Who We Are
We’re seniors with a purpose… to encourage anyone at any age, to engage with their surroundings with curiosity, meaning, and depth. A debilitating physical illness called for Jared, and we answered by hiking all Minnesota’s State Parks and in doing so, we discovered much, much more.
Meet Jared & Melinda…
About Jared
I’m a Minnesota boy by birth…and by choice, returning home after living on both sides of America. I value our wealth of fresh water, four distinct seasons, environmental causes, colorful history, and cultural communities.
This life of an “outdoorsy” guy (hiking, biking, skiing), has given me lots of experience. Even so, I was surprised to discover how much I had yet to learn and appreciate about a place I thought I knew so well. With a career in broadcast communications (WCCO FM), and singing around the world, I can hardly wait to show and tell you more.
About Melinda
My life’s journey brought me to Minnesota, echoing my family’s love of travel, the outdoors, and sharing people’s stories. To tell our adventures, I’d capture them on camera, then weave history, culture and music through it all.
Jared and I enjoy the same enthusiasm for adventure and learning from places and people around the world. Philanthropy is my vocation (now as a volunteer), having served the U of MN Foundation, Courage Center, MPR, Twin Cities PBS, and as an educator for the PBS Foundation.
…and Boomer!
These soulful puppy eyes earned me my forever home. Was I smart! I chose Jared, curled up on his feet, and wouldn’t move without him. My boys Alex and Evan needed me too and Melinda became my dog mom. My Border Collie-Flat Coat Retriever breed meant I could pull them up hills, chase sticks until their arms fell off, and swim forever in our lakes and rivers. I was their faithful hiking companion.