Periodical Ramblings (17)

    I write periodically about periodicals and this is a post about an annual publication, which is also considered to be a periodical. Even publications published once a year are having trouble and I am sorry to report that another one is disappearing.

The Farmers' Almanac
   That is the periodical that is ceasing publication. It was the newer almanac for farmers, which has only been around since 1818. It was a family-owned publication, issuing out of Lewiston, Maine.

The Old Farmer's Almanac
   This almanac is indeed older, having been around since 1792 and it is still being produced by Yankee Publishing in Dublin, New Hampshire. The publisher's of it, want you to know that, "The OLD Farmer's Almanac isn't going anywhere." 

   

The Old Farmer's Almanac: Canadian Edition
   Like many, I suppose, I didn't realize there were two almanacs for farmers and am glad that one has survived. There is even a Canadian edition of it and I recently purchased a copy from the Home Hardware close by. The black circle in the upper left corner is actually a hole, so the book can be hung from a nail for handy reading.
  The 2026 edition "Being the 2nd after Leap Year and (until July 1) 158th year of Canadian Confederation --- Fitted for Ottawa, With Special Corrections and Calculations to Answer For All the Canadian Provinces. Containing, besides the large number of Astronomical Calculations and the Farmer's Calendar for every month in the year, a variety of New, Useful, & Entertaining Matter."

   Beneath that description there is a picture of a wood engraving and then this bit of verse by the Canadian writer, Marjorie Pickthall, "Look up to outer vastness unafraid And see the stars which sang when Earth was made."

   

  The Old Farmer's Almanac will again be a stocking stuffer for a grandson who says he enjoys it, or is at least polite enough to say so. Like you, he is not a farmer, but there is a lot in it that is not agricultural. Along with the "astronomical calculations", there are also many astrological ones, which I hope he is not interested in, and there are many pages devoted to weather matters, a subject which is of interest to everyone. The OFA people say that "the bedrock of this humble publication is our long-range weather predictions -- correct, or close to it, much of the time." 
   I am writing this on the last day of November, on a cold and snowy one and we have already had others. So far, the OFA is correct. Under the "Regional Forecast" for Southern Ontario, there is this summary:
"Winter will be colder and drier than normal in the east with below-normal snowfall, while it will be warmer than normal in the west with above-normal precipitation and snowfall. The coldest periods will be in mid- and late December, early and late January, and early February, with the snowiest periods in late November and early and mid February." 
   As the above indicates, there is Canadian content, appropriately enough, in a "Canadian" edition, but there may not be enough French for some. It should be mentioned, however, that "Secrets of the Sugar Bush" does include the Indigenous.
   The invention of the Internet may be one of the reasons why the other almanac is ceasing to publish, and the arrival of AI may cause problems for this one. The answers to some things are easily provided by the Internet, and AI questions appropriately framed will likely yield reasonable answers to such queries as "When is the proper age for the first mating of my cat?" (See the "Gestation and Mating Tables,"- 12 months, p.229).
  Still there is something to be said for "serendipity" and stumbling across articles about "Pingos" and "Skirrets", two new things you will now google. 
  Plus, the OFA does include ads., such as this one for, "The Amish 'Secret' to Prostate Woes?" and another ---"STOP EVIL: Sprinkling Salts & Yard Dressing to move out all evil enemies and jinx [sic] on you and your home..." But, I am happy to note that there are often disclaimers at the bottom, such as the one below these ads."  "We make no supernatural claims. All items sold as curios only."

   We hope our grandson reads the small print and pays attention to such suggestions as: "Plant peas when forsythias bloom."

Sources:
   Perhaps it is worth documenting the disappearance of things such as these. There are articles noting the demise of The Farmers' Almanac found in early November of this year. For example:

"Farmers' Almanac Editor-in-chief Explains Why it's Ending After 200 Years:

An Announcement by the Farmers' Almanac that it will cease publication has sparked an outpouring from readers and confusion with another almanac," NBC News, NOV.7, 2025.

"The Cute Yellow Old Farmer’s Almanac Isn’t the One Shutting Down

“There are TWO. This is not The OLD Farmer’s Almanac that has been around since 1792. Everything is fine. Just chill guys”

By Laura Hazard Owen, Nieman Lab,  Nov. 7, 2025
   The publishers of the Farmers' Almanac indicate that their website will be gone soon, so we will have to rely on the Internet Archive for that.
   The Old Farmer's Almanac is found here: 

By the way, The Old Farmer's Almanac is more popular than you might think. On the Toronto Star's bestseller list for Nov. 15, it is ranked Number 5, one spot ahead of Guinness World Records in the "Non-Fiction" category.  At the end of November, it is the Number 1 "Nonfiction" title listed in the Washington Post. 

