Maryland: Annapolis’ 17th annual Polar Bear Plunge

Patricia Archdeacon of Clarksburg, Md., reacts as the ice falls off her body while participating in the annual Polar Bear Plunge in the Chesapeake Bay in 2005.

CHRIS GARDNER / AP file

You’re invited to what organizers are calling the coolest event of the year, the 17th annual Polar Bear Plunge on Jan. 26 in Annapolis. The event is free for spectators, but if you want to take a dip in Chesapeake Bay you’ll have to fork over $50 for Special Olympics Maryland. Last year’s Plunge drew more than 25,000 plungers and spectators.

Details: www.plungemd.com or 410-242-1515

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Gear + Gadgets

Got your backpack

