Intrepid Explorations

There comes a time in a man's life when he needs to see for himself the brutal nature of the wilderness, smell the alpine scent of conifers climbing the sides of mountains, test the mettle of his survival skills against the bitter cold of an arctic landscape. And that time is today. By the time you read this, I will be trekking down the frozen runway of the Minnehaha Creek, a rugged, untested wilderness that runs through the heart of South Minneapolis (about 30 blocks from my house).

Along with about a dozen other explorers, I'll be hiking east on this frozen wasteland as we try to maintain our provisions and ignore the ridicule and taunts of joggers and bicyclists (running and biking along the paths that border the creek). With fortune on our side, we will journey the five miles to our overnight destination, where a base camp will be established so that we might endure the bitter, dark hours of the night (also, this location is where Di Noko's Arctic Outfitters has confirmed they can deliver victuals for our sustenance).

So as you nestle into your warm beds tonight, send warm thoughts my way. Chances are I'll be trying to warm myself by the sled dogs, though I'm not sure they'll take too kindly to me. Please pray that I'll make it safely to morning. Because we have brunch reservations at a breakfast cafe nearby, and they're really mean if you show up late.