Morning iced coffee to start a sultry & sweltering week

Edition #13

Iced coffee on the back deck

Good morning. This is Jenn. I am an adventurer and writer from upstate New York - living near the beautiful Finger Lakes. I enjoy sharing my travels with others.

Thanks for checking in with me today. How is your day going?

My favorite drink in the summer is iced coffee - a homemade concoction that I brew up and pour over ice in a tall mug (see photo above). It is probably not as good as buying a cold brew at a fancy coffee stop but it works for me.

What is your favorite morning beverage? Let me know below. Feel free to add a comment by posting in the comment link above.

If you do make iced coffee or cold brew, how do you make it? I am always looking to improve my recipe.

Check out my post on “What makes a good coffee stop.”

What’s going on this week for me

My plan this week is to get outside very early in the morning to beat the heat and enjoy some outside activities.

We expect temperatures in the 90’s for most of the week here in upstate New York.

Escaping to a nearby lake to paddle in the early morning is on the agenda this week. Maybe catch some nice photos.

Meanwhile, my blueberry bushes are coming along nicely and I need to cover them with netting before the birds (and other critters) discover them. It seems like I am constantly battling the elements.

This week we hope to somewhat finalize plans for our September road trip to the Canadian Maritimes. I try not to plan too much detail into a road trip but instead leave open some room for flexibility. I am excited about a possibility to paddle in the Bay of Fundy and visit the Grand Manan Island, accessible only by a ferry. Birding on the seacoast is definitely on the list. And lots of hiking of course. I am looking forward to sharing my adventures stories with you too.

Did you know that the simple and meaningful act of hitting the heart icon ❤️ above, or sharing this piece, means more people see my work. Should you do this, I see you and it is so appreciated.

Thank you.

Some of my favorite reading that I bookmark (save) and come back to read again and again.

New: Laura’s Letters. Laura’s post on “why introverts are so darned lovable and good looking too” enlightened me. After reading her letter, I discovered a lot about being an introvert - I enjoy solitude, I like to learn by watching and being around a lot of people drains me.

The Slow Sip by Cathy Jacob. Cathy’s posts inspire me to continue to work on my writing through introspection, patience and slowing down. Her writing is helping me find more balance in this crazy world.

Keith’s RWK Newsletter: Keith posts weekly about daily life in and around the Keweenaw peninsula community of Chassell in Michigan. He shares hiking adventures via photos and his GoPro. Check out his post on fishing at night under the northern lights!

Field Notes with Erik Hogan: Woodlands and Water: A five part series about thru hiking on the Foothills Trail in South Carolina. Beautiful photos.

Jon Norris is a professional photographer and Explore Landscapes is a weekly newsletter sharing essential landscape photography tips and advice. Jon shoots a lot at the Joshua Tree National Park and offers workshops, both online and in person.

Benjamin Williamson Photography: Ben shares weekly inspirational photography from his favorite Maine landscapes and locations, in addition to photography tips and ways to improve your photos. His northern lights photos are amazing.

My curated list of adventure books on Bookshop.org

My order of this book arrived! Lots of interesting paddles and detailed information about the lakes in the Southern Adirondacks. I already have several paddles bookmarked for our upcoming July trip.

Penultimate Paddles: In the Piseco, Indian, and Canada Lakes Region by Russell Dunn

Find out more about how you can purchase this book and also view my complete list of recommended adventure books at Bookshop.org. Every purchase on this site financially supports independent bookstores.

Thanks for joining me for coffee today.

If this is your first time here, a little bit about me.

I have a reputation for constantly pursuing new adventures. A long-time runner, nordic skier, and endurance junkie, I have dabbled in running and skiing ultra marathons and climbing mountains over 14,000 feet. The bulk of my professional career was spent working in finance, higher education and most recently as a running coach.

I have written and published numerous articles online for my running and fitness followers. Inspired by my high school journalism teacher and mentor, I sense an urge to remain connected to the outdoors and share my journey with others.

Hope you can come along.

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.