The following article is an opinion piece by Dr. Jesse Jones,
Jesse Jones, PhD, is an assistant professor of sport, hospitality and tourism management at Baldwin Wallace University. He has more than 35 years of experience participating in, planning and leading outdoor adventure activities throughout much of the Lower 48 states. His current passions include sea kayaking, as well as paddleboarding Ohio's lakes, rivers and streams.
Cleveland is truly a great sports town that includes three major league franchises, several minor league teams, and college, high school, and youth sports. But did you know that Northeast Ohio also has access to some truly great outdoor adventure resources?
From local destinations including outdoor gardens, the Ohio and Erie Canalway, Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, to adventure activities such as mountain biking, rock climbing, paddleboarding and ziplining, Cleveland and the greater Northeast Ohio region have an adventure waiting for you.
However, for many of us, the main thing keeping us from participating in these activities is how to adventure properly. Sports -- we Clevelanders have this down. Grab a bat and glove, get a football or go down to the local outdoor court; we understand that process. When we start talking about adventure and outdoor sports, on the other hand, it gets complicated.
To adventure properly, according to Mathew Walker, author of "Adventure in Everything," there are five basic elements to consider. Walker's formula is quite simple: adventure = high endeavor + uncertain outcome + total commitment + tolerance for adversity + great companionship. Adventure is about innovation, possibility and reaching beyond yourself. In other words, high endeavor. ”
For example, this past spring I finally realized my dream of rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Not only was I able to participate in this bucket list experience, I was able to share it with my 13-year-old daughter. Although I have 35-plus years of adventure experience, rafting the Grand Canyon presented many different potential outcomes, given its location and remoteness. From an engine that broke down as we floated through class seven rapids, to scorpions, snakes and sun, the success of this experience was very much uncertain.
But we were committed to the success of this trip, as it took more than two years to plan and organize. Along the way from planning to implementation, we also ran up against much adversity that we needed to tolerate. Luckily, employers, school district administrators and generous spouses were very supportive of this adventure.
Which brings us to the final element of adventure - namely, great companionship. Adventure without great companions to support, commit and share in the joys and tribulations is not adventure. The selection of great companions with whom to adventure will bring you joy, commitment and especially gratitude.
Adventure is not only for the extreme athlete, the wealthy or the physically able. Adventure is more than just an activity; it is a mindset and a lifestyle that is well within the reach of all Clevelanders.
For those looking to develop adventure skills, there are many organizations that will help you prepare for your next adventure. Among them, Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Recreationhas many introductory classes and basic trips to get your feet wet, while Inner Drive Adventures is a local mom-and-pop shop that specializes in paddleboard adventures, trips and tours.
Whatever your adventure, Cleveland has you covered.
This article ran on Cleveland.com on October 21, 2018
https://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2018/10/northeast_ohio_--_got_adventur.html
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