Chief of the operation and keeper of the calendar. Simone is human factors engineer who also happens to be the mother of two very lucky kids (more on them later). She balances her time with working, adventuring, parenting, and socializing - rarely in fine balance but enough of each to keep her happy. Simone has a strong desire to live an extraordinary life of adventure and experience. She aims to swim, ski, climb, sail, dance, and play her way until she can do them no more. Oh, did I mention that she was an Irish step dancer? Nope. That will be a story for another time.

First mate and first in line for something crazy. Brendan is nothing short of energetic. He plays with the ferocity of 10 kids and sleeps like a stone. We doubt he will stay aboard for long so we are spending our time trying to beef up his 50 mile swim time. In short order, Brendan will be running the show. In the meantime, he just needs to be happy with first mate.

Leftenant to all, subservient to none. Cora is new to this world but she sure has a way to make us all feel tremendous joy with just a smile. Here, see for yourself (look left). She is just a blob right now - barely able to roll on her shoulder - but just wait; soon, Cora will be ready to challenge Brendan for the captain's designation. She has no idea what she is in for but she seems like she's ready for the oddities that await.

Title? None. No offense to Flogging Molly nor to John L. Sullivan but I am the man with the plan. Life has thrown us a few curveballs but we remain resolute in living an unusually adventurous life. I say we because Simone and I are a team. We plan for the 1, 5, 10, and 20 year marks in life with education, adventure, and friendship. While we plan, the master plan was hatched a long time ago when I was a wee lad. Now, I'm a bearded, aging adrenaline junky who cannot seem to find comfort in a suburban or urban lifestyle. I crave the outdoors. My heart sings when I am at my edge.