Hi, I’m Meghan, and a thrill seeker I am not. This isn’t a confession or an admission of some kind of weakness. It’s simply a statement of fact. 

No one — and I do mean no one — has ever called me adventurous or a risk taker. I was the kid you never had to worry about making bad decisions or risky choices, and that has carried over into adulthood. I like to play it safe, and I like to keep my feet planted firmly on the ground. (Seriously; I don’t even like to fly.)

Another thing I am not is a fitness enthusiast. Sure, I try to get my steps in every day. I walk my dog regularly, and when I’m looking for a more vigorous workout, I hit my local trail or take a long, winding route around my neighborhood to log some miles. In the winter I will hit the treadmill or recumbent bike in our home gym. What I don’t do is run or ski or rock climb or anything like that. (Those last two activities would both fall under the category of risk taking for me.) I don’t even like to ride my bike outside.

The thing I’m starting to realize is that playing it safe can be a little boring. I could be doing more and seeing more if I stepped outside my comfort zone just a little bit. I’m not talking triathlons and whitewater rafting and skydiving; I’m talking snowshoeing and camping and leisurely bike rides.

So that’s what I am going to do. In 2026, I am going to wander through the preserves in ways I haven’t before. And I’m going to document these decidedly low-key adventures in the hopes of encouraging others to step outside of their comfort zones just a little bit too.

We’re calling it Wander at Will, and throughout the year you’ll be seeing stories and videos and more detailing my pursuits. I’ll share my experiences camping — something I haven’t done in decades — and making an effort to regularly log some miles on my bike, something I haven’t done much at all as an adult. One month I’ll challenge myself to see if I can log 50 miles walking in the preserves, and I’ll spend some time this summer exploring the preserves by kayak. 

For many people, these adventures might seem pretty tame, boring even. But I’m guessing there are many others who are like me and have played it pretty safe in their outdoor pursuits or who are maybe even a little intimidated by spending time in nature. Wander at Will is for those people, the ones who need a little encouragement to try something new or who can benefit from seeing someone else try something first to see how their own experience might be.   

Because if I, a proud risk-averse adult, can make a point to try new things and be more active while enjoying time in nature, anyone can. Trust me on this.

Starting in January, I’ll start sharing my experiences. So, look for me when you’re out enjoying the preserves this year. I’ll be out there as much as I can be, trying to embrace a more adventurous spirit. If you see me, stop and say hello. I’d love to hear about your adventures. In the meantime, I hope you’ll be wandering at will too. 

— Meghan McMahon, digital marketing coordinator