#64: Migrating Butterflies and Bike Rides with Sara Dykman
Sara Dykman is the founder of beyondabook.org, which is all about creating and encouraging lifelong learners and people curious about the world around them. Sara works in amphibian research and as an outdoor educator and has had PLENTY of cool adventures, like walking from Mexico to Canada, canoeing the Missouri River from source to sea, and cycling over 80,000 miles across North and South America.
Put simply, Sara likes to dream big—and encourages other people to do the same.
Her latest adventure found her traveling more than 10,000 miles from Mexico to Canada and back to Mexico, following the migration of monarch butterflies. Sara chronicled that trip into Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201 Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration, a book she calls “part science, part adventure, part love letter to nature.”
After listening to this episode, you’ll want to get outside and explore your surroundings.
Highlights of our conversation include:
A great elevator story from Sara’s trip. (3:15)
How Sara got involved in the monarch migration and her early interest in animals, especially ones that are often overlooked. (5:03)
Sara maps out her journey and the logistics of planning such a massive ride. (8:57)
The people Sara met along the way and what kinds of help they offered during her trip. (12:58)
Sara recalls one of the most memorable meals she had. (15:17)
We each share horror stories about mechanical issues with our bikes in a foreign land. (17:55)
The watercolor prints Sara creates and shares with folks to help support her journey. (21:40)
What Sara hopes her trip inspires other people to do. (23:28)
The things you can expect to find in Sara’s book. (26:22)
Sara’s favorite games and activities from her childhood. (32:00)
Where to find Sara Dykman:
Check out Sara’s work and pick up a copy of Bicicyling with Butterflies at beyondabook.org or follow her on Facebook.
Sara also has a ton of events coming up this week!
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