ATHLETE AND EXPLORER INTERVIEW SERIES: CODY HOWARD

We sat down for some Q&A with one of our new Explorers, adventure photographer Cody Howard! Stay up to date on his latest adventures around Chicago at @howardventurous.

Bucket List Travel Destination: Horseback camping in Patagonia, Chile has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember.

Coffee Set-Up While Traveling: Here is a quick coffee hack for you: Grab your Stanley vacuum bottle and head to your local coffee roaster shortly before you’re heading out. Have them fill it with your favorite in-house blend, it will cost you less than $3.00 and you’ll have 5 cups worth of coffee that will be hot for 24 hours!

Favorite Thing about Chicago: The options! In Chicago there is always something to do (especially in the summer): Free concerts & movies in Millennium Park, music festivals nearly every weekend, museums, and outdoor activities along the lake shore. It’s impossible to be bored in this city.

On Finding Outdoor Inspiration in a Big City: This can be a tough one at times, especially growing up in rural Kansas where nature was easily accessible. Luckily, Chicago borders Lake Michigan and has 580 parks within city limits. Places like Humboldt Park are great spots to enjoy nature and make it easy to forget you’re in the middle of a major city.

Favorite Method of Travel (Car, Plane, Train, Other): Great question. Depending on the time you have, Amtrak can be a great way to see the United States. Though, a bicycle has to be my favorite. I have found so many cool things that I never would have seen if I hadn’t been riding my bike. Putting in the effort makes you slow down and really be aware of your surroundings, plus it’s a blast!

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