Bonus:
   Many years ago when Montgomery Ward disappeared, I was the Director of a Business Library and thought it would be a good idea to grab their website, since I assumed it would also go. We did, and for a while some perplexed reference librarians were wondering why the University was getting queries about Montgomery Ward. I just looked and was pleased to find that the material grabbed from the now defunct Montgomery Ward website and our commentary, can still be viewed on the Wayback Machine/Internet Archive - Montgomery Ward: 1872-2000.

"BLACK FRIDAY"

Combat Linguistic Imperialism (& Marketing)

  You also must be tired of reading or hearing about “Black Friday.” My proposal is that we eliminate it. If merchants object, since the sales that day put them in the black, then let’s get rid of those words and call it “Red Friday”, for the other colour in the Canadian flag. Apart from the overuse of “Black Friday” driving us bonkers, consider that it is also American. I had planned to do a lot of research about “Black Friday” and present you with a long essay. But, as usual, Wikipedia does a fine job and even covers Canada. For that matter, one also learns about “Black Friday” in Libya and Wales, where it is more appropriately known as Dydd Gwener y Gwario Gwirion ("Silly Spending Friday").

Use the money you were going to spend and make a generous donation to Wikipedia. About that, I am serious. Have you noticed how many of the AI-generated answers to your questions are based on Wikipedia essays? Eliminate the middle man before it is too late.

  To the merchants’ objection, I will yield, but suggest that it be called something else AND moved to our Thanksgiving. Too many people up here are too busy on American Thanksgiving to go shopping anyway, since they are either watching football or shovelling snow. Snow, another reason to have “Red Friday” earlier.

Cyber Monday The same goes for "Cyber Monday" since it is also an American 'thing'. Let's keep it, if we must for the merchants, but switch it to our earlier holiday date. We could call it "Canuck Monday". My comment about Wikipedia being valuable, holds in this case as well. Look up "Cyber Monday" and you find this CANCON: "Cyber Monday came to Canada in 2008.[15] The National Post featured an article published on November 25, 2010, stating that the parity of the Canadian dollar with the US dollar caused many Canadian retailers to have Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales of their own. According to the article, an estimated 80% of Canadians were expected to participate in Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.[16] Speculation has been made that with all major US television broadcasters—which are typically available to Canadians—emphasizing Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales for stores that are also doing business in Canada, Canadian retailers needed to mimic sales offerings in order to keep Canadian dollars from being spent in the US.[16]" To bring my point home about Wikipedia, see the entry for "Canuck" and you will find that it is a slang term for "Canadian", "though its semantic nuances are manifold".

An editorial cartoon portraying Johnny Canuck (c.1910)

"Jack Canuck: O yes! you all come with the glad hand when you know I'm prosperous" [Caricatures of American President Taft and businessmen. Commenting on the American desire to take advantage of the healthy Canadian economy].

Post Script
Some American readers may be surprised to learn that we have Thanksgiving up here. While theirs takes place on the fourth Thursday of November to celebrate the "Black Friday" that follows, ours takes place on the second Monday of October to give thanks that our crops come in earlier. The Bonus In an earlier post, I discussed "Canadian Thanksgiving" and "Columbus Day", which you are now generally advised not to celebrate.

Miss Universe (Revisited)

 Miss Palestine - And Perhaps A Mess

  Ms. Nadeem Ayoub was the subject of a post in MM back in August, mainly because of her connection with Western University. 
  I just happened to notice that there was a "spike" in interest in that post, which surprised me because not many things in MM get "spiked." Here is the link to my post: " Miss Universe"

Here, perhaps, is why there is interest in it. The source is the New York Post and I will say no more:

"Miss Palestine’s Connection to Convicted Terrorist Leader Revealed Ahead of Miss Universe Pageant, By Caitlin Doornbos, New York Post, 

Published Nov. 20, 2025, 5:33 p.m. ET

Nadeen Ayoub — who claims to be a 27-year-old US and Canadian citizen living in Dubai — is competing this week to represent Palestine, a territory the US and Israel don’t even recognize as a sovereign state.

Strutting through preliminary rounds ahead of the pending pageant, Ayoub has kept most of her personal life under wraps — until now. Years-old screenshots and social media posts obtained by The Post show she took pains to hide that she was once married to Sharaf Barghouti — son of the infamous Fatah leader serving five life sentences in Israel for orchestrating terror attacks that killed five people in 2001 and 2002.

The convicted murderer’s name resurfaced last month when Hamas demanded his release in hostage-exchange negotiations with Israel — a request the Jewish state flatly refused, citing his participation in the first intifada, leadership in the second, convictions in five terror-related murders and founding of the West Bank’s al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.

[there is more]

Hard Rock Hotel - London, Ontario

   If one searches for "Hard Rock Hotels", many are found, often in exotic locations like Davos, Bali and the Maldives. There is now one in London, Ontario in a location that some Londoners would describe, euphemistically, as "exotic",  and most Londoners probably know as much about it as they do about the one in the Maldives.
   There are a few reasons why the London Hard Rock Hotel is likely more of a mystery than a destination for locals, one of them being that there is not much local reporting any more. Norman De Bono, who wrote two of the articles below, can only do so much. If you never make it past the Aeolian Hall on Dundas, or if you have been hindered by construction, if arriving from the other direction, you might want to read what follows and see what you are missing. There are bars and restaurants, if you are not looking for a room. 
   It has been about seven months since it opened and some skeptics assume that such a glamorous facility might be experiencing grim times during these times which are rather grim. I am pleased to report that that is not the case, as this recent article indicates: " 'Elbows Up' Boosts London Tourism: City Sector Having a Strong Year Due to New Draws, Waning Visits to U.S. Observers Say," Jonathan Juha, London Free Press, Nov.1, 2025.
   "London, however, isn't only benefiting from Canadian travellers. The city also has seen strong numbers of travellers from outside the country, with the new Hard Rock Hotel - also at 100 Kellogg Lane - proving a major draw.
   "For us, we've seen a great summer," said Brendon Ainscow, general manager of the hotel, which this summer was named by Forbes Travel Guide one of the Top 11 new hotels to visit around the world.
  "We were even a little bit surprised with the number of guests that we did see coming in from the U.S. and from outside of Canada," he added.
  "Hard Rock is quite a recognizable international brand, so that's really helped us to become an attraction that's brought in people not just from outside of Ontario, but from outside of the country."
   Ainscow said the hotel also has been boosted by Canadians willing to spend their dollars on this side of the border."

   Buy Canadian and Stay Canadian!  "Half Way Between Detroit and London", as the t-shirt says, now there is a place to stay.

Note: If you have made it this far, but don't want to read the rest, just skip to the YouTube videos at the bottom to see what the Hard Rock Hotel has to offer. 

Located East of Adelaide

  Here is a brief timeline, indicating when the Hard Rock Hotel came to London, and culminating with a description of what has resulted.

2021 - "Hard Rock Comes to Town: Music -themed Hotel Planned for Former Kellogg's Cereal Plant, Site, Norman De Bono, Jonathan Juha, London Free Press, January 16, 2021."London will be home to the first Hard Rock Hotel in Canada."

2024 - Hard Rock Hotel: 'Final Piece' in 100 Kellogg Lane Puzzle, Norman De Bono, London Free Press, Dec. 24, 2024, [Christmas Eve!]
   "London's Hard Rock Hotel is in the final stage of construction, a 164-room upscale development that will push the total investment into 100 Kellogg Lane to more than $100 million."

2025 - The Grand Opening
   "Hard Rock Hotel London, Ontario, Officially Opens Its Doors," PR Newswire, April 21, 2025.
   "Canada's First Hard Rock Hotel takes center stage at 100 Kellogg Lane as locally-owned property celebrates its opening day and welcomes first guests."

  Canada's first Hard Rock Hotel is officially open for business. Located within 100 Kellogg Lane, Hard Rock Hotel London, Ontario is part of Canada's largest indoor entertainment complex and sits in the heart of London's Old East Village, just minutes from the Western Fair District and a short drive from downtown.

    The 164-room luxury destination celebrated its opening day with owners, local leaders and VIP guests, including John Rees, Senior Vice President of Hotels at Hard Rock International. "I was so pleased to join the local team to celebrate the first-ever Canadian Hard Rock Hotel, where music, entertainment and hospitality will come together to create truly unforgettable guest experiences," said Rees. "We are proud to be able to share the iconic energy of the Hard Rock brand with guests in the region and from across the globe."

"The property will help strengthen London's economy, and its culture and tourism industries, and is perfectly positioned within Canada's only UNESCO City of Music," said hotel General Manager, Brendon Ainscow. "As a Londoner, I couldn't be more proud and excited to see our city officially become home to Canada's First Hard Rock Hotel. With the addition of this hotel, London is strengthening its role as an international hub for music and culture. Our local team of over 100 employees are ready to welcome visitors from Southwestern Ontario and across the globe."

