 8th annual Adventure Camp hosted by High Profile Adventures L.L.C.. I was a participant in their second camp and have volunteered every year since.  The camp is geared toward people of all levels interested in adventure racing and adventure travel.  The camp includes lectures and hands on training in fixed ropes, rock climbing, kayak and canoe paddling, navigation with a map and compass, and an option of a 4 or 8 hour race the last day of camp.  This year for our ropes course we had rappelling, ascending, a zip-line,  a slack line and Tyrolean traverse across the Waukarusa River, and a climbing section.

This year we set a record for coldest camp yet, snowing on the last day!  Needless to say events had to be altered due to extremely cold water and a frozen Mississippi River.  No kayaking and rappelling into water this year!

Overlooking the Waukarusa River nestled in the heart of camp on Saturday morning.

One of the new camp additions this year was the "luge."  There are two giant drainage pipes that sit on the side of a hill.  All you need is a plastic sled, a helmet, and off you go!

This is what the volunteers get to do during the navigation lecture.  

Weeee!


After getting warmed up with a little fun we gathered some extra ropes to do some fine tuning at some of the rappel and ascending sites.

A view from our rappel station.  You can barely see the red slackline crossing the river over the island.  To the left of that in the corner you can see the white Tyrolean traverse cross the river too.

Our rappel from the base.

I'm a super jazzed belay instructor!  what what! | Image courtesy of John

Slackline!  |   Image courtesy of John

Wouldn't ya know it when we stopped in town for lunch at Charlies this is what they had on their wall!  HA! There were actually 4 bison on one wall in addition to the squirrels!

Robyn Benincasa  |  Photo courtesy of Robyn Benincasa

One of my most favorite parts of the weekend was hearing Robyn Benincasa's presentation.  Robyn is a World Champion Adventure Racer, 3 Time Guinness World Record Kayaker, San Diego Firefighter, Founder and CEO of Project Athena, an author, and she has had 5 hip replacements.  I can't even tell you how incredibly inspiring it is to hear her speak!  

If you would like to see some more photos or learn more about this totally rad camp check out High Profile Adventure Camp.

Love ya Bunches!!
~Megan

Friday, March 22, 2013

Epic Adventure: Ray's Indoor MTB Women's Weekend 2013

Last Friday I had the most epic of adventures!  My gal pal Sarah and I left at the crack of dawn to head to Ray's Indoor MTB Park in Milwaukee for Women's Weekend.  There was instruction in all sections of  the park by some extremely talented pro riders.  Did I mention it was FREE!?  How awesome is Ray!?  There were over 200 ladies at this event of all skill levels.  It was absolutely incredible to have the opportunity to ride with so many like-minded gals.  Everywhere you looked someone was challenging themselves to try something new or fine tune their technique.  It is hard to describe the awesomeness of being in such a supportive and empowering environment. 

The Gals and Coaches(I'm 3 rows back in the middle, pink shirt)  |  Photo courtesy of Rays

Pre-ride chat  |  Photo courtesy of DirtRag

Course map of Ray's MKE  |  Photo courtesy of Ray's

Looking into the sport section and the micro-rhythm section.

Conquering a skinny and I don't mean jeans.


Post Chipotle burrito chat at the pump track.

Thanks to Angela Brooks for posting this video!

Did I mention we did a little Harlem Shake in the pump track!?  HAHAHA!  I'm biking in the first part with the pink sleeves!  Epic RIGHT!?!?

Post Harlem Shake cool-down!


So right before the HS I tried the pump track for the first time and HOLY BANANA SPLIT it was love at first ride!!  I seriously can't stop thinking about this!

DirtRagMag did an awesome article on the event!!  Check out what my pal Becky had to say about it!


I most definitely plan to go back next year.  I think I will have enough courage to try the jump tracks and foam pit!  I feel like every time I try and explain how incredible that day was I don't do it justice.  Such a great place to ride, incredible people, and just so much frickin' FUN!

Have a great weekend friends!! 

Love ya bunches!
~Megan

Thursday, March 21, 2013

SPRING!

I wanted to take a beautiful photograph of something spring-like happening around here to celebrate the first day of spring.  I thought my only options were the winter tundra or my dog shedding his winter coat.  Photogenic right!?  Nope.  Then I thought I don't need to take a photo because nothing says "HEY SPRING" like a my brothers head on the body of a happy spring goat!  Delightful.

Photo courtesy of my brother's clever friend and the interwebs.

HAPPY SPRING!
Love ya bunches!
~Megan

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Wrigley the Snow-Dog

Have you ever seen a dog make a snow angel?


HaHaHa!!!

Love ya bunches!
~ Megan


Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Orange ya glad it's Tuesday

Despite the big fluffy snowflakes dancing outside my window yesterday I have spring on the brain!!  Lately I have been day dreaming about a warm bike ride to check out the fresh blooms.  Stopping along the way to enjoy a lazy picnic, indulging my senses in the brand new spring.  By far I am looking forward to my most favorite part of the season; stepping outside and feeling that delightful warm sun for the first time.





 





I have an EXTREMELY exciting adventure from this weekend that I can't wait to share!  Stay tuned!

Love ya bunches!
~Megan

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Etsy Prints I'm Swooning Over

Tiny Battle  |  sadlyharmless

Tipi  |  anavicky

Teepee Watercolor Prints  |  AudreyDeFord

Sun's Wings Tepee  |  anavicky

Campout Print  |  hillarybird

Wigwam Hotel Route 66  |  eleven12design

Love ya bunches!
~Megan

Friday, March 1, 2013

Yay Snow!!

I really really really love snow.  The last few days our area has received the most snow all season and I just love it!!  I can't get enough snowshoeing.  Seriously love it!  Have I mentioned before that I love snow?  The other day during my snowshoe adventure I was the only person out there and it kind of felt like I had the whole world all to myself.  It is incredibly tranquil.  It is like a whole new world in the snow.


 
Do you see what I see?

Haha!  Channeling my mom, I created a little hilarity along the way. :)


Have a wonderful weekend!
Love ya bunches!
~Megan