The Mortells — who recently opened Nook Overland, a Scout Campers dealership and overland shop in Yellow Springs — will share their passion for adventure at the biennial Adventure Speaker Series. The program — a partnership between Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University — begins Feb. 5 and wraps up on March 19 with presentations on select Wednesdays. Local explorers will discuss topics including climbing, travel, hiking and truck camping.
“Many people dream of embarking on all kinds of adventures, some of which may seem unattainable,” said Chris Buck, Five Rivers MetroParks special events coordinator. “The Adventure Speaker Series is all about showcasing local explorers who made up their mind to just go for it and they share their experience so that others can get inspired to check things off their respective bucket lists.”
Travel became more than a bucket list item for Dani, it was therapeutic.
“I had quit my job in January 2021 due to my ongoing struggle with long-COVID and inability to keep up with work,” she said. “I felt a lot better mentally traveling and camping in beautiful places instead of being cooped up at home. Our trips in the Scout kept getting longer and we realized how comfortable we were in it.”
The couple decided to sell their house in 2022 and live in their camper full-time.
“When you’re traveling like this, life gets a lot simpler,” she said. “The weight of work and social demands isn’t there, and you just feel a lot more free.”
In addition to their own continued adventures, the Mortells enjoy helping others find their own “adventure nooks.”
“We love sharing and talking about our experiences and hope that will inspire some folks to get out and explore more of this world themselves.”
Adventure Speaker Series
Presentations are free at the Wright State University Student Union.
Attempting North America’s Longest Sport Climbing Route
Speakers: Alex Petersen, Cedrick Gauthier and Eli Capasso
When: 7-8:30 p.m., Feb. 5
What: In the summer of 2024, friends and members of Wright State University’s climbing club ventured to Squamish, British Columbia, to attempt North America’s longest bolted sport climbing route — Guarantee Rugged. Hear the climbers recount their experiences climbing three distinct routes: the slabby lower apron, the headwall and the final ridge to the summit. The group will also discuss planning, logistics, techniques and their efforts to grow a local climbing community through education, support and advocacy.
One Year…One Quest – America’s 428 National Parks
Speaker: Tom Wright
When: 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 26
What: Wright shares his quest to visit all 428 national parks in just one year and the exhilarating – and sometimes exhausting – travels across 50 states and four territories. Attendees will hear Wright’s best stories, learn how to follow in his footsteps and get a sneak peek at his new book, “One Year…One Quest: A World Record Trek.”
If Not Now...When?
Speakers: Uriah Langmeyer and Leolani Stanley
When: 7-8:30 p.m. March 5
What: Pack up and go with Langmeyer and Stanley as they take attendees on their adventures step-by-step, from how to minimize your belongings to grabbing a one-way ticket (with a bit of planning) to see what happens. The couple share the different places they ended up during their travels, the projects they were a part of and what life is like living in different parts of the world.
Extended Travel
Speakers: Mike and Dani Mortell
When: 7-8:30 p.m. march 19
What: The Mortells take attendees on a truck camper adventure with their dog and cat, as they travel from Alaska to Guatemala and beyond. After Dani’s ongoing struggle with long COVID brought them back to the states, they opened a business in Yellow Springs where they sell the same Scout Campers that they lived in for more than two years on the road. They empower others to embark on their own adventures as they share their experiences.
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