In addition to specialty suites offering floor-to-ceiling windows, and family-style guestrooms featuring separate rooms with bunk beds, the property offers ultra-luxurious rockstar and terrace suites and a range of unique amenities, including:

   -- An indoor/outdoor pool, where guests can enjoy cabana seating,    poolside cocktails, gourmet bites, and a state-of-the-art underwater sound system. 

 

   -- The signature Hard Rock GMT lobby bar, and Sessions restaurant,
  with creative culinary experiences. 

 

   -- A 1913 speakeasy, with mixologist driven, and thoughtfully inspired 

      cocktails that give an ode to the history of 100 Kellogg Lane
with cereal infused libations and traditional speakeasy styles. 

 

   -- The Rock Shop, where exclusive Hard Rock merchandise and 

souvenirs  can be purchased.

 

   -- Iconic music memorabilia from legends like Shania Twain, 

Gord Downie and more. 

 

   -- Valet parking. 

Visit hotel.hardrock.com/london-ontario for more information.

About the Hard Rock Hotel, London, Ontario Property

    "Hard Rock and Dora Hotel Company collaborated with award-winning BBB Architects and Interiors to create a music-infused sensory experience for the guests at this boutique hotel. Upon arrival, a 32-foot-high sculptural metallic guitar, handcrafted in London, Ontario, marks the entrance for a grand porte-cochere, which combines a theatrical light show and surround sound immersive musical experience. The grand lobby combines elements of the historic Kellogg brick building with new stone tile, multiple skylights, and displays of significant musical memorabilia themed to London's history and Canada's contribution to the world music scene.

The hotel features 164 exquisitely designed guest rooms and specialty suites offering floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the vibrant energy within the complex. Family-style guestrooms featuring separate rooms with bunk beds sure to delight all ages, while the signature Rock Star Suite features a plush living area and bar, exclusive music-inspired touches, and high-end amenities like a private kitchenette, perfect for entertaining in your own one-of-a-kind retreat.

Guests and locals will discover innovative culinary and beverage concepts, including GMT-5 bar, Sessions Restaurant & Bar, and a unique speakeasy appropriately named after the year the Kellogg's Factory opened -- 1913. The mixologist driven bar will feature cereal infused libations as an ode to the venue's history.

At Hard Rock Hotel London, Ontario, music is at the heart of every guest experience. The Sound of Your Stay(R) program invites travelers to connect with music in immersive ways, from streaming expertly curated playlists with Tracks(R) to spinning classic vinyl on Victrola record players with Wax(R) or playing a premium guitar delivered to your room with Picks(R).

Wellness also finds its rhythm here. The signature Rock Om(R) program blends yoga with DJ-curated soundtracks for on-demand, in-room sessions that inspire balance and relaxation. Guests seeking a more dynamic workout can visit the Body Rock(R) Fitness Centre, fully equipped with Technogym equipment and energizing playlists. After an invigorating workout, the indoor/outdoor pool provides the perfect place to recharge, complete with an innovative underwater sound system that keeps the music flowing - even below the surface.

  

Pets are also part of the experience, with the Unleashed program offering thoughtful amenities for four-legged family members, further positioning Hard Rock Hotel London, Ontario, as a destination for all."

Videos:

Hard Rock Hotel, Jenelle Nicole (10 min.)

Inside Canada's First Hard Rock Hotel (6min.) "gunnarolla" (Andrew Gunadie).

The Bonus:
   Located next door, Paradigm Spirits won the grand prize at the Canadian Whisky Awards in 2024. For additional details, see "Local Booze."

Biking About (5)

    It is snowing today and I will not be doing any cycling. In fact, given that I am a fair weather cyclist, I am sure I won't be riding any more this year. So, I just ran through the wet snow to the garage to take that picture. I learned from it that I cycled 1547 km this year, since I put away the bike last year on Nov. 6. Although this 'series' represents my attempt to keep some statistics about my cycling, it is clear that I am not good at it. I didn't record when I started this 'spring', but it was likely sometime in April, maybe even March.  American readers are reminded that Canada has two 'seasons', July and winter, and that 1547km, is less that 1000 miles (960), I am sorry to learn. 
  While I am at it, I might as well document all of this, since I am as good at record keeping as I am in tabulating statistics. I do little jotting down of things, or keeping notes, so that is why you are learning these personal things here. If Google pulls the plug on "Blogger", however, we will lose all of the valuable posts in MM, and I probably won't even remember where I put my bike.
   It looks like I bought the bike on May 26, 2020, right about the time the plague hit. That means I have had the bike for five years and five months. I first recorded these valuable data on, May 1, 2023, after I had travelled 4574km. (Biking About).
   "Biking About (2)" does not mention me, but it does discuss how cycling affects one's sex life, so you might want to have a look. "Biking About (No.3)" contains the only known photo of the cyclist, so you may not want to have a look. "Biking About (No.4)", is here, and you are looking at #5. Now I will be able to find them next November if "Blogger" and I still exist.

