1 . I’ve reached the turn-around point of the day’s kayaking (皮划艇) trip. Sweat runs down my cheek as I ______ my fingers through the cool water. I look around. It’s just me, a couple of seagulls, and shining freshwater to the horizon. This, I whisper to myself, is ______.

Solo outings had never ______ my mind before because I always had loyal friends willing to tag along. But three years ago, I moved to Cleveland. Meeting close friends in a new city is ______. And a world wide health crisis made ______ impossible.

In October 2022, I decided to ______ a whole day on a solo hiking trip. I went to Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) to ______ the autumn leaves. Five miles in, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so alive. I was more ______ of my surroundings than I’d ever been while hiking that day. I studied the markings of trees, focused my ears on each forest sound and did something I had almost never spared ______ for: I listened to my own thoughts. Every word in my mind pointed to a newfound ______—solo hiking is my happy place. From then on, I have adjusted myself to any solo activity.

Pride ______ through my body when I first launched my kayak. My chest, ______ tightened by nerves, was bursting with happiness as I finally reached the middle of the river that I’d long ______ standing on shore before.

Adventuring alone has become like medicine for me! It’s also pushed me to go ______ my comfort zone and to meet new people. Through meetups and social media, my adventure friend circle has ______. But at least once per month, I schedule time to hit nature with my favorite trail buddy: me.

2 . When it comes to my fathering lessons, few adventures compare to the motorcycle trips I’ve shared with my daughter, Ewa.

Our first_______, in August 2017, was a winding (蜿蜒的) ride around the Catskills and Finger Lake districts of New York state. We _______ big highways and spent the week on_______ scenic back roads. At one point, I found myself _______along a Catskills meadow (草地) not far from Woodstock, keeping pace with a deer and shouting, “Go Bambi, go!”

On our second day, we _______ in a small town for ice cream. I asked the woman at the picnic table next to us: “What’s the_______ of this town?” “Interlaken,” she answered.“Where are you trying to get to?”

Me: “We don’t know. ”

It _______ to me then that I’d always wanted to do this no-schedule kind of trip, when you ride just for riding. Ask any middle-aged _______: We’ve all dreamed about doing the Easy Rider (逍遥骑士) thing, throwing our wristwatches into the ditch and heading toward the horizon without a_______. Now, travelling with no plan became a________ of my rides with Ewa.

Since we almost ________ knew where we were going, we were almost never ________ when we arrived, pulling ________ the road at the end of each day with satisfaction. The reason to celebrate? We________! The truth is that life on a motorbike is one close call (死里逃生) after another. On the way, riders must stay ________ 100 percent of the time. A tiny stone can be deadly. I used to be nervous, but Ewa had a different take: “To me, motorcycling is like meditation(冥想). ”

3 . Potala Palace Travel Guide

● The travel route is set strictly.

● The visiting time is limited in 1 hour.

● Watch your steps due to the high altitude.

● Bring along an overcoat as it is a bit cold in the hall.

● Oxygen bag is prohibited to be taken into the Palace.

● Smoking is prohibited and cigarettes are not allowed to be brought into the Palace

● Smartphones can be carried with you into the Palace, but please do not take photos.

● Liquid is not allowed, including mineral water, which can be purchased at the hill top.

Visitors are required to apply for free reservation tickets with identity documents, such as ID cards and passports one day in advance.

The visiting date and exact time, number of visitors and ID document numbers are printed on the reservation tickets. Those visitors who have reservation tickets should make their tickets canceled if they can’t visit the Palace for personal reasons. Otherwise, they will be forbidden to apply again within a week because their names are added to the blacklist.

On the following day, visitors should have their reservation tickets and ID documents checked and walk to the ticket office in front of the White Palace to buy the entrance tickets. Then they can start their tour after another security check.

● Take bus 13 to Yaowangshan Bus Stop.

● Take bus 8 or 17 to Baita Bus Stop.

● Take bus 2, 16 or 26 to Lazhong Bus Stop.

● Take airport shuttle to Minhangju Bus Stop.

5 . Amazing Exhibitions to See in 2023

Looking for your next culture fix? Explore the must-see exhibitions for the coming year.

The Adventure of Pottery, Kettles Yard, Cambridge

4 March - 25 June 2023

The potter, Lucie Rie, was a key figure in British post-war art. Her technical innovations permanently extended the language of studio pottery. Her achievements range from functional tableware to elegant bowls and vases. Rie’s early pots from the 1920s and 1930s underline the modernist principles of clarity and innovation.

Birds of America, Compton Verney

1 July - 1 October 2023

Audubon’s Birds of America examines the artistry and legacy of one of the world’s rarest and largest books. Published as a series between 1827 and 1838, Birds of America achieved international fame due to its epic scale and the book’s outstanding ornithological (鸟类学) illustrations. Compton Verney’s grounds are a wildlife reserve, making the perfect setting for the show.

Love Life, Charleston, East Sussex

1 September 2023 - 8 March 2024

David Hockney’s rarely-seen drawings from the late 1960s and 1970s. In 2017, David Hockney, one of Britain’s most popular and recognizable artists, painted the words “Love Life” on the final wall of the show. Explaining his actions, he said, “I love my work. And I think the work has love. Actually... I love life.”

Impressionists on Paper, Royal Academy

25 November 2023 - 10 March 2024

In the late 19th century, Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists in France totally transformed the future direction of art and challenged the traditional attitudes. They lifted the status of works on paper, drawings, watercolours, etc., from something left in a studio to artworks in their own right. This exhibition brings together around 70 works for visitors.

6 . JOIN TODAY

Enjoy unlimited access to hundreds of English Heritage sites with an annual membership.

**   Up to 6 kids go free with each adult.

    1     (know) for its stunning snow views, Shuangfeng Forest Farm in Mudanjiang city has transformed from a forest farm into China’s “Snow Town”. Thanks to the high mountains, thick forests, low winds,     2     (suit) temperatures and humidity, snow in the forest farm takes    3     various shapes depending on where it falls, appearing as snow mushrooms, snow curtains and other forms.

“In the past, most people here made a living by logging, but the heavy snow makes    4     difficult to transport wood.” said Fan Zhaoyi, who owns a hotel at the forest farm. “With the reduction of wood production,     5    (eventual) lumbering (伐木) lost its glory.” he said,     6     (explain)the massive change in 2000. “I opened four rooms the first year and started making a profit the second year.”

    7     increasing number of business entities (商业实体) continue to pour in Snow Town today. The resort has also been upgraded to offer better tourist services. Visitors don’t need    8     (queue) for tickets because over the past few years,   advanced technology and other smart platforms    9     (adopt). The platforms can count tourist numbers, collect reviews, monitor the environment and give early warnings of dense tourist flows.

On Dec.12, 2022, the winter tourist season began at Snow Town, and 100,000 tickets were pre-sold. The resort has continued to gain popularity among various travel    10     (agency) and online platforms.

During the peak summer travel season this year, many popular tourist destinations in China have experienced large crowds, making it challenging for tourists     1     (get) tickets. Given these circumstances, cultural venues in many places have     2     (recent) announced extended opening hours, allowing people to explore during the evening hours. For instance, the Shaanxi History Museum has extended the opening hours to 8:00 pm every Sunday since mid-July.

In ancient China, a tradition of night tours, entertainment and dinners thrived (繁荣). When night fell, people would participate in     3     (activity) like reciting poems, appreciating the moon’s beauty and joining in tea-fueled conversations, said Wang Bin, curator (馆长) of the Xi’an-based West Market Museum. “Children can fully involve     4     (they) in the nighttime experiences of ancient civilizations right at the original West Market site. This is     5     we integrate these cultural elements. And this approach     6     (welcome) by both parches and children ever since,” Wang said.

To meet people’s     7     (grow) demand for night travel, China has developed a night culture     8     night tourism economy in recent years, with some places winning fame for night fairs and performances. Even at 10:30 pm, subways in many cities remain busy with people. Nighttime cultural tours have changed the     9     (convention) tourism model of traveling during the day and sleeping     10     night.