Coolest Things to do in 2015

Northern Lights tour
Meet sled dogs during the LaplandX Northern Lights tour.
Coolest Things to do in 2015
GORUCK events are an up-and-comer that will be very cool in 2015. (Photo courtesy of GORUCK)

I won’t drink until I soil myself. I’ll cut back on snorting rat poison. I’ll quit inhaling high-fructose corn syrup by the troughful.

These are the spirit of New Year’s resolutions: things we won’t do anymore. Me” I don’t do New Year’s resolutions. I certainly don’t do “bucket lists.” But I identify opportunities to do things that will make my life better. I scour the world looking for activities and destinations I’d like to do, get to as many as possible and then annoy everyone around me by not shutting up about them, ever.

So what would make my list for 2015″ I’ve got a few for you that I’d do. I wish I could get to them all, but you know how that goes. Maybe a few of you can help out by standing in for me! And I’d also like to hear what would make your list.

One of These Crazy GoRuck Events

You’ve heard of all the mud runs, the color runs and all that hoopla. Now GORUCK, whose ads I’ve noticed on Facebook, is getting the word out about its series of events all over the country. They have something for everybody this calendar year, from 48-plus hours of mayhem that require you to move 80 miles all the way to scavenger hunts that are more about beer drinkin’ than bravery. The events started Jan. 9, with many more throughout the calendar year. GORUCK says these events offer a “slice of Special Operations training.” I have a feeling these events will draw a lot of CrossFit sort of folks and more than a few ex-military types. So yeah, my long hair will likely stand out!

I have my eye on starting with a GORUCK Light event in Flagstaff, Ariz. this May (registration is now $50) and following up with a Challenge event near Tucson in September. Check the events list for descriptions, and to find one near you. If you’ve ever done one of these events, drop me a line – I’d like to hear about it and share the info with readers.

coolest things to do in 2015
Weightlessness inside a Reduced gravity aircraft (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Lose Nearly All Your Weight With Zero G

We all know I’m a sucker for anything that flies. So the Zero G Corporation flights that simulate weightlessness would OF COURSE make my list. The flights start Feb. 14 in San Francisco for $4,950 plus tax. Eep. That’s a pretty hefty hit to the bank account.

Still, we’re just talking about floating around in the air like a freakin’ astronaut. No big deal. It was one of the coolest things to do in 1959 aboard the original Vomit Comet, and it is still one of the coolest things to do in 2015.

LaplandX Extreme Lapland Tour Still one of the Coolest Things to do in 2015

Northern Lights tour
Meet sled dogs and the occasional wall of ice during the LaplandX Northern Lights tour.

I’ve already yapped about this 7-day Northern Lights tour at length. But it bears repeating that you still have time to sign up before the fun starts on Feb. 16 in Finland. If you have about $4,000, I don’t think you’ll find a much better way to spend it.

I’m not going to be able to get to this one, so I’ll have to miss out on the icebreaker cruise, the sled dogs and the snow machine hijinks — and the aurora borealis light show up there near the Arctic Circle. If you are LaplandX-bound, please get a hold of me afterward for a guest blog post. I want to hear all about this.

coolest things to do in 2015
This is not the Flanders you’ll see on the beer bicycle tour!

D’oh, Flanders!

I’ve been reading an awful lot about beer lately: Someone at work got me a book called “The Brewer’s Tale: A History of the World According to Beer” as a Secret Santa gift. The chapter about Belgian beers makes me want to get over to Belgium. And as you probably know, I’m a bicycle guy.

So that makes me think these 10-day Flanders Adventure Tours have to be one of the coolest things to do in 2015. Riders will cover 40-80 days on flat terrain every day, and they’ll hit eight towns and 10 breweries. You’ll see some of the big breweries, and some of those below-the-radar locals. The first tour starts April 10; check out the itinerary for dates and more details. Tour cost is $2,600 at the moment, which includes: nine nights hotel; breakfast and lunch each day; bike and bag rental; two tour guides (one Dutch-speaking); all brewery tours plus beer; sampling at breweries; and luggage storage before and after the tour. Not bad at all!

Drop Into the Mouth of a Volcano

OK, I’ve also mentioned this one before. But how can descending into the magma chamber of an extinct volcano – the only one known to exist intact! – not be one of the coolest things to do in 2015″

The fun starts on May 15 when Inside the Volcano starts running tours to the Thrihnukagigur volcano. It’ll cost you about $300, and will remain one of the most stupid-awesome things you ever do. Ever. Just get yourself to Reykjavik and be ready to do a short hike before you plunge into the volcano!

This post just might contain affiliate links. Fear not, they’re non-spammy and benign. Hey, I have to keep this thing running somehow!

By Wandering Justin

Writer. Traveler. Gastronomic daredevil. Fitness fan. Homebrewer. Metal dude \m/. Cat and dog lover.

5 comments

  1. Hey Justing, cool post, lots of neat stuff to do. I always wanted to do Zero-G.

    So, since you don’t have a bucket list, I thought that I’d help you out:
    Bucket List – 5 Overpriced Buckets Sold on Amazon:

    Panacea 15343 Ash Bucket with Shovel, Black, $37.63
    http://www.amazon.com/Panacea-15343-Bucket-Shovel-Black/dp/B001XW0WIY/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1421419505&sr=8-10&keywords=bucket&pebp=1421419458793&peasin=B001XW0WIY

    Genuine Joe GJO60466 Splash Guard Mop Bucket/Wringer, 6.50 gallon Capacity, Yellow, $49.99
    http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Joe-GJO60466-Wringer-Capacity/dp/B001PMJUKI/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1421419505&sr=8-14&keywords=bucket&pebp=1421419487272&peasin=B001PMJUKI

    Camco 42993 Collapsible Bucket, $9.57 (Believe me, it’s overpriced)
    http://www.amazon.com/Camco-42993-Collapsible-Bucket/dp/B000O5EW9G/ref=sr_1_28?ie=UTF8&qid=1421419541&sr=8-28&keywords=bucket

    Beverage Tub, Galvanized Steel, $130.14
    http://www.amazon.com/BEVERAGE-TUB-GALVANIZED-STEEL-OVAL/dp/B00B05FACC/ref=sr_1_11?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1421419211&sr=1-11&keywords=bucket

    3M Branded Bucket, $39.17
    http://www.amazon.com/3M-BUCKET/dp/B0013HFX92/ref=sr_1_40?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1421419317&sr=1-40&keywords=bucket

  2. Justin, I meant Justin… Not Justing. Unless you are a fan of STING and The Police, then by all means use the name Justing.

  3. Wow, that are definitely some extreme things to do! A bit too extreme for me, to be honest… I do like your bravery, though! As for me, well, I’ll stick to goals like learning to speak Norwegian properly and going for horseriding trips in the Norwegian wilderness. 🙂

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