9 Exciting Ways to Start Your Morning

By JoAnn Bell, Senior Vice President of Program Development at Road Scholar

As the alarm rings its intrusive greeting, you open one eye and look at the clock — the numbers confirm that it’s time to start the day. There are many things to be said for the comfort of a daily routine, but what if you could start off your morning in a very non-typical way?

If you’re looking to freshen up your morning routine, check out our suggestions for nine exciting ways to start your day.

Be the first to watch the sun rise

As the first pinpoints of sunlight begin to make their way to the United States, there is one state that is guaranteed to be the first to welcome in the new dawn: Maine. From October until early March, Cadillac Mountain — standing at 1,528 feet in Arcadia National Park — is privy to the first sunrise sightings in the country. This distinction is then passed on in the summer months to Mars Hill, located approximately 150 miles northeast from Acadia. During the in-between times of the equinoxes, West Quoddy Head in Lubec — the easternmost point in the U.S. — shares this unique sunrise honor.

Enjoy a cup of coffee

For many coffee enthusiasts, the quality of one’s morning brew can make or break the day. There’s no better place to take that first sip than in Seattle, a city that has built a reputation and culture on the ultimate coffee experience. Home to coffee giant Starbucks, the Emerald City is also a haven for myriad independent roasters, coffee shops and coffeehouses. Espressos, lattes, cappuccinos and regular joe take on the flavors and styles of their purveyors — and rarely are they served without an atmosphere filled with art, music or poetry.

Reel in the first catch of the day

At dawn, rivers and streams become a hotbed of activity as fish dine on a breakfast of insects landing on the water — a pattern that many avid fly fishermen hope will lead to a bite on their own fly lines. Hours of fly tying and perfecting one’s casting techniques prepare anglers for their dreams of catching “the big one.” For those dreaming of the monster catch, few other locations offer fly fishing enthusiasts a bounty like that of the streams in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. Crystal-clear rivers and lakes are alive with activity and sizable species, including rainbow, brown, speckled and bull trout.

Go to class

Reading, writing and arithmetic commence school days around the world, leaving students and teachers with much to do in the early hours of the day. For some, attending school is much more difficult than for others — family hardships, poverty and daily life prove to be significant challenges in obtaining a quality education. Begin your next school day by helping to tutor Navajo schoolchildren in their reservation classrooms, aiding teachers with classroom activities and mentoring students one-on-one. In turn, you’ll gain a privileged look into Navajo culture and history as you meet students and learn about their daily lives. A love of learning and of sharing is all you will need to make this school experience one that you’ll never forget.

Hit the links

Mornings are often the best time to head out to the fairway — the temperatures are cool, energy is high and few

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others have made their way to the green. But golfers everywhere know that there is far more to the game than a local country club or driving range can offer; the game of golf is one of distinction, and certain courses have earned their levels of prestige. The state of California proudly boasts a number of excellent golf courses, most notably located in Pebble Beach and Palm Springs. With the legendary Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods frequenting these courses — and tournaments such as the U.S. Open being held on their grounds — a golfing enthusiast could do no better than to play 18 holes on some of the most famous greens in the world.

Take a hot bath

The water that awakens you doesn’t have to be part of your daily bath. Iceland’s breathtaking landscape offers an array of water forms to invigorate your senses. The beauty of its fjords will awaken your imagination, while the spray of its geysers and waterfalls will revitalize your perspective. A swim in Iceland’s hot springs — courtesy of the island’s volcanic activity — offers a warm bath like no other while the springs such as the Blue Lagoon also provide heat and water to surrounding residents.