In our world of routine and responsibility, you may find that all it takes to rekindle your spirit is to simply try something new. Here are a few suggestions you may not have thought of.
Hiking
"What I love about hiking….the serenity of being alone in the woods, chasing waterfalls, turning a corner, and stumbling upon ruins or old vehicles. Not to mention beautiful vistas, challenging rock scrambles, wooden boardwalks, and a sense of accomplishment after each state we finish on the Appalachian Trail. It goes without saying we both have a love of nature! We have hiked for years together, but the start of Covid and quarantine propelled our desire to hike weekly. I love our weekly adventures together!" - Jen Rech:
"I have always loved the outdoors and hiking. It gives me a sense of peace when I’m on the trail and a huge sense of accomplishment when I complete a hike; especially if it’s a hard one or something out of my comfort zone. Jen and I have been hiking together for years but when the world shut down in 2020 we were both looking for an escape. We started hiking once a week and then began planning to tackle the Appalachian Trail in the local states. In 2021 we did 42 hikes together for a total of 256.4 miles." - Melissa Kirz:
Sky Diving
What’s cooler — or more insane (depending upon your mindset) than strapping on a parachute and jumping out of an airplane? If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like, New York Tandem Skydiving in West Milford, NJ, or Skydive The Ranch in Gardiner, NY will take you up and let you find out. If you prefer to try it while staying closer to the ground, iFly Indoor Skydiving Centers are a more low-altitude alternative.
FYI: We heard that Skydive The Ranch is where our publisher did his one and only jump.
Acting Lessons
“Taking an acting class is a surefire way to get more in touch and familiar with yourself. You become more self-aware. You gain a better understanding of motivations and desires,” says Jackie Reid, owner of one Hollywood talent agency. Give it a try to see what it can do for you? ATC Studios in Clifton lets you explore your dramatic side while keeping your day job.
Sailing
Sailing is a great way to bring peace and quiet into our busy lives; the simple sounds of the wind as it fills the sails, or the water as it flows past the boat can be very relaxing and centering, a perfect antidote to the stresses of the modern world.
"When you cut the engine, turn the rudder, and the sails fill, you feel the power up…the lift of the boat as the sail and keel slice through wind and water. All my senses are alert to every movement and sound, looking for what’s ahead. I’m alive!" - Jeff Hecht
Rock Climbing
“It’s really exciting to start a new climb and a really, really great feeling to finish one. I did my first climb with my Girl Scout troop and have been hooked ever since. Now I’m on a rock climbing team in Montclair with kids from all over the area. I am always ready to go climbing.” - Lily Nazarko
Take Some Flying Lessons
“I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things.” - Antoine De Saint-Exupéry.
Learning to fly opens up an entire world of exploration. If you have the itch to take to the skies, head over to Essex County Airport in Fairfield. Century Air, Air Fleet Training Systems, and P6 Aviation are each based there and will get you up in the air and exploring in no time.
Robotics Club
If you truly believe that children are our future, let's get them exploring their own future in the exciting world of robotics? JDroids' mission is to provide after-school STEM and Robotics programs for elementary, middle, and high school students. Team 7026 is the #1 ranked team in North Jersey and does all of their building at Maker Junction in Totowa. Go to the JDroids Facebook page for more information or email them at jdroids7026@gmail.com.
Fencing
“Fencing is great for conditioning your core and helps improve your balance and coordination. But let’s face it — it’s all about the friends you can make. Fencers always have your back, even if they’re on a different team. And knowing how to handle a weapon is never a bad thing. But the best thing is that you get to imagine that you’re Inigo Montoya from Princess Bride while you’re serving up a bagel against your opponent.” - Julie Seaman