Five Great Lakes. Twenty Four Hours.

This is the first "pocket adventure".  A pocket adventure is something challenging, something one might mention to one's grandchildren.  It is also something that pretty much anyone can do.  No special skills, training, or financing necessary.  A pocket adventure is a smaller challenge than climbing in the Himalayas or exploring South Sandwich Island.  It "fits in the pocket" rather than, say, on a team of Sherpas or in the hold of a ship.

But it is still challenging, still exciting, still something one can look back on with a sense of accomplishment and fond memories.

A friend and former professor inspired me.  He's swimming around the island he lives on near Seattle.  It's a pocket adventure -- he's doing it in short stages based on the time he has available after work or on weekends.  It's something that almost anyone could do, even though few ever will. Challenging?  Yes.  Exciting?  Sure.  It's a pocket adventure.

Get it?

So, I've set the goal:  To swim in all five Great Lakes in one 24-hour period.  I've also recruited my father.  He will be a newly-retired fisheries biologist when we undertake our adventure.  My son and my nephew have also expressed interest... stay tuned.

To add meaning to our pocket adventure, we will be doing some fundraising and attempting to bring publicity to issues effecting the Great Lakes, including things like invasive species, water quality, and conservation.

We are considering donating proceeds from our effort to the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes Natural Resource Center.

If you are interested in pledging a gift for the NWF/GLRNC, contact me.  I'll send you a note and forward your gift to them.  They are aware of our plans, and excited to work with us to make our pocket adventure even more successful and meaningful.

Thanks,

Rob