Just a Couple of Ducks...

I finally understand how a duck feels. Truly. On the surface, calm and serene, floating on top of the water. Underneath, his little feet are moving lightning fast just to keep him afloat and, hopefully, steer him in the right direction.

For the last few months, we've had to take a serious look at our future. And the overwhelming truth is that the business we've been planning for almost a year is one with scary steep start up costs, equipment, staff, supplies, insurance, etc. So we came to a fork in the road. We could go left, stay stubborn and push this business with barely any capitol, experience and little-to-know bank support (apparently adventure travel companies carry a bit of risk... who knew...) or we could take a step back and find a way to insure the success of this company by taking an alternate route.

So... we're starting with a parent company.

Bobby's always had another dream (can you tell we're a family of dreamers??), to open a military surplus/outdoor recreation shop. The Reader's Digest version is that by starting under this umbrella, we'll have a location to run GLAT out of when the time is right. It's like that old saying "The right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing". Or something to that effect. Anyway, it makes sense for now.

So that's where we've been! Checking out properties with realtors, meeting with banks, talking to investors,... even Scout's cramming for his Canine Good Citizenship Test (to become the ultimate Shop Dog!).

So don't worry. Great Lakes Adventures isn't going anywhere. Its just taking a backseat for a little while. Stay tuned for more info about our new project... Alpha Troop Supply.

Thanksgiving in the Backcountry

photo: Backpacker Magazine

As we approach this festive season of eating, I can't help but long to grab a backpack and a tent and head out into the beautiful crisp fall air. Granted, the leaves have all fallen and it feels as if snow is *about* to fall at any minute, but isn't that the fun of fall camping?

The only thing I'd miss about a backpacking Thanksgiving would be the pumpkin pie. But we did try a Thanksgiving dinner one trip- rustic style, of course. A variation of the Backpacker recipe, we boiled water and added it to savory stuffing mix with diced apple, dried cranberries, crushed walnuts and a packet of chicken. Let me tell you, after a day of hiking in the rain in West Virginia, it seemed like the most delicious meal we'd ever eaten. Had I the forethought of that pumpkin pie, it would have been heaven.

As we ate, we talked about how fun it would be to take the whole family camping on Thanksgiving. Maybe not rustic backpacking (not everyone is as adventurous as we are, I know...) but with preset tents, cots and blankets. A truly cozy campfire, lounge chairs and a hearty Thanksgiving feast... Campfire Roasted Turkey... Cornbread... Cranberry Relish... Baked Potatoes... Pumpkin Pie... Sounds like a dream to me! And a bit more true to the first Thanksgiving, don't you think??

True "glamping". Probably the only way my family would even consider it.

Whoa, we have a website!

That's right! We have a website!


Ok, so it's only one page... but it's a start!

And the flood of enthusiasm we're receiving as we pursue this business more and more is incredible. From the talented friends offering to help with logo and website design, to the skilled adventurers offering to lead tours, to the family and friends who are there just to chat and offer their love and support. Thank you everyone! It makes this potentially-scary venture so much easier.

And what comes from this outpouring of support is all of the new ideas gathered! Everyone brings something new to the table. "Have you thought about trip...?", "Would you consider doing this...?". I constantly find myself looking for my notebook to jot down all these amazing ideas! Fly fishing in Canada, an urban bike trip from Chicago to Ann Arbor, backpacking on Isle Royale...

Something tells me we're never going to run out of ideas for this business...

Breaking Out of The 9 to 5

Years ago, when I was plugging away in college- training to be a chef with pastry, meat cutting and mixology classes- I never thought I'd be where I am today.
Part of the reason I wanted to get into kitchens so badly was because I had a hard time sitting still! I would fidget, get up, stretch, walk around... always thinking about the next thing to do.

Yet, here I am, years later and I spend my days at a corner desk from 9am to 5pm every single day. Lunch is at noon. Midday stretch is at 3. And every day for the past four years, I think how unnatural it is. We're given strong legs and feet to carry us around the world, a sharp mind to think both analytically and creatively, arms to reach for the impossible... and they aren't used here. In this chair.

A big part of the reason Great Lakes Adventure Travel is happening is because of this kind of passion. The kind that makes you feel like an ADD kid who can only think about skiing the minute that first snow falls. Or spending a week in the middle of nowhere with nothing but a backpack and a camera. THIS is what I'm meant to do. THIS is the reason we're creating this business.
Because I know I'm not alone. I don't know how the "business world" came to be this way, this 9 to 5 thing that it is. But I'd like to change that.

Business meetings are no longer sit-on-your-ass-and-sip-coffee-for-four-hours. They are out there- in the actual "real world". We'd like to create a culture where colleagues can discuss new business strategies over some kayaking in our beautiful lakes or with hot chocolate after a long day on the slopes. Like real people.

There's a lot I could say about what needs to happen or how the world needs to change. But instead, I'll choose to change it.

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain." - Maya Angelou