Topic 1 of 7: Adventures: Adding to the balance sheet of life

Adventure captures our imagination because it challenges us, forces us to dig deep, changes us in enduring ways. In most cases, adventure is not a special moment in time, but rather a process to learn to look at things in new ways and to develop a plan for concerted actions. Adventure reframes how we see the world and thus how we show up.

Recently I had such an adventure in climbing Devils tower. When Helga first proposed the idea in 2023, I was doubtful. But a group formed and started taking small steps. We talked to people who had climbed it, vetted climbing guides, learned training protocols, and much more. In sum, a shared process for "getting ready" evolved. Long story short, after months of study, planning, and a ton of training, I found myself on the summit of Devils Tower with my amazing climbing buddies. It was a magical moment ... a defining moment and the culmination of a process for growth.

Devils Tower adventure changed me in ways that will echo in time. But adventures are idiosyncratic. Each of us have different adventures and processes to advance our frontiers. This is the charm of adventure and why adventure adds to our balance sheet of life.

Photo right to left: Ashton, Helga, Jon, climbing guides, and me after summiting Devils Tower June 2024

Topic 2 of 7: Recent adventures

Lots of things going on these past weeks

1. Jon J. , Keith, and Jon Mario: In Boundary Waters Canoe Area Superior National Forest.

2. David: Rafting the Salmon River in Washington State with other Medallion trekkers

3. Ashton: Barracuda fishing in Caribbean

4. Mike: Summiting Mt Hood in Oregon with other Medallion trekkers

5. Brack: Riding with family and friends in Grand Tetons, Wyoming

6. Helga: Hiking along Cadini di Misurina hiking trails, Italty

   More photos here

Topic 3 of 7: Books and a beverage:

'Mythos' and 'The Eight Limbs of Yoga'

Wednesday 8/7/24 and 9/4/24: 6:00 PM CT.  Info / RSVP here

Join us for an engaging discussion of the ideas from these books. We will meet at 6655 Delmar Blvd, University City, MO 63130. The goal is to share ideas and consider insights that can be draw from the books. Bring your preferred beverage and any snacks. After the book discussion, we plan go to a Delmar loop restaurant for a bite.

It is not necessary to have read the book to participate. Free and open to all who register.

Topic 4 of 7: Upcoming MAC member activities

Engaging discussion and high spirits are the guiding principles for these activities. Free and fun.

8/3/24: Hike / ruck Forest Park

8/9/24: Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness 2024 outbrief - Zoom

8/15 - 8/18: Round Spring Ozark National scenic Riverways adventure

8/20/24: Social hour and event planning

9/7/24: Tour of Mark Twain Birthplace

9/21/24: Bike ride with Chuck

More info and register here

Topic 5 of 7: Upcoming MAC Fellow Trips

As a non-profit, Medallion Adventure programs are supported by our donors. Donors who support Medallion with a $50/year subscription are referred to as 'Fellows. Fellows can organized DIY trips and can participate in trips organized by other Fellows.

Upcoming Fellow trips include:

1. 9/13 - 9/15/24 Colorado Alpine Weekend, Breckenridge CO (Third annual)

2. November 2024 Grand Canyon Trip, Arizona (Third annual) - date to be determined

3. 12/26 to 1/2/25 Val-d`Isere Ski Trip, France

4. Many more being planned for 2025

Topic 6 of 7: Exploring Creativity with Henry Biggs and Michael Silverman

Join us for an active discussion and demonstration of creativity, including lyrical visualizations as well as some tickling of the ivories.

Time / date: 6:30 PM on 8/29/24

Location: Chase Plaza

More info and rsvp

***Mike Silverman, acclaimed pianist. ***Michael Silverman is an American pianist, keyboard player and composer. He performs and records classical, jazz and New Age music. His touring band, Bach to the Future, performs the classics such as Beethoven symphonies and Bach fugues in a variety of styles, including jazz, rock and rhythms from around the world. He is among the most downloaded solo pianists in the world, with 12 billion downloads and streams, he has 14 number one albums in the Classical, World Music and New Age Charts. https://www.michaelsilvermanpiano.com/biography

***Henry Biggs, experimental lyricist, ***Henry Biggs’ has spent over thirty years exploring lyrical limits as Headmess. His most recent work, the musical Trompe L'Oeil ("optical illusion"), continues that exploration. Trompe L’Oeil began off-Broadway in ‘21 and has now had two successful runs in London ('22, '23), the most recent production nominated for 3 Offies (Off-West End awards). The musical will be coming to St Louis for 2 shows Oct 2-3 at the Sheldon. https://www.linkedin.com/in/hbiggs/

Topic 7 of 7: Fellow spotlight - Sarah Shipley

From Sarah's MAC profile:

"I’ve ridden a century in Louisville, KY (100-mile bike ride), had monkeys steal my water at The Rock of Gibraltar, camped in Normandy France (I’ve never experienced wind that could flatten a tent), got lost for hours in the Drielandaen Labyrinth, wound my way up and down the East Coast following jam bands, and was “kidnapped” in the Dominican Republic (not bad we gave them $20 to go back to the hotel). I’ve hiked “Cape Disappointment” done a bunch of small hikes and finally my first (but not my last) 14er with MAC. I’ve taken Greyhound (the Pooch), Amtrak, and a few VERY sketchy small planes."

Photo taken on Gray's Peak, September 2022 with Sarah holding the sign.

About us: MAC is a non-profit learning organization. We help members increase wellbeing with active outdoor exploration, life-time learning, like-minded community, and healthy habit development. It is a whole-person perspective built on the proposition that adventuring happens one step at a time and is most appreciated when done with other like-minded people.

Thanks for your interest in this MAC newsletter. Click here for previous newsletters.

Please let me know if you

• have anything you would like included in the next MAC newsletter

• would like to be added to the newsletter mailing list or you know of someone who would like to be added

I can be reached at Ron@MedallionAdventureClub.com or via MAC Slack. 

To Adventure

Ron King

https://www.medallionadventureclub.org