In case you're still in need of some holiday gifts after Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday... (So many opportunities to buy people! How American) here are some ideas we've come up with for those adventure seekers out there!
1. PASS TO BROOKLYN BOULDERS. This may be our new happy place. Since we're in the city the majority of the winter instead of out on the open road hiking huge rocks, this indoor rock climbing community was a great find. We signed up for the Rope Course last week and have since been hooked. (It all starts with trust falls...what a team-building venture...) It's got an amazing vibe with colorful graffiti and lots of nooks and crannies to explore, so you never feel like it was crowded (although we were warned it would be different on Saturday/Sundays). With the Lumineers and Jose Gonzalez lingering in the background, I never thought I would feel so zen dangling by one hand from the ceiling with a rope hooked to me.
PS we found all the hot males in the city of new york. SSSHhhhhhh. For multiple reasons, this experience would be a great gift for your wanderlusty-but-stuck-in-the-city friend. They are having a HOLIDAY SALE too.
2. A WARM HANDMADE ITEM FROM THE MARKET. Something warm, cuddly, handmade, and Fair Trade from a holiday market is always a great gift. My mom got me this Nirvana Designs hat from The Union Square Holiday Market over Thanksgiving. It's not only unique and VERY WARM, but the purchase of this hat supports women in Nepal. (kissy face for free.)
3. HIKING GEAR. There's all sorts of accessories needed for upcoming adventures, whether it's new boots, ice cleats, water bottles, warm light-weight layers, or an actual tent. We'd suggest this REI backpack and this. It's lightweight and perfect for hiking, running, and staying hydrated. Meg's gotten a lot of use out of it in a few short months, as you can see in one of our last days of summer on Bear Mountain.
4. WANDERLUSTY DREAMY BOOKS. Let's face it- reading about other people's adventures is escapism at it's BEST. (When you're not hanging out with us here of course.) These are some of our favorite reads this year during those drudgingly cold morning commute rides to work when you'd rather have a backpack with sunscreen in it than your computer and work notes. You may not be able to splurge on flights just yet (hint: keep reading), but these will give you the time to dream up where you want to go next and inspiration to start saving those pennies!
The Lost Girls. Three friends quitting their workaholic jobs in NYC around their 28th birthdays to travel the world for a year...not relatable. At all.
WILD. Cheryl Strayed's memoir of impulsively leaving everything she knows at 26 to hike the Pacific Coast Trail solo without much training or experience. Women foraging their own trail & feeling their feelings...also completely unrelatable.
5. GOPRO. I'm obsessed with mine. Not a prime filmmaker YET, but it's a fun toy to be able to take with you on ANY adventure and not have to worry about dropping it or getting it wet.
6. DIY DAY OUT OF THE CITY. We are alllll about this. And this gift can be on ANY budget! Exploring a small town on the coast like Isle au Haute, Maine or a new place in the city (how very lupine of you) or that massive roadtrip in the Southwest... (we've got ya there too) to somewhere unseen and unheard of (please share!). The uncharted territory is the best. Experiences should not be bound by a price tag! Check out how far you can get on public transit, where the local campsites are, and pack up that backpack!
7. PLANE TICKETS. And of course this is the ultimate gift for any globetrotting wanderluster if you're ready for the big one!! Plane tickets to a bucket-list destination would be AMAZING. You can get us a pair for Iceland, thank you. (So thoughtful!)
So, what's it going to be? What are you asking for for the holidays? And more importantly, what are you GIVING?