Caving

***Journey to the far reaches of beautiful Norway in Winter to witness one of the most spellbinding phenomena in the natural world by night.*** **HOW DO I JOIN THIS TRIP?** **For more detailed info & to get entry for this trip, click on link below 👇🏽:** [https://www.eventbrite.de/e/norway-northern-lights-dancing-auroras-ancient-culture-tickets-1589618474649?aff=meetup](https://www.eventbrite.de/e/norway-northern-lights-dancing-auroras-ancient-culture-tickets-1589618474649?aff=meetup) **If you have WhatsApp, please do join this WhatsApp group below to further discuss about this trip:** [https://go.unt.global/Aurora_Europe_Trips](https://go.unt.global/Aurora_Europe_Trips) **Note: Flights inclusive price can be provided on request from any European city, so you can either join the Whatsapp group to further discuss this or post a comment here in order to get more details on it.** **WHY GO?** What better way to experience the Aurora Borealis aka Northern lights than in the city of northern lights, Alta. In Norwegian, Eventyr means both 'adventure' and 'fairy tale.' This is the perfect word to describe Alta, as it is a perfect place for active adventures in the mountains, forests and fjords that are reminiscent of fairy tale landscapes. The cold and long winters provide excellent conditions for dog sledding, skiing, snowmobiling, and other adventure activities. A modern city in Northern Norway surrounded by the arctic tundra and mountains, Alta is the ideal combination of natural and urban elements. The celestial dance of lights, known as Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is a phenomena as old as Earth’s atmosphere. The first record of Aurora Borealis is believed to be in a 30,000-year-old cave painting in France. Since then, cultures around the world have marveled at its magic, giving rise to many fascinating legends and folklore. In Norway alone, symbols linked to the northern lights are found on the Sámi shamanistic drum. They call it “Guovssahas,” i.e. “the light that can be heard.” During the Viking Age, the northern lights were said to be the armor of the Valkyrie warrior virgins that shed a strange flickering light. Today, locals respectfully refer to the lights as “the green lady.” Please do join our Whatsapp / Telegram channel for updates about our future trips including possible early bird discounts, contests etc. 1. [Whatsapp Channel](https://go.unt.global/travelgroup) 2. [Telegram Channel](https://t.me/urbanaturetravel)

***Journey to the far reaches of beautiful Norway in Winter to witness one of the most spellbinding phenomena in the natural world by night.*** **HOW DO I JOIN THIS TRIP?** **For more detailed info & to get entry for this trip, click on link below 👇🏽:** [https://www.eventbrite.de/e/norway-northern-lights-dancing-auroras-ancient-culture-tickets-1589618474649?aff=meetup](https://www.eventbrite.de/e/norway-northern-lights-dancing-auroras-ancient-culture-tickets-1589618474649?aff=meetup) **If you have WhatsApp, please do join this WhatsApp group below to further discuss about this trip:** [https://go.unt.global/Aurora_Europe_Trips](https://go.unt.global/Aurora_Europe_Trips) **Note: Flights inclusive price can be provided on request from any European city, so you can either join the Whatsapp group to further discuss this or post a comment here in order to get more details on it.** **WHY GO?** What better way to experience the Aurora Borealis aka Northern lights than in the city of northern lights, Alta. In Norwegian, Eventyr means both 'adventure' and 'fairy tale.' This is the perfect word to describe Alta, as it is a perfect place for active adventures in the mountains, forests and fjords that are reminiscent of fairy tale landscapes. The cold and long winters provide excellent conditions for dog sledding, skiing, snowmobiling, and other adventure activities. A modern city in Northern Norway surrounded by the arctic tundra and mountains, Alta is the ideal combination of natural and urban elements. The celestial dance of lights, known as Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, is a phenomena as old as Earth’s atmosphere. The first record of Aurora Borealis is believed to be in a 30,000-year-old cave painting in France. Since then, cultures around the world have marveled at its magic, giving rise to many fascinating legends and folklore. In Norway alone, symbols linked to the northern lights are found on the Sámi shamanistic drum. They call it “Guovssahas,” i.e. “the light that can be heard.” During the Viking Age, the northern lights were said to be the armor of the Valkyrie warrior virgins that shed a strange flickering light. Today, locals respectfully refer to the lights as “the green lady.” Please do join our Whatsapp / Telegram channel for updates about our future trips including possible early bird discounts, contests etc. 1. [Whatsapp Channel](https://go.unt.global/travelgroup) 2. [Telegram Channel](https://t.me/urbanaturetravel)

A space for working on projects & learning new stuff together. 💻☕️ Please RSVP if you intend to join, as we have limited space. 😊

Try Brompton is a Brompton experience ride for those considering purchasing a Brompton. The purpose of this ride is to deepen your understanding of Brompton bikes, ride courses designed to fully enjoy Bromptons, rediscover the city, experience new ways to enjoy it, and experience the lifestyle that comes with owning a Brompton. We guide participants through folding techniques and shifting the internal gear hub—a common source of confusion for first-time riders—while riding. By comparing different bikes, we help riders deeply understand each model's characteristics, supporting them in making an informed choice and purchase. https://www.komoot.com/tour/2544443144?share_token=aHITulkVldsQO8ZTduViGdGjVF2ZkFee5TKZ6D4484fY5EXfHK&ref=wtd

Unser internationales Sprachcafé richtet sich an Alt- und Neu-Berliner\*innen, Reisende und Anwohner\*innen - alle sind willkommen! Bei heißem Tee und Kaffee und frischen Waffeln könnt ihr mit Menschen aus aller Welt ins Gespräch kommen. Um das Eis zu brechen, haben wir verschiedene Spieleinheiten vorbereitet - wie zum Beispiel ein Kennlern-Bingo, Impro-Theater-Übungen und ein kleines Berlin-Quiz. Selbstverständlich ist die Teilnahme an den Spielen freiwillig und ihr könnt euch gerne einfach gemütlich unterhalten. Wir möchten vor allem Sprachstudierende ermutigen teilzunehmen, und Berlin in diesem Rahmen aus verschiedenen Perspektiven kennenzulernen, persönliche Kontakte zu knüpfen und in das kulturelle Kiezleben der Stadt einzutauchen. Teilnahme auf Spendenbasis

SQUASH SWEAT + TEARS WOMEN / MEN ACTIVITIES Players meetup at the club, play squash (with others around any level), train (if they wish), watch & learn from better players, make new friends, have a few drinks. Please be aware, we must take care to use our allotted courts. We arrange for these based on the sign-up lists. If many people sign up, but do not appear then the courts go unused and those on the waiting list miss a chance to play. In order to ensure this if a party on the attending list has not appeared, their future reservations will be moved to the waiting list. In addition, reservations will be allowed up to fourteen days in advance only. PRICE: €12 Kindly pay at the front-desk reception "before" you play on a squash court. Free for club members. COURTS 3 courts (1 + 2 + 3) @ 18:00 to 21:00 NEW JOINERS / TOTAL BEGINNERS We, the organizers — Oliva or James— are always available to teach you the basics and improve your skills to learn the rules and get introduced to players. Ask for "demo racket" at front-desk if you don't have one. PARTICIPANT RULES 1. RSVP to participate in meetup and play. MAX is 12 players. 2. Cancel your RSVP if you cannot attend. Be courteous to others who would like to attend. 3. Pay fee at club front-desk before playing. Thanks for your understanding and support AIRPORT SQUASH & FITNESS CLUB WEBSITE http://www.airportsquash.de Become a club member for 36 EUR per month and play UNLIMITED! SQUASH CLUB INTERIOR as a [3d view](https://www.keepeyeonball.com/Tour/d77705fd-24dd-44a1-9f12-15bf3648036b/4K?sc=7&y=110&p=-1&tz=100&r=-1.13;0.18&l=0.00;0.00&mz=-8.70&d=0&m=1) courtesy oc keepeyeonball.

Have you always wanted to learn bouldering but never had the right company? Or are you an experienced boulderer who just wants to find boulder-buddies? If yes, this is the right event for you. We are going to meet inside "urban apes Basement Boulderstudio", close to S Anhalter Bahnhof, also not far from Potsdamer Platz. If you have never been there, you will need to sign up with them, which will take a bit of time. After that, **you can find us on the couches near the lockers (not in front of the reception), next to a red smiley**. When you enter the actual gym, enter the hall by turning left immediately - you are walking towards them. We will start warming up around 11:10, so everyone has enough time to arrive and get changed before that. ***\*\*\**** *Spots are limited, so please update your RSVP at least 24 hours in advance if you won't be joining. **NO-SHOWs ARE NOT COOL \*\*\**** We enter the gym at 11:00, if you are late, you will need to look for us inside. IMPORTANT: they only accept cards as a payment method. No cash. One day ticket will cost you 13,90 EUR (10,90 EUR if you are a student, free if Urban Sports Club). **What to bring: well, first of all, a good mood.** But you could also bring * climbing shoes if you have any. If not, you can rent them there, no worries. They cost 3,50 EUR. * a lock (for the locker). * chalk. You won't need that if you are a beginner. Renting is possible. * water. * extra clothes. It's quite chalky there and humans sweat, not the best mix, don't you think? :D Please, note: the organizer is not responsible for anything, including injuries. A basic introduction will be provided.

**!If you cannot belay, please contact us on the Telegram group!** Here is our Telegram group (to be protected against bots): https://tinyurl.com/BerlinClimbingMeetup2 **Safety:** **If you cannot belay, please contact us on the Telegram group about this and we will put you in a group with experience people. That way, if you cannot belay you can still come and climb with us. We are not allowed to teach anyone how to belay or refresh someone's belaying skills. If you have not belayed in the last 6 months or more, we recommend you do not attempt it here without taking a formal refresher course first.** Join us for some Sunday afternoon climbing at Magic Mountain. We will spend the afternoon climbing - lead and top rope followed by a meal afterwards. The Plan: 4:00 - 8:00 climbing 8:00+: Potential hangout (sauna from the gym, drinks. local restaurant) depending on the mood of participants Gear: You can rent all the gear you need - shoes, chalk and a harness. Finding the group: We will either be waiting outside on the wooden chairs or hanging around reception (if the weather is bad). If you're new to the group, I'd recommend trying to arrive on time or a bit in advance. Please use the link below to join our Telegram group and send us a message if you have trouble finding us. Note: We are not a "Magic Mountain" official Meetup, the hall has its own meetups, we are an independent group with events in different halls. So don't be confused if some of the reception people don't know about the meetup or tell you it happens on another day. :) In addition, while the event is free you will need to pay the entry to the gym and the rental equipment if you don't have it. (20 to 25 euros) Telegram Group: You can also join our Telegram group using this link: https://tinyurl.com/BerlinClimbingMeetup Please PM me if the link stops working again.

**This is a cross post from this main event:** **[https://www.meetup.com/berlin-cycling/events/313284671/](https://www.meetup.com/berlin-cycling/events/313284671/)** Since the winter dormancy passes by quicker than you can blink I want to gather recommendation and/or wishes for tours to be cycled this year. If you ever wanted to go to that special place or have lovely memories of a lake or a restaurant (a big plus) but don't know how to go there or don't want to go alone this is YOUR chance. Come and join us and share your ideas, your preferred places and/or your routes. And: this time there is no seat limit! We just may have to switch location in case we're too many. If that's the case I will announce it here Friday night. FYI: If that isn't clear enough: This event is meant to be a discussion and not a "one way sharing of my preferred routes". 😁

Join us to explore our new route with Ruth 🥰 On 14.02., we’ll gather near S-bahn Yorckstraße at 11 am for a 5k run. Meeting point - Biocompany: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XHowLyaiYnSPThXZA?g_st=aw Afterwards we‘ll have a coffee here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mK2fpnc2zCsanfbb6 Don’t worry if you are new! We run at a pace which is comfortable for everyone, so it’s a great chance to start 😉 Take care and see you soon to enjoy another active morning together ❤️ P.S. ‼️️ Please cancel your participation if you can’t show up, even if it’s at short notice so that we don’t wait for you. Thanks! ‼️

Silent Book Club is a group of book lovers who enjoy reading together in public. All books and all readers are welcome. (Kindly RSVP 'yes' only if you can make it, so we can save a seat for you and our fellow readers on the waitlist!) This page-turning party will unfold in the Café (1st floor) at the Bode Museum. There's no entrance fee, but please order at least one item from the cafe and don't bring any outside drinks :) No quizzes, no pressure, no assigned books - just a group of book-loving souls basking in the beauty of silent reading. **Our thrilling agenda:** 10:30 am - 11:00 am - Arrivals, ordering drinks/food (social time) 11:00 am - 12:00 pm - The Great Quiet Reading Hour (where silence is the star) 12:00 pm - 13:00 pm - Optional socializing, share your reading adventures or just keep exploring the pages Stay for lunch, and who knows? You might just find your next favorite book over a pizza. NB: If you plan to go for lunch, please consider bringing cash, as some restaurants only accept card payments after a certain amount.

***(She loves me!)* A Brief History of Quarry Trails** [Quarry Trails Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/quarry-trails/) traces its origins to a vast limestone quarry operated by the Marble Cliff Quarry Company starting in the early 20th century. The site, located along the Scioto River west of downtown, supplied crushed stone for local construction projects and roads throughout central Ohio. Operations peaked mid-century, with massive excavation creating deep pits and steep cliffs that reshaped the landscape. By the 1980s, demand declined, and the southern section of the quarry closed (with the northern section of the quarry remaining in operation to this day by a separate company), leaving behind scarred terrain and abandoned equipment. Environmental concerns arose as the area became a dumping ground and off-road playground for locals. Columbus Metro Parks began eyeing the property in the 1990s for potential reclamation into public green space. In 2015, Metro Parks acquired the initial 180 acres from the quarry's owners, marking a pivotal step toward transformation. Thrive Companies, a local developer, partnered in the deal to build adjacent housing while funding park improvements. Cleanup efforts removed tons of debris, stabilized cliffs, and addressed water quality in the flooded quarries. Planners envisioned a mix of adventure and preservation, incorporating the site's industrial remnants as features. Community input from nearby Grandview Heights and Hilliard residents shaped early designs. The project gained momentum with state and federal grants supporting habitat restoration. The park officially opened its first phase in November 2021, featuring 3.5 miles of trails, a waterfall overlook, and climbing walls on the quarry faces. Visitors quickly embraced the unique terrain, with mountain biking loops and a 25-foot waterfall drawing crowds from across the metro area. Metro Parks added a canoe/kayak launch on the Scioto River, connecting to the city's broader trail network. Dog parks and picnic areas rounded out the amenities, making it a year-round destination. Expansion continued with land acquisitions pushing the total toward 600 acres. By 2023, the park hosted events like guided hikes and birdwatching tours. Ongoing development includes a planned adventure center with zip lines and more extensive single-track trails set for completion in the coming years. Metro Parks collaborates with conservation groups to plant native species and monitor wildlife returning to the reclaimed quarries. The site now serves as an educational hub, with interpretive signs explaining its quarrying past and ecological recovery. Local schools incorporate field trips to study geology and restoration science. Quarry Trails exemplifies Columbus's shift from industrial reuse to innovative urban parks. It stands as the newest addition to the Metro Parks system, complementing favorites like Scioto Audubon and Highbanks. Today, Quarry Trails continues evolving, with future phases adding connections to the Olentangy Trail and more water access points. Annual visitor numbers have surged, boosting nearby businesses in the evolving west side neighborhoods. The park's success has inspired similar reclamation projects elsewhere in the region. It highlights how Columbus balances growth with green space preservation. Residents enjoy a one-of-a-kind spot that honors the area's gritty history while offering modern recreation. Quarry Trails remains a testament to community vision and adaptive reuse in our city. ***(She loves me not.)* A Briefer History of Valentine's Day** The origins of Valentine's Day trace back to ancient Rome and the festival of Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February to honor fertility and purification rites. During this raucous event, young men drew names of women from a box in a matchmaking lottery, often leading to pairings or marriages. By the late 5th century, Pope Gelasius I officially replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine's Day on February 14 to Christianize the pagan holiday. Although several early Christian martyrs were named Valentine, the most commonly associated figure is a 3rd-century Roman priest who secretly married couples against Emperor Claudius II's ban on young men marrying, believing single soldiers fought better. Legend claims Valentine was imprisoned and later executed on February 14, around 269–270 AD. The romantic associations with Valentine's Day emerged much later, during the Middle Ages. The pivotal moment came in the late 14th century when Geoffrey Chaucer, in his poem "Parlement of Foules" (c. 1381), linked St. Valentine's Day with courtship, writing that birds chose their mates on this date. This literary connection spread rapidly among the English and French nobility, transforming the saint's feast day into a celebration of romantic love. By the 15th century, lovers began exchanging handwritten notes called "valentines," often containing verses or simple declarations of affection. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Valentine's Day became increasingly commercialized, especially in England and later the United States. The introduction of printed valentines in the 1840s, pioneered by Esther Howland in America, turned personal notes into mass-produced cards adorned with lace, ribbons, and Cupid imagery. Factories began producing elaborate cards, and the tradition of giving flowers (especially roses), chocolates, and jewelry took hold during the Victorian era. Today, February 14 is one of the most widely celebrated secular holidays worldwide, generating billions in spending on cards, candy, flowers, and romantic dinners. While still officially the feast day of Saint Valentine in some Christian traditions, the modern version has largely shed its religious roots in favor of universal expressions of love and friendship. From ancient fertility rites to global commercial phenomenon, Valentine's Day has evolved dramatically over two millennia while retaining its core focus on human connection. ***(She loves me!)* Map of the Park** Here is a [Map of Quarry Trails](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Quarry-Trails_JUNE-2025_1980px-Web.jpg). ***(She loves me not.)* Summary** For this hike, we'll do a loop of the park. This will be about four miles. Now, this won't be one of our longer hikes. However, in my experience, Quarry Trails tends to wear people out more quickly than other parks. I suspect this is because most of the trails are either paved or heavily graveled (no surprise at a park which abuts an active stone quarry), with some elevation changes along the way. ***(She loves me!)* Where We'll Meet** Quarry Trails has multiple entrances, but none of them are connected internally within the park. So you must drive to the correct one for this event. Set your GPS to [2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Hilliard, OH 43026](https://www.google.com/maps/place/2319+Quarry+Trails+Dr,+Hilliard,+OH+43026/@39.9998462,-83.0873077,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x883891dd76f5eedf:0xf1cb9d34c1069580!8m2!3d39.9997868!4d-83.0872621!16s%2Fg%2F11y17k0ms5?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), or use the map pin I've provided here. Do not just type "Quarry Trails" into Google Maps and expect it to take you to the correct place. It probably won't. We will meet in the parking lot of the Lake Area. The best entrance to this parking lot will be your first left off of Quarry Trails Dr after Gunnison Dr (which will be on your right). I recommend taking a few minutes and looking at Maps before you head out to make sure you know where you're going. ***(So walk with me...)* Restrooms and Water Fountains** There are a few port-a-potties sprinkled throughout the park (including two at the parking lot we'll be meeting at), and the Park Office, roughly in the center of the park and which we'll pass twice on this hike, has restrooms and a water fountain. This is the only water fountain, though, at Quarry Trails. ***(At Trails Quarry!*)** **After the Hike** Afterward, we'll head over to [Johnnie's Tavern](https://johnniestavern614.com/) for [drinks](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Johnnie's+Tavern/@39.993202,-83.0903169,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhAulLarLYZC3hY_vRGwoakV!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FAG0ilSzkwnMN29-lrgzp50Rzeaq5jXCGM1xLS1poH0Mc52-E9NYBvdS99ei7zGmlAYJZyk8OeNW5YvS7agj8M2Bom4ri1m_-NcJiT-LQUDphkS-SB5Vq8JhO-8NSP-_m80HeLz4-pGhjrwhuBKSv%3Dw146-h195-k-no!7i4284!8i5712!4m7!3m6!1s0x883891c4d61ba04d:0x5134f225cbf678bf!8m2!3d39.9932439!4d-83.0902078!10e9!16s%2Fg%2F11c1p57s3t?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) and [food](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Johnnie's+Tavern/@39.993202,-83.0903169,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhB5lD4Uly_4O9BjNH4r3ywB!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FAG0ilSy7tQcc7CtCeuUAKwEVJoxtOs8Ycohjy3mGZZOC_kJVdB8wEaGuC4-p5z_jxn2JnpmSEkh_HG7Aok_ZPEgmK57rEBqNIPH8J5tiyAP5vbrRYkUso_fKTkW5vJc47UusNoGiRzs2Vf0m1JcV%3Dw146-h195-k-no!7i4284!8i5712!4m7!3m6!1s0x883891c4d61ba04d:0x5134f225cbf678bf!8m2!3d39.9932439!4d-83.0902078!10e9!16s%2Fg%2F11c1p57s3t?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). Its actual address is [3503 Trabue Rd, Columbus, OH 43204](https://www.google.com/maps/place/3503+Trabue+Rd,+Columbus,+OH+43204/@39.9932491,-83.090227,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x883891c4d6199677:0x1fda03b0add81e7c!8m2!3d39.9932491!4d-83.090227!16s%2Fg%2F11c14yf3m6?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), and it's only about a five minute drive from where we'll be parked at Quarry Trails. We should be at the tavern by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to meet us for drinks.

Hey all! Let's meet at the new sports bar, [Thirsty's Pub](https://www.thirstyscolumbus.com/italianvillage) , located in Italian Village on 4th Street! You'll be able to find us at a table with CAC flyers. **Adress**: 944 N 4th St, Columbus, OH 43201

For our next dinner event, Avenue Steak Tavern in Dublin, Ohio! A few friends have been raving about the great food and super friendly service, so it’s time for us to see what the hype is about. Come hungry, bring your best conversation, and get ready for a night of good vibes and even better meals. 🍽️🥩

Meet at Wolfe Park parking lot by tennis courts. We willl walk along Alum Creek trail, through Jeffrey Mansion Park then along Bexley neighborhood and back. Optional lunch at Trolley District.