The Bonus: It's Not About Me
   I am rather embarrassed about the pathetic data recorded above, particularly since this just happened: 
The French student, Oscar Delaite, pictured, just did a "Wheelie" for over six hours and travelled 93 miles. You won't believe me, so here is a note and a source:
  "Specifically, 150.4 kilometers (or 93.45 miles) over six hours and 31 minutes, completed in late September. The mark -- "Greatest Distance Covered While Performing a Continuous Bicycle Wheelie" -- is confirmed and in the books. Guinness World Records sent Oscar the congratulatory email on Monday."
"The College Student Who Did a Wheelie --for 93 Miles," Jason Gay, Wall Street Journal, Nov.14, 2025. Here is an article that is not behind a paywall: "Oscar Delaite Shatters Wheelie World Record with 150 km Ride," Matteo, The Cycling Week, Oct. 15, 2025.

Another Private Library

Again, this is a post about a personal collection of books, and again the collection is found in New York City. The last one mentioned, which is also located there, belongs to, "The Talented Mr. Towles,", but a more recent one is found in New Mexico - see, "Cormac McCarthy's Library". There are more.

Proving the Point

   This article is from The New York Times Magazine and you should have a look at it since I am focussing only on the books. Many other beautiful objects are described, but there over 4,500 books in the 1,100 square-foot apartment belonging to Peter-Ayers Tarantino.
“A Home That Proves You Can Never Have Too Many Books,” Alexa Brazilian.(NYTM, Nov. 16, 2025.)
  The pictures tell the story about the books, but I will quote a few words about some of the many objects found among them.

  “Tarantino has been in his current apartment, which has become a kind of treasure map of his intense and far-flung enthusiasms, since 2018. In the small foyer, painted rain-cloud gray with cream-colored trim, his lizard skin Belgian loafers sit at the foot of a 1920s Japanese tansu chest; on top are twin Moorish wall busts bought in Catania, Italy; above looms a nickel-silver Spanish Colonial mirror. Behind the front door hangs an Ethiopian coming-of-age cape, a cowrie shell-embellished lion’s pelt…”

   “Then there are the books, which not even the wood-paneled living room’s floor-to-ceiling shelves can contain. Tall, neat piles are stacked everywhere: volumes on South American art, on the history of interior design, on British eccentrics, on American Jazz Age writers, on the Ballets Russes.”

   "Despite the apartment’s relatively small size, Tarantino has found a way to accommodate large collections. Above a series of framed Sumatran ceremonial sarongs in the narrow hallway to his bedroom hang more than 50 pieces of headgear — an English boater, a Portuguese fisherman’s hat, the cap of a Tyrolean soldier. Spotlights are positioned to illuminate each." 

   The pictures illustrate the books, but as I indicated, the words in the article describe much more: 

   "But arguably his most striking collection can be found in the small kitchen. Above taupe cabinets and across from an assemblage of framed maps of South America, each with its own picture light (he had 10 outlets wired inside the wall), Tarantino displays his 62 cream-colored ceramic English pudding molds from the 19th and 20th centuries."

The Bonus:
   There are many comments about this article, most indicating how beautiful this apartment is. There were comments, however, about such practical concerns as dusting and disposing of the items when that time comes. But, one true bibliophile from Copenhagen had this to say:
"I don't know about the 'Peruvian ceramic bowls', but Keith Lowe's 'Naples 1944' is an excellent book about some sadly neglected and tragic events of WW2. Second photo, left side, second shelf from the top, eighth book from the top."

Ironwomen

   A few years ago I wrote about a "Wonder Woman", Camille Herron, who is an ultramarathoner. For example, she has run close to 170 miles in one day (270,km). In "Women Running Around", you learned that in the 1960s women weren't allowed in the Boston Marathon and it was not until the early 1980s that women could run a marathon in the Olympics. If you combine those two posts with this one, you will have a pretty good pile of impressive, athletic female feats.

RUNNING - Very Far
   

    Shandra Hill - Vernon, B.C.
  I remember thinking back in the late 1970s that no one would be able to complete an "Ironman Triathlon", since it included a marathon which was hard enough. I was wrong, now there are "ULTRA"-triathlons and they are being completed by women. Ms. Hill is doing "Decas", and even double and triple ones. Here is the story:
  "B.C. Ultra Triathlete Becomes First in the World to Complete 3 Double-Deca Races," Shaurya Kshatri · CBC News · Posted: Oct 20, 2023.
   "Imagine running, swimming and biking more than 4,500 kilometres for 26 days with three-hour naps and 15-minute breaks in between. Now imagine doing that twice in a row. Shanda Hill of Vernon, B.C., just did.
  After completing an ultra triathlon in Switzerland, the 41-year-old took a week of downtime before doing the same race in San Felipe, in Mexico's Guanajuato state, where she clinched the top spot in the DecaUltraTri Continuous Double Deca on Thursday, besting five other athletes. 
   With her latest victory, Hill has become the only person in history to compete in and finish three double-Decas. 
   The Deca exists within an extreme niche of the triathlon world, where participants go through a 38-kilometre swim, 1,800-kilometre bike ride, and a 422-kilometre run. A double-Deca, as the name suggests, is twice that distance.   
   According to the International Ultra Triathlon Association (IUTA), the official governing body of the sport, the double-Deca requires athletes to complete 76 kilometres of swimming, followed by 3,600 kilometres of cycling, and finally 844 kilometres of running.
  That's the equivalent of 20 Ironman races.
 According to Ms. Hill, "Smart people would have stopped at one. I'm not quite sure how I ended up doing three of those."
   Update: As this was being done, Ms. Hill was competing in Taiwan when a typhoon arrived and she has decided she has had enough - or her body has:
"Vernon Ultra Athlete Announces Retirement from Competition mid-race", Roger Knox, Vernon Morning Star, Nov. 12, 2025.
Sources: 
Her website is here: https://www.shandahillultra.com/
For more details and photos, her FB pages are here and accessible:  https://www.facebook.com/ShandaHillUltraAthlete/
All of this activity is made clearer by looking at the Wikipedia entry for "Ultra-triathon."

The Bonus: A Simple 100 Mile Run
  This story just broke: "Irish athlete Caitriona Jennings Breaks 100-mile World Record: The run of Jennings of 12:37:04 was almost four hours ahead of the next best woman," Ian O'Riodan, The Irish Times, Nov. 9, 2025.
   "Caitriona Jennings has broken the world record for 100 miles after running 12 hours, 37 minutes and four seconds to complete the Tunnel Hill 100 Mile, a US ultra-marathon event staged in Illinois."

ROWING- Across the Pacific

   It is a long and tiring trip in a jet.
   "How Jess Rowe and Miriam Payne Made History Rowing the Pacific Ocean, Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, Nov.6, 2025.
    …”the two British women made history by becoming the first female crew to successfully row non-stop and unsupported across the Pacific Ocean. To grasp the magnitude of their feat, more people have walked in space than successfully rowed across the world’s biggest ocean.
Their journey started in Callao, Peru, in May and finished in Cairns, Australia on October 19: a 6907-nautical mile odyssey from east to west in 165 days."

The Bonus: A Tragic One
   In MM you will find this post by clicking on the following link. It is about a woman with no legs (or breasts) who tried to row across the Pacific, but didn't make it:
"Angela Madsen (R.I.P.) 

WALKING - A Very Long Way

   Betty Kellenberger has done many difficult things, and attempted to hike the Appalachian Trail a few times, where she got Lyme disease and a concussion from a fall. Recently she had shoulder surgery and a knee replacement, but she decided to try the Trail again.“We put all kinds of limitations on ourselves,” said Kellenberger, who lives in Carson City, Michigan. “Sometimes the biggest one is we don’t get up and try it.” 
   She thought it was interesting that you can actually walk from Georgia to Maine and she has now done it - the entire 2,197-mile Appalachian Trail (3535, km).
She is 80!

   I learned about her in this article: "She Hiked the Entire Appalachian Trail at 80, Unaware She’d Just Made History," Sydney Page, The Washington Post, Oct. 29, 2025. That article is behind a paywall, but you can read more about her trek and see more photos in The Trek: "Betty Kellenberger Just Became the Oldest Woman To Thru-Hike the AT at Age 80."