The Intrepid Introvert

When I stepped on the field with 349 of my coworkers at the start of this year’s Indianapolis Colts’ home-opener, it took me back to the first time I stepped onto a major football field nearly 20 years earlier.

Oct 9

Oct 9 Week 29: Grown-Up Field Day [Score +14]

In grade school, Field Day was an event I enjoyed because it felt like an outdoor celebration of the end of the school year. I was competitive enough to try hard and want to win, but I never excelled at any particular athletic skill. So, why would I want to volunteer for a grown-up field day? Redemption.

Sep 28

Sep 28 Week 28: An Occasion For a New Scoring Category [Score +12]

I should do it... But it’s on a Sunday night... It’s a free ticket... With an opening act, they won’t even start playing until at least 9:00 p.m.... For heaven’s sake, it’s U2! ... Yeah, but I don’t really like big concerts... AMANDA. Be intrepid!

This, my friend, is an accurate representation of my inner dialogue. You see why I need this project?

Sep 26

Sep 26 Week 27: The Love Language of Quality Time [Score +3]

Do you know your “love language?” Of the five options, mine is Quality Time. We could be on a thrilling vacation or just enjoying a PB&J lunch in a park; it’s the act of spending time together, getting to have a good conversation, with the people I love that makes me happiest. Does it then make me selfish if I enjoy giving gifts of things we can experience together?

Sep 22

Sep 22 Week 26: A Landmark Up Close, Hidden Waterfall, and My Longest Hike Ever

When a hiking trail is only recommended three months out of the year, you know you're leaving the most beaten path. On my second weekend in Colorado, Chase and I hiked to the top of Rabbit Ears Peak, a fishing hole whose location will remain a secret, and the Zirkel Circle featuring Gold Creek and Gilpin Lakes.

Sep 14

Sep 14 Week 25: Unplanned Adventures in Mountain Biking [Score +24]

I’ve had “do a mountain-bike clinic” on my list of intrepid activity ideas from the start of this project. Learning some cross-country trail riding sounds like a fun change of pace and a nice departure from my usual road-cycling experience, and Steamboat seemed the perfect place to try it out. This is a story of how I got more adventure than I'd bargained for.

Sep 7

Sep 7 Week 24: Hiking Trails and Tackling Mountains [Score +14]

Activities, Travel

My brother and I love to hike when I visit him in Steamboat Springs, CO. We plan our weekends around breakfasts and what trail we’re going to tackle. Usually, he takes me for a warmup hike before we tackle the steeper terrain. This time, we dove right in. Weekend 1, Part 1: The Devil’s Causeway and Hahns Peak.

Aug 31

Aug 31 Week 24: Yoga in the Mountains of Colorado [Score +24]

I just got home from my latest trip to Steamboat Springs, Colorado—a 12-day adventure—and have lots of photos and stories to share. Starting with Day 1, I checked two items off my want-to-do list: a yoga festival and an AcroYoga class.

Aug 26
Aug 26 Week 23: Ladies Who Brunch [Score +14]

When did brunch become such an event? I’ve always found late morning to be an awkward time for a meal, especially when I’m being too type-A and overthinking it. Yes, one can overthink brunch. But even when I'm overthinking it, I can still enjoy it, especially when Copilot Mylee comes along on a gor-geous Saturday in Indianapolis.

Aug 6

Aug 6 Week 22: Summer Concerts and Social Intrepidity [Score +22]

I love this time of year for 5,379 reasons, one of which is the opportunity to simply pick from a list of a dozen things I might want to do—especially outside—on any given day. So this week’s post is a combo: two fun activities, one more personally intrepid than the other.

Aug 2

Aug 2 Week 19: Nicaraguan Vacation

I spent my final few days in Nicaragua acting the part of a woman on vacation: exploring colonial cities, taking boat tours, floating in crater lakes, and sipping fresh juices. But Nicaragua's reality was never far away.

Jul 24

Jul 24 Week 21: An Afternoon at a Museum [Score +2]

I’ve visited the Eiteljorg a number of times over the years for the museum’s special exhibits: Ansel Adams. Georgia O’Keefe. And, this past Saturday, for “Dogs: Faithful and True.”

Jul 21

Jul 21 Week 18: Two Uncomfortable Nights in Matagalpa

I felt I had some advantages on my trip to Nicaragua since I was friends with our leader. But separating from the group had its disadvantages, as well, which I learned quickly on our two nights in the city of Matagalpa.

Jul 17

Jul 17 Week 20: Festival Season Has Arrived [Score +12]