EVENT SUMMARY: | ARMCHAIR TRAVELER
The following article summarizes the original event which is listed below the summary.

Knowing Iceland

January 24, 2024, at 10am
 

Kate Maple took us to western Iceland.  Her photos are incredible and her descriptions are informative and poetic.  She and her friend and traveling companion Michelle Schermann had an amazing experience exploring some lesser-known parts of Iceland and we had an amazing experience hearing all about it and seeing amazing pictures.

Event recording
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ARMCHAIR TRAVELER

Travel both near and far enriches

Wed, Jan 24 2024, 10am

Location
Event to be held via Zoom.
 

UMRA’s first Armchair Traveler program of 2024 will take us on travels near and far with two fabulous presenters—Carol Urness and Kate Maple—from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 24. Here are the descriptions of their presentations.  


In search of inspiration at the edges of the earth: Kate Maple

Chasing the light, the landscape, and the sea. City stories and vast spaces. It’s hard to describe Iceland with words; images tell the tale best. Reflections on time and space and place. Highlights of landscape and sea, and some food reports. Photos and drawings. Reykjavik, the west, the north.
 

Bloodroot. Photo by Carol Urness
Photographing flowers is one way Carol Urness enjoys "traveling" to interesting areas close to home. Bloodroot photo by Carol Urness.

Traveling close to home: Carol Urness

Travel to far-off lands teaches us history, geography, culture, and enriches our lives. At some point, most of us have to give up travel to distant lands, usually due to physical limitations. This doesn’t mean we have to stop learning through travel, especially travel near us, even in our backyards. In this presentation we will consider ways to “travel” in interesting areas near home. Mark your calendars and save the date. The Zoom invitation will be emailed to UMRA members one month and also one week in advance of the program. I hope you can join us.

—Lynn C. Anderson, Armchair Traveler program chair



Upcoming Events

Event Date: May 6, 2024, at 9:30am

We are fortunate to have UMRA member and former Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director Peter Moe to lead this approximately 3.7-mile hike at the Arboretum on Monday, May 6. Plan to have lunch together after the hike at the Eatery café inside the Oswald Visitor Center. 


Event Date: May 6, 2024, at 12:45pm

This session will continue the discussion begun in the May 8, 2023 session.  See that article for details.


Event Date: May 14, 2024, at 11am

If you currently live in your own home or apartment, have you looked ahead to when you might want to consider a senior living option? Do you have any idea what those options might be? How much they cost? What they provide? UMRA’s May 14 workshop will provide an overview of the world of senior living and the basic information you need.


Event Date: May 15, 2024, at 10am

You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2023–24. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for next year. 


Event Date: May 17, 2024, at 2pm

Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17. 


Event Date: May 20, 2024, at 9:30am

The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater.  Car pooling will be available.


Event Date: May 21, 2024, at 10:30am

Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley joined the U of M faculty in 1978 and has been a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. We are honored to welcome him as our guest speaker for UMRA’s May Luncheon Forum and 2024 Annual Meeting. He is always entertaining and informative.


Event Date: May 24, 2024, at 2pm

UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club welcomes back, for the second time, author Julie Schumacher, U of M Regents professor of creative writing and English, for a conversation about her novel The Shakespeare Requirement.


Event Date: June 3, 2024, at 9:30am

We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.


Event Date: June 14, 2024, at 7:10pm

Get out to the ballpark with fellow UMRA members for the annual U of M Day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland Athletics on June 14 at 7:10 p.m.


Event Date: June 17, 2024, at 9:30am

Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.


Event Date: June 17, 2024, at 11am

Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!


Event Date: June 24, 2024, at 8am

Healthy aging, mindfulness, fighting ageism, and more will be the focus of the third annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus.