The 5pm Adventurer

At precisely the same time each weekday, my husband walks into our bedroom (which also acts as my office) and asks what our plans are that evening. I know he’s not referring to what shows we should watch, or what we should make for dinner. He wants to know how we’re going to get outside and make the best of the fading daylight since we spent the majority of those hours at our desks. There is an unofficial list of activities we rotate through, and luckily all are accessible within minutes of the house.

Some adventures require meticulous planning and an eye to the forecast. Should the wind speed, direction, and duration all align, the adventure will likely consist of a quick drive to a local surf spot. However, should the winds be calm, fishing is the wiser choice. Of course, the season plays a large role in this decision with skiing being the obvious choice for winter months and mountain biking in the summer. And if the fickle northern Minnesota weather doesn’t cooperate, there’s no reason we can’t don our rain gear and go for a hike.

Weekends are also allotted for adventure time with 63 uninterrupted available adventure hours (from 5pm Friday to 8am Monday). We have been known to drive for several hours on a Friday evening and sleep in our van for a few hours before getting in an early morning fishing session. We also didn’t hesitate to drive 18 hours overnight from Minnesota to Montana for some epic early season skiing at Bridger Bowl. 

We – well, I – haven’t always been this obsessive over optimizing non-working hours. At first, I thought my husband’s inability to sit still and ‘relax’ was incredibly frustrating and made me question how much we had in common (and if he was truly human). I felt paralyzed by the mental exhaustion at the end of each workday, followed by immense relief when landing on the couch where no work, projects, or customers required my attention. I often found myself alone in the evenings reading a book while my husband filled his soul with adventure. He would arrive home well into the evening out of breath and with tales of waves, rides, or snow conditions. I would listen with awe and just a sliver of jealousy. 

I tried and struggled to find the energy or motivation that he seemed to contain in endless quantities. I searched for it in a variety of exercise classes and gym memberships. After spending years and several hundred dollars trying to find a routine I could stick with, I found myself back where I started (although in slightly better shape). When lamenting over my general malaise and lack of social life, my husband pointed out that none of my activities were outside. His theory maintained that maybe happiness – and ultimately, some like-minded friends – can be found by simply getting some fresh air and vitamin D. “People need to rally around a shared hobby or experience, and if you find something you love, you’re likely to find the people that love it too,” he often reminded me. 

I decided to start with a seemingly low-risk activity and made the occasional jog around the block. While I wasn’t about to make friends with such a solo hobby, I did start to feel better. Sooner or later, I signed up for a half marathon. Having something “interesting” to discuss with coworkers and acquaintances, I managed to secure a couple training partners. Things were looking up!

On a whim, I purchased a mountain bike having never biked on non-paved trails before and immediately threw myself into the sport. I joined the local mountain biking organization, signed up for gravel bike races and traveled all over town to explore new trails. And I met people! When I was on my bike or outside running, my mind was simultaneously focused and completely empty. I knew I would never be a professional – or even very good – at either sport, but I didn’t care. I started to crave that feeling – that release – each day, and I was finally starting to understand who my husband was. 

I found myself embracing my own 5pm adventures, occasionally tagging along and attempting to cold-water surf, competing in gravel bike races and half marathons, and filling closets with everything from wetsuits to ski boots to biking shorts. I no longer hesitate when my husband suggests a 5-hour drive to our favorite ski hill, or a quick drive to the boat ramp for some evening fishing. Being outside is energizing, and the mental clarity it brings to our lives is indescribable. I’ve even learned to embrace the workday as both a method to financially support our adventures and a healthy mental balance. 

So when I hear the first footsteps coming down the hallway, I know to wrap up my emails and open the weather forecast. My husband enters the room, takes his place against the window, and asks his question. I’ve already made my calculations – we have just enough daylight for a 1-hour drive to a brand new bike trail. Let’s go, light is fading!