Mission-driven nonprofits do heroic work. They help support their communities in meaningful ways, from providing search-and-rescue services to feeding the hungry to rehabbing wildlife and more. That鈥檚 why the Presented by Chase has been recognizing deserving nonprofits annually since 2021, and now you can join the effort by on the 2025 finalists.

Each year, the program rewards U.S. and Canadian nonprofits that give back to their communities in unique and effective ways. For the six category winners, it鈥檚 a game changer: They get a customized Defender 130 and $30,000 each from the category sponsor. There鈥檚 more: All 30 finalists, including the ultimate winners, receive a $5,000 prize courtesy of presenting sponsor Chase. Since 2021, the program has gifted 24 customized Defenders and more than $1 million in cash.

Now in its fifth year, the Defender Service Awards has become a coveted prize for hardworking nonprofits. With its all-wheel-drive capability and expansive seating and cargo capacity, the Defender 130 enables charitable organizations to bring their services wherever they鈥檙e needed. That鈥檚 why almost 900 nonprofits submitted video applications for this year鈥檚 Defender Service Awards. The finalists鈥攆ive in each category鈥攏ow have a chance to make their case to you. Watch their videos, consider their mission and needs, and vote for your favorites by October 19. And yes, this is one contest where voting early and often is allowed鈥攜ou can vote once per day in all six categories. Below are the , including those for the Outdoor Accessibility and Education Award, sponsored by 国产吃瓜黑料. Vote for your favorites now!

Animal, Wildlife and Marine Welfare Award

Presented by Disney

By providing community shelters, wildlife rescue programs, and marine conservation, these nonprofits protect those without a voice.

Community Services Award

Presented by ei3

This category recognizes nonprofits that help communities through food, shelter, and environmental programs.

Search, Rescue & Emergency Support Services Award

Presented by Pelican

These organizations come to the rescue when accidents and natural disasters strike.听

Veteran & Civil Servant Outreach Award

Presented by Hearts & Science

From veterans to firefighters to police officers and more, the heroes who protect others receive much-needed support from these organizations.听

Outdoor Accessibility & Education Award

Presented by 国产吃瓜黑料 Interactive Inc.

This category recognizes nonprofits on a mission to get everyone outside, because everyone deserves to benefit from the power of the outdoors.听

Defender Service Honorees Award

Presented by S&P Global

This category recognizes previous finalists who didn鈥檛 win their category. Their dedication and commitment to helping their communities is so inspiring that they deserve a second chance to win a Defender 130.

embraces the impossible. Each member of the Defender family is purposefully designed, highly desirable, and seriously durable. A modern-day hero that respects the past but at the same time anticipates the future. Available in 90, 110, and 130 body styles and up to eight seats, each has a charisma of its own. A beacon of liberty since 1948, Defender supports humanitarian and conservation work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Tusk Trust. The Defender brand is underpinned by Land Rover鈥攁 mark of trust built on 75 years of expertise in technology and world-leading off-road capability. Defender is designed and engineered in the UK and sold in 121 countries. It belongs to the JLR house of brands, alongside Range Rover, Discovery, and Jaguar.

The post Vote Now on the 2025 Defender Service Awards appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

What if high school included kayaking classic whitewater in Patagonia, climbing tufas in Greece, riding A-Line in Whistler, or kiting perfect wind in Brazil鈥攚hile earning a diploma and applying to college? At (WCA), that鈥檚 just a typical semester. For 25 years, WCA has combined rigorous academics with elite-level adventure sports, creating a totally unique high school experience. From the Andes to the Amazon to the Alps, students don鈥檛 just learn鈥攖hey live their education. Climbing Academy alumnus-turned-instructor Kieran Hadley, MTB Academy head of school Riley Gardner, and dean of students Crista Wiles offer a behind-the-scenes look at how WCA is evolving, what makes its students stand out, and why this untraditional path leads to growth far beyond GPA or podiums.

Student Experience

Kieran Hadley, Alumnus and former Climbing Academy Program Director

国产吃瓜黑料: What is the lasting impact of WCA for students?

Kieran Hadley: The ability for WCA students to see the world through the lens of sport and learning is an unreal opportunity. In 2015, my senior year of high school, I climbed with my classmates and teachers in Maple Canyon, Ten Sleep, Joe鈥檚 Canyon, Ulldemolins, Albarrac铆n, Potrero Chico, El Salto, Bishop, and Las Vegas鈥攁ll in one year!

As a WCA Climbing Academy graduate, I left our program equipped with life skills that others often aren鈥檛 able to build in a traditional high school environment. I learned to adapt to new environments and situations more quickly, be a more effective team member, and understand how to set and achieve goals. Most importantly, students in the WCA programs develop new perspectives and social connections that stick with them long after graduation.

After graduating from WCA, my classmates and I approached life in a new way, having gained appreciation for process over achievement and community over competition. I went into my WCA program as a competitive climber and came out of it with an even greater passion for outdoor climbing and a community of friends to share that with, many of whom I鈥檓 still in contact with today. I saw the same evolution in my students when I returned to teach at the school. The WCA alumni I know are the type of people who 鈥済et it鈥濃�攚ho chase their goals humbly yet playfully, respect nature and the people around them, and pursue their sport at an elite level.

In what ways did your experience at WCA shape your career path or professional goals?

When I was a WCA student, one of my teachers read a piece of my writing and told me I should consider pursuing journalism. This recommendation from a trusted mentor planted a seed that followed me through my undergraduate education and pushed me to explore the field through internships and my own writing and photography. I eventually decided to go back to school to pursue a career in journalism, but I set that goal aside for a few years because I wanted to go back and teach at WCA, which was absolutely worth it. After teaching, I had saved enough for graduate school, and now I鈥檓 halfway through my master鈥檚 in journalism. So it鈥檚 sort of become a full circle that WCA both inspired and helped me to achieve.

Culture and Curriculum

Riley Gardner, WCA MTB Head of School

How is WCA evolving鈥攚hat鈥檚 available now, and what鈥檚 coming next?

Riley Gardner: World Class has got to be one of the most unique high schools out there. What sets us apart is our dedication to the highest caliber of athletic destinations to promote passion for sport and learning in our students. We are constantly advancing our academic curriculum, improving coaching practices, and expanding our destinations. Our current student-to-teacher ratios are 3:1, with about 20 students per academy. Our four academies are:

In 2024 and 2025, we also offered the 鈥攁 tuition-free version of the World Class Kayak Academy鈥攕pecifically designed for Indigenous youth, in preparation for the first source-to-sea descent of the undammed Klamath River. Beginning in the 2026鈥�2027 school year, we鈥檒l introduce our fifth program鈥�!

What do you consider when choosing academy destinations?

We operate our academies in some of the world鈥檚 most inspiring locations, setting WCA apart from other academic institutions. The athletic caliber of a destination is at the core of our school.

For mountain biking, we are looking for trails and MTB scenes that are considered to be the best in the world. We choose destinations that stand out as a global hot spot for the sport. Next, we review the environmental and cultural aspects of the destination. We look for places that are exciting and engaging places that our students are fired up on, with good local food and a variety of experiences beyond mountain biking. Finally, we examine logistics. The right accommodation is essential鈥攊t must support classrooms, morning workouts, nutritious meals, and storage for the massive amount of gear we bring along.

Before finalizing a location, I always consider how it fits within the broader itinerary for the school year. I ask myself: How does this destination balance with the others? Does it make sense in the context of where else we鈥檙e going? I want the yearlong itinerary to have a balance. I prefer to mix in classic WCA destinations like Whistler and Queenstown with more niche locales like Peru and Tasmania. Many factors go into choosing a location for WCA, but seeing it all come together鈥攁nd watching students be blown away by a place鈥攊s one of the most rewarding parts of my role. The considerations I put into MTB destinations are reflected in our other academies, where the kayak, climb, and kite heads of schools are asking similar questions and putting together equally standout yearlong itineraries.

World-Class Education

Crista Wiles, WCA Dean of Students

Who are your students?

Crista Wiles: Students come to WCA to complete their high school education while traveling to participate in the sport they love鈥攁 dream-come-true opportunity. They have varying levels of athletic expertise, but they are all motivated to learn from their athletic heroes and teachers (which turns out to be a terrific motivator for academic performance), grow as global citizens, and challenge themselves in a dynamic and engaging environment. Whether they attend for a semester or their whole high school career, students in our program will explore the world, push their limits, and connect with peers who share similar interests.

What sets our student body apart is not just athletic skill but the rapid development of character. Students come to WCA eager to learn from our expert staff and pursue their individual goals. They leave with even more growth than they imagined: a deeper understanding of themselves and a clearer vision for how they want to engage with the world. Through personalized life skills lessons, hands-on experience, and the college seminar, students learn the college process, explore new interests, and envision their future. By the time they leave WCA, they鈥檙e not just prepared for the next step鈥攖hey’re ready for wherever life takes them next.

What personal growth do you witness in students as they move through the program?

For many students, this is their first extended time away from home, and that offers a powerful opportunity for personal growth. Students develop character through the day-to-day realities of group living, independently managing responsibilities, and adapting to new routines while traveling internationally. The unique structure of our academic program鈥攕mall class sizes, personalized instruction, and deeply invested teachers鈥攁llows students to grow in confidence and capability in the classroom.

Athletically, they are immersed in their sport in some of the most iconic destinations in the world, with consistent training and meaningful coaching that fuels progress. They learn how to contribute to a team, navigate conflict, and hold themselves accountable.

Beyond these areas, I see students begin to explore who they want to be in the world. They gain independence, empathy, and self-awareness. WCA isn鈥檛 just a school: It鈥檚 a launchpad for the kind of growth that stays with students long after they leave.

is an accredited 501(c)(3) high school based in White Salmon, Washington. World Class Academy has been providing student athletes with a high school education since 2001. It currently runs four distinct internationally traveling high school academies for climbers, mountain bikers, whitewater kayakers, and kiteboarders.

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Anyone who鈥檚 ever owned a dog will understand the challenge. You buy an expensive dog bed, bring it home, and your dog refuses to sleep on it. Worse, the second there鈥檚 one piece of dog hair on it, you can鈥檛 return it. So bedrooms and closets fill up with useless chunks of foam, and hundreds of dollars are wasted. Meanwhile, your dog is getting dingleberries all over the couches, chairs, and beds that should be reserved for humans. With much trial, error鈥攁nd vacuuming鈥擨 have finally found solutions that work for my pack.

My wife, Virginia, and I have three dogs, all of whom have their own peculiar sleep behaviors. I鈥檇 intended to crate train Wiley when I adopted him more than 12 years ago, but the first night he was home, I fell asleep with him curled up on my belly while reading in bed, and woke up in the morning with him still there. A few years later, Virginia was the first girl he never tried to push out of his spot next to me in bed. The rest is history.

The joke in our house is that , our middle husky-German shepherd child, is only able to recharge his life-force when he鈥檚 touching both of us. So he鈥檚 slept between us every single night since he came home eight years ago.

And when we adopted Teddy shortly after our move to Montana, we invested years of work trying to get a dog who had suffered abuse, and was reluctant to trust humans, to learn to cuddle. But she鈥檚 so big that, even in our king size bed, there鈥檚 just not really room for her.

I鈥檝e tried virtually every product out there in an effort to move them out of our bed, and onto their own, so that all of us will hopefully be more comfortable.

Doggie cots seemed novel, since they lift the pups off the ground, provide good air flow, and should offer support. But our dogs can鈥檛 get used to the lack of stability, and won鈥檛 sit, let alone lie down on one. My neighbors appreciated the hand-me-down. The big, soft cushions they sell at box stores? Our dogs won鈥檛 even look at one.

The most luck I鈥檝e had has been with a thin, flimsy faux fur one I picked up at Costco during my monthly quest to bring home 120 pounds of chicken drumsticks to feed the dogs. During one visit only, they had a stack of the beds near the paper towels. I grabbed one just to try it, and Wiley fell in love immediately.

This model presents two problems, though: There鈥檚 not really any way to clean it, so even with daily vacuuming, it鈥檚 looking a little worse for wear. And Teddy insists on competing with her brothers for resources, so she steals it any chance she gets. Unfortunately, it鈥檚 way too small for her, so she just perches on it awkwardly, content in possession, but unable to sleep.

As Wiley ages, I have gotten more serious about trying to move his joints off the ground. Lately, more mornings than not, he鈥檚 waken up noticeably stiff, struggling to stand up off of that faux fur thing. So I was excited when Orvis launched a few years ago, which promised higher quality foams like those used in nice human mattresses.

The Recovery Zone pairs four-inches of durable, supportive medium density foam in its base with a one-inch top layer that鈥檚 much softer and more porous, providing cushion and airflow. The company has discontinued the exact model we use, but its covered in a polyester fleece that鈥檚 soft to the touch, yet easily vacuumed clean of fur.

The bed is designed to evenly distribute weight, and minimize pressure points. Perfect, I thought, for my aging dog鈥檚 sore joints. But, when it arrived and I put on the floor in the bedroom, for unknown reasons, Wiley returned to the comfort of the couch in the living room. The extra-large鈥檚 48-inch length ($319) just about fits Teddy, though, and she immediately claimed it as her own. She now splits time between it and our bed. A huge win for my back and legs.

I鈥檇 all but given up on finding something for Wiley, until I saw . That brand makes the strongest, safest kennels for transporting dogs in the back of your truck, and I鈥檝e been impressed by the quality of their dog bowls, training bumpers, and other accessories, too. The Homestead is made not from foam, but by a three-dimensional loop construction that鈥檚 impervious to liquids and provides support through tension. That core is then sheathed in a machine-washable fabric complete with durable zippers, and a non-slip base.

It shops uncompressed, and when the gigantic box containing a large ($300) arrived, I just sliced it open, threw it on the floor, and Wiley climbed right into it. Then, he fell asleep. That was yesterday afternoon, and he spent the entire night on the thing, and even returned to it for a nap earlier this afternoon. I think we found a winner.

What about Boo Boo? He鈥檇 never dare to touch his big sister鈥檚 bed, but has been sneaking power naps in on the new Gunner anytime Wiley鈥檚 not looking. That鈥檚 less time spent covering human furniture in white hair, which is its own kind of win. I don鈥檛 think we鈥檒l ever try to force him out of our bed at night though, simply for fear we might fully discharge his battery.

Wes Siler on Montana public lands with his three dogs. (Photo: )

Wes Siler, our longtime outdoor lifestyle columnist, likes dogs more than people. You can ask him for help developing your own healthy diet for canines or other questions around the outdoors through .听

The post I’ve Tested Dozens of Dog Beds. These Are the Only Ones My Pack Will Actually Use. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The is known for its stunning coastlines and iconic lighthouses鈥攂ut there’s far more to discover beyond the postcard views. What truly sets this string of islands apart is the spirit of the people who call it home.

From artists and farmers to weather forecasters and builders, the Outer Banks鈥� vibrant culture is shaped by the talents and stories of its locals.

Whether you鈥檝e visited many times or are exploring the area for the first time, offers a fresh, local perspective on what makes this place so unique. Watch all six episodes below.

Episode 1: 鈥楽ea to Table鈥�

The best flavors in the Outer Banks come straight from the Atlantic. And the hardworking locals who bring the harvest to shore know every rhythm of the marine ecosystem. They rise early to haul in shrimp, oysters, blue crabs, and wild-caught tuna. Their deep-rooted knowledge, passed through generations, protects both freshness and sustainable practices. In nearby kitchens and coastal eateries, chefs turn the day鈥檚 catch into iconic local dishes like buttery oysters, crispy soft-shell crab, and rich shrimp and grits.

Episode 2: 鈥楥rafted at Sea Level鈥�

Customized surfboards, locally distilled spirits, and solar-evaporated sea salt are only a few of the coastal creations coming out of the passionate makers in the Outer Banks. From the boards to the small batches of character-infused spirits, these colorful artisans capture the deep connection between art and environment. Each story is a tribute to tradition, sustainability, and the creativity that thrives here.

Episode 3: 鈥楲ocal Notes鈥�

The Outer Banks music scene knows no limits鈥攖he pristine natural environment inspires creativity in musicians and artists of all backgrounds. This vibrant soundscape comes to life in spontaneous beachfront jam sessions or intimate performances at cozy coastal bars, where the tidal rhythm influences both emerging talent and seasoned performers.

Episode 4: 鈥楾o Build a Boat鈥�

A calling to the water comes naturally for locals in the Outer Banks, but venturing beyond the sandy shores requires a reliable vessel. The region鈥檚 talented boatbuilders are keeping a rich tradition alive. Each boat is more than just a means of transportation鈥攊t鈥檚 a testament to ingenuity, endurance, and the enduring heritage of the master craftspeople who continue to shape the Outer Banks鈥� maritime identity.

Episode 5: 鈥榃ild Lens鈥�

Some moments on the Outer Banks can鈥檛 be recreated, but those are precisely the ones local photographers capture for a lifetime. Follow these visual storytellers as they breathe life into the coast鈥檚 natural beauty, from the dramatic skies above Bodie Island Lighthouse to the quiet dunes at sunrise. Each artist reveals a unique perspective shaped by personal connection and deep respect for the environment.

Episode 6: 鈥楳other Nature鈥檚 Playground鈥�

The only time the wind isn鈥檛 blowing on the Outer Banks is when it鈥檚 changing direction. The locals live by the weather, which is complicated and unpredictable. Every decision鈥攆rom fishing and farming to preparing for storms鈥攊s guided by a tactile understanding of the weather. Learn how this relationship with the elements shapes identity, livelihood, and community in a place where nature doesn鈥檛 just influence life, it defines it.

is the official destination marketing organization for the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Beyond promoting tourism, we support community-driven projects that enrich life on the barrier islands. We believe in the power of travel to connect people and cultures, and we鈥檙e committed to fostering a welcoming experience.

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During the first year of living with Halle鈥攁 German shepherd-border collie mix adopted at ten months old鈥擨 felt like a prisoner to my pet.

When guests came over, she believed it was her duty to drive out the invaders from our house, barking nonstop until they walked out the door. If we left her alone at home, she would panic, pace, and become destructive鈥擨 once swiftly returned after seeing her attempting to chew through her wire crate in the doggy viewing camera I鈥檇 installed. 国产吃瓜黑料, Halle screamed and threw her body against the leash when she saw another dog, overcome with strong emotions. She obsessed over rabbits and squirrels, blowing me off to pursue them; she once killed a baby bunny while leashed, snapping it up and shaking it to death before I could say 鈥渓eave it.鈥�

On the advice of trainers, I shrank our lives. I walked her early in the morning on steep, loose trails that no one else wanted to hike. Friends no longer came over to the house. If we saw a dog while we were out, I would sometimes hide with Halle behind a bush or car. In my quest to calm her down, most of my non-essential income went to trainers. One, after ten lessons with no result, suggested that perhaps some day Halle might simply 鈥済row out of it.鈥�

Today, more than two years after adopting Halle, we are in a better groove. Our communication is clearer, and many of her worst impulses have been tamed. I credit our success to better training advice and discovering canicross.

For those unfamiliar, canicross is the sport of trail running with your dog attached to you鈥攁nd, ideally, pulling ahead. The dog wears a special harness that allows unfettered movement, which is clipped to a bungee line attached to the human鈥檚 running waist belt. Originally an off-season activity for sled dogs, handlers use similar commands to mushers, instructing their dogs to 鈥渉ike鈥� and 鈥済ee鈥� and 鈥渉aw鈥濃�擜KA hurry up, go right, and go left. In recent years, the sport has taken on a life of its own, with national organizations, local groups, and races.

For Halle and me, it started as a bit of an accident. Tired of being dragged by her on our pre-dawn hikes, I made a knot in her 15-foot leash, clipped it around my waist, and ran a three-mile loop on the trails (note that I do not recommend this sketchy setup). For once, her frantic behavior was not a problem鈥攊nstead, her pulling made my uphills a little easier.

Later that day, I took her on a walk through a busy park on the same long leash. She didn鈥檛 bark or lunge at the dogs; she seemed more interested in exploring and sniffing. Maybe the run removed some of her pent-up frustration.

So much of what we ask of pet dogs is in conflict with their instincts and desires. For instance: walking by our sides. Many dogs naturally walk faster than us鈥攎eeting our pace probably feels like getting stuck behind a slow driver in the left lane. Dogs want to explore, sniff, and run in their limited time outside, and walks on a short leash can鈥檛 satisfy those needs.

Of course, dogs still have to fit into our world鈥攍earning to walk nicely on a leash, come when called, potty outside, and otherwise behave are essential to living harmoniously with humans. But when dogs don鈥檛 have outlets for their natural behaviors, owners sometimes find themselves playing dog training whack-a-mole, engaged in a never-ending battle to stop problematic barking, pulling, jumping, and digging.

That鈥檚 why having a mutually enjoyable activity is so important. A shared sport bolsters the canine-human relationship, which in turn makes it easier to do necessary-but-less-fun training.

By allowing Halle to run full-steam ahead, we finally had a shared purpose: shredding the trails. I found an online class on pulling sports and ordered proper equipment. Halle learned commands for walking to the end of the leash, speeding up, slowing down, left turns, and right turns.

I taught her that sudden sniff stops were a no-no, as was dragging me down loose slopes, but those rules came relatively easily just like how we humans accept rules in sports and board games.

国产吃瓜黑料 of canicross, we also focused on life skills, teaching a reliable 鈥渃ome鈥� and 鈥渉eel,鈥� and practicing around dogs, squirrels, and other distractions. We used play to build impulse control, too, progressively strengthening her 鈥渄rop it,鈥� 鈥渨ait,鈥� and other commands around toys she was eager to chase.

Last fall, I met with another Reno canicross runner and her dog, and saw how all the running and training had paid off. I was nervous ahead of the run with Halle鈥檚 history of unruly and explosive behavior around dogs.

We started the run behind the other team. Halle was amped to see another dog, but she channelled her energy into pulling me up a switchback. Within 20 minutes, we were jogging and hiking close enough to have a conversation. Halle looked unsure around the new dog, but also glanced backward with worry when we lost sight of them after turning a corner鈥攕he seemed to realize we were a group and wanted to stick together. She made more progress over a one-hour run than she had over multiple training sessions with a trainer鈥檚 dog. She and Chase, the husky-pitbull mix, are now good friends.

In April, we entered our first race together in Susanville, California. Halle hunched nervously between the runners as we were crammed together at the start line. But once we started running, she was on fire. I flew the first two miles as she threw her weight into the harness鈥攔ace volunteers joked that I was cheating (it was a dog-friendly , but not explicitly canicross). She galloped past distractions she鈥檇 never encountered before, including photographers and volunteers ringing bells. After missing an unlabelled turn, we ended up running an extra mile and a half, but she was a better sport about it than me. She got her second wind after seeing a squirrel at mile five, giving me a much-needed boost.

After the race, we basked in our accomplishment. We might have botched the actual course, but we had cleared a hurdle in a larger race. In a new place amid crowds, our teamwork had shone through, and we ran together without a hitch.

Now, I鈥檓 organizing group runs in my area to build more interest in the sport. Maybe other people struggling with their pups can realize the potential and teamwork that canicross brings about.

The post How Canicross Saved My Relationship with My Unruly Rescue Dog appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The entry period for the Presented by Chase is now open, so if you work for a deserving nonprofit, know someone who does, or simply want to make sure your favorite charitable organization gets a shot, now is the time to act.

聽embraces the impossible. Each member of the Defender family is purposefully designed, highly desirable and seriously durable. A modern鈥慸ay hero that respects the past but at the same time anticipates the future. Available in 90, 110 and 130 body styles, with up to eight seats, each has a charisma of its own. The tough luxury Defender OCTA is the master of performance 鈥� taking performance and capability to another level on and off鈥憆oad. A beacon of liberty that can trace its heritage back to the first Land Rover in 1948, Defender is a brand that supports humanitarian and conservation work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Tusk Trust. The Defender brand is underpinned by Land Rover 鈥� a mark of trust built on more than 75 years of expertise in technology and world鈥憀eading off鈥憆oad capability. Defender vehicles are designed and engineered in the UK and sold in 121 countries. It belongs to the JLR house of brands alongside Range Rover, Discovery and Jaguar.

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It鈥檚 the season we celebrate dads and grads鈥攖wo groups who have plenty of fans. Two groups who can benefit from a gift that allows them to be self-sufficient, able to solve problems, and ready for adventures of all sorts. A high-quality, durable multi-tool will do that for years to come.

Tim Leatherman had the idea for the first-ever multi-tool鈥攅quipped with needle-nose pliers鈥攚hen he and his wife were traveling around Europe as young twentysomethings on a budget. They often found themselves needing to fix leaky plumbing and the fussy Fiat 600 they bought in the Netherlands.

For the past four decades, Leatherman has pioneered the design of ever better and more capable tools, enabling people to tackle everything from minor repairs to saving their own lives (). The storied brand continues to design and manufacture knives and multi-tools in Portland, Oregon, and every Leatherman comes with a 25-year limited warranty. What better gift to give the dads in your life and the grads heading off on their next adventures, whatever they may be?

For Father鈥檚 Day

Enable Dad to tackle DIY jobs and outdoor adventures by putting fix-it options in the palm of his hand

($250): The most premium tool on the market, the ARC puts 20 tools at your fingertips and is one-hand operable. From a knife blade made of MagnaCut steel, which maintains its sharp edge and resists corrosion, to a suite of features including a bit driver, awl, wire cutter, and needle-nose pliers, the ARC sets the standard as the top-of-the-line tool.

($120): The bestselling multi-tool of all time features 18 tools, many of which鈥攊ncluding scissors, screwdrivers, a bottle opener, and a wire stripper鈥攃an be accessed with the tool in its folded and closed position. Open it up, and the Wave+ equips Dad with tools like a saw, knife, and diamond-coated wood/metal file.

($90): Perfect for the DIY dad who wants a tool that鈥檚 full-featured but a little more compact, the Rebar packs 17 tools鈥攊ncluding two kinds of pliers, an electrical crimper, and wire stripper鈥攊nto a four-inch frame. All 17 tools lock into position and won鈥檛 fold under pressure. A range of color options allows for personalization.

($140): The Signal is ideal for dads who camp, fish, and backpack. Measuring 4.5 inches, this multi-tool features 19 tools, including a fire-starting ferro rod, safety whistle, and built-in hammer that comes in handy for anchoring tent stakes. Bonus: Find just the right look for every dad with a new-for-summer range of color options.

For Graduation

Nothing says 鈥渞eady for the next adventure鈥� like graduation鈥攅quip new grads for the journey with a high-performance multi-tool

($55): Since when did 50 bucks put so many functional items in the palm of your hand? The ten-tool Leatherman packs down to a mere 2.5 inches and can clip to a keychain. Tools like tweezers, a nail file, and spring-action scissors make this a no-brainer gift for any grad.

($70): At just 5.8 ounces and with a contoured, ergonomic design for comfort, the Bond is a great choice for grads who appreciate sleek style and easy carrying. But there鈥檚 no compromise on function: The Bond is packed with 14 tools and comes with a matching carrying sheath.

($90): This tool somehow manages to be both minimalist and totally capable, with a 2.6-inch knife blade, a large bit driver, and five other tools. A nice touch most grads (and probably dads) will appreciate: The carabiner loop doubles as a bottle opener. The Skeletool CX is available in an array of colors.

($70): The Wingman packs 14 tools into a 3.8-inch package and includes a combo straight-edge and serrated knife that enhances versatility. Designed with everything a grad may need for jobs around the house, apartment, condo, or campsite, it鈥檚 the perfect wingman.

Founded in 1983 by Tim Leatherman, Oregon-based Leatherman Tool Group is the world鈥檚 largest manufacturer of high-quality multipurpose products. Built upon three principles鈥攗nwavering perseverance, ingenious design, and the ability to save the day鈥擫eatherman has empowered people around the world to solve problems big and small. Leatherman is proudly based and manufactured in Portland, Oregon, where the brand鈥檚 factory is located in the same building as the company headquarters. Learn more at .

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For Bryn Merrell, art began as a necessity. When she first started painting, she was working as a guide for a bike touring company. 鈥淎s guides, we didn鈥檛 have much time to ourselves because we were always making breakfast, fixing flat tires, figuring out logistics, and answering questions,鈥� she says. It was rare that she got a moment to breathe, let alone soak in the beauty of the vast western landscapes she was lucky enough to call her office. 鈥淚 started painting on those trips because it forced me to slow down and soak it all up a little bit while I could,鈥� Merrell says. 鈥淚t would help calm this feeling of burnout.鈥�

Painting also gave her a new perspective on outdoor recreation. This was a way of getting to know the natural world on a more intimate level鈥攊ts textures, colors, and intricacies鈥攁nd to enjoy it without having to worry about achieving or conquering. Art has since become a for Merrell, but it still feels meditative, even after all these years. And it鈥檚 still a way for her to reconnect with herself and what matters. Painting Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone, she said, left her with a feeling of overwhelming gratitude. 鈥淲e鈥檙e so lucky that we protected these places,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to bring my daughter back to enjoy them some day.鈥�

The Prismatic Spring Color Wheel

Every concentric ring of Yellowstone National Park鈥檚 Grand Prismatic geothermal pool correlates to a different temperature, and therefore a different pigment. Here鈥檚 where the colors come from.

Blue: Clean water at the spring鈥檚 heated center is too hot to host bacteria.
‍ Green: Chlorophyll forms in a blue-green algae (Synechococcus) that loves warm water.
Yellow: Carotenoids (the same things that make carrots orange) are found in a bacteria that likes lukewarm temperatures.
Orange: Green, yellow, and red colors blend in a bacteria (Chloroflexi) that has both carotenoids and chlorophyll.
‍ Red: A mix of different bacteria that thrive in cooler temperatures makes this striking color.

Raise a Toast: Prismatic Cooler

Celebrate a great day in the national park with this custom recipe and聽, which was founded in 1872 to honor America鈥檚 first national park, and which continues to聽聽the national park system today.

Glassware: Collins

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Yellowstone Bourbon Rum Cask
• 4 oz lemonade
• 3/4 oz butterfly pea simple syrup
• 1鈥�2 oz seltzer water
• Mint or lemon for garnish

Directions

• Fill Collins glass with ice.
• Combine all ingredients into the glass and top with seltzer water.
• Gently stir.

Established in 1872, was crafted to honor the sprawling wonder of America鈥檚 first national park. It鈥檚 what first inspired us to create approachably smooth whiskey for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and why we still do it today.

The post How Yellowstone Inspires Art appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

When Malou Anderson-Ramirez left her family ranch in Wyoming for an East Coast boarding school at age 15, she felt like she鈥檇 landed on another planet. Suddenly, she was surrounded by kids who spent their nights and weekends practicing piano or playing team sports. Meanwhile, she was used to spending her spare time feeding animals or birthing lambs.

鈥淢y parents taught us that you can鈥檛 sit down to dinner or breakfast if there are hungry animals outside,鈥� Anderson-Ramirez says. 鈥淲e were raised with the notion that they鈥檙e kin, and kin take care of each other.鈥� That sense of connection drove her to pursue a career in animal-assisted therapy, then, eventually, back to her family鈥檚 ranch on the border of Yellowstone National Park.

In 2009, Anderson-Ramirez and her husband dedicated themselves to transforming the ranch into a center for education and regenerative agriculture. Her 鈥攁nd the animals that call it home鈥攈as never been stronger. 鈥淚 try to be a voice for the wildlife who need someone to speak for them,鈥� she says.

Boots on the Ground

Get to know the park inside and out on these top five hikes.听

Trout Lake Loop (1.2 miles)

For a short-but-sweet loop hike just off the main road, target Trout Lake, an alpine tarn north of Soda Butte Canyon. Go early in the morning, when the water鈥檚 glassy surface reflects the peaks of the Absaroka Range.

Avalanche Peak (4.6 miles)
This 10,568-foot summit offers sweeping vistas of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, including a bird鈥檚-eye view of Yellowstone Lake. Start at the peak鈥檚 eponymous trailhead and switchback straight up to the iconic summit.

Fairy Falls (5.6 miles)
Experience all the park鈥檚 greatest hits in a single afternoon on this half-day romp. A gently rolling trail will carry you past the neon marvel of Grand Prismatic Spring, 200-foot Fairy Falls, and two geysers, Spray and Imperial.

Mount Washburn (6.4 miles)
Tackle the climb to Mount Washburn鈥檚 10,243-foot summit, and you鈥檒l be rewarded with panoramic views of the craggy Washburn and Absaroka Ranges. Pro tip: Aim to summit at sunrise, and climb the historic fire lookout tower for an even better vantage point.

Continental Divide Trail to Shoshone Geyser Basin (20 miles)
This one鈥檚 an all-day affair, but it鈥檚 well worth the sunrise starting gun. Head out from the Lone Star Trailhead and trace the Firehole River for 20 miles, winding past spouting geysers, boiling springs, and other thermal features.

Raise a Toast: Horsefeather

Celebrate a great day in the national park with this custom recipe and , which was founded in 1872 to honor America鈥檚 first national park, and which continues to the national park system today.

Glassware: Collins

Ingredients

• 2 oz Yellowstone Select Bourbon
• 4 oz ginger beer
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Lime wheel or wedge for garnish

Instructions

• Fill Collins glass with ice.
• Combine all ingredients into the glass and top with ginger beer.
• Add two dashes of Angostura bitters and gently stir.

Established in 1872, was crafted to honor the sprawling wonder of America鈥檚 first national park. It鈥檚 what first inspired us to create approachably smooth whiskey for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and why we still do it today.

The post A Real Yellowstone Rancher Shares Her Story appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Four years before I was born, in the summer of 1984, my parents hiked to the fire lookout on Yellowstone鈥檚 10,210-foot Mount Washburn and wrote their names in the lime-green federal supply service logbook stored inside. They were newly engaged. She was a 22-year-old nursing student from rural Minnesota who鈥檇 left behind the cornfields for a summer job folding sheets and working reception at the park鈥檚 Canyon Lodge; he was a 24-year-old ski patroller who spent off-seasons pumping gas at the Yellowstone Park Service Station (YPSS) at Canyon Village. Taking advantage of the long daylight of the Wyoming summer, they dashed out of work and hiked the six-mile trail from Chittenden Road, reaching the two-story, panoramic lookout with just enough time to get back to the car before dark.

8/14/84

Amy Peltier, Litchfield MN

Note to Steve Brown鈥擨鈥檒l meet you here Aug 25, 2018

I love you! 鈥擜my

Steve Brown, Sandpoint, Idaho (also Canyon YPSS) Wow what a surprise to meet my fianc茅 on this obscure mountain outpost. Thanks for showing up, Amy. P.S. Try not to eat so many flowers on the way down.

My dad doesn鈥檛 remember the flower joke. My mom doesn鈥檛 remember why she picked 2018. August 25 was the day summer park employees celebrated 鈥淐hristmas,鈥� with extravagant holiday decorations and gifts鈥攁 way to wind down the season together. This explains the many Merry Christmas messages written in the same register ten days later, including another from my mom after she鈥檇 hiked up the mountain again with two of her summer friends.

8/24/84 Never thought I鈥檇 come up here with 2 easterners. Love ya Foz and Sheila. See you up here next year, Christmas Eve.

Amy Peltier

Litchfield, Minnesota

Canyon Employee0

My parents met at the employee bar in the basement of Canyon Lodge. She was with friends, and he bought her a beer. It was only a matter of weeks before my dad called his sister to tell her he鈥檇 met the woman he was going to marry. His grandmother helped him buy a ring.

Over the two summers they worked in the park, my parents went adventuring. They drove my dad鈥檚 1970 green Chevy truck down a nearly impassable road deep into the Beartooths and hiked to Grasshopper Glacier鈥攏amed for the thousands of extinct insects found frozen in its ice. They paddled a Huck Finn鈥搒tyle log raft around an alpine lake in the Wind River Range. Sometimes they just walked the loop of boardwalks around the park鈥檚 Norris Geyser basin after work, or along the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River to the Artist Point overlook. After my mom went back to school in Minnesota, they wrote hundreds of letters. When she graduated, my dad took the bus out to marry her.

I know what they wrote on Washburn because after a lightning strike burned one of Yellowstone鈥檚 historic fire lookouts to the ground, my mom texted our family鈥檚 group thread, frantic that the summit books might have burned, too. And so I went to look for them. I started thinking about how my family, and so many like ours, had left little fragments of themselves in notebooks and ammo cans on top of mountains. The spontaneous messages drafted in a surge of summit exhilaration, or love or loneliness, or in memory of someone who wasn鈥檛 there. Or simply in wonder at the supplicatory beauty of this blue-green earth.

The post Why Do We Leave Notes on Top of Mountains? It鈥檚 Personal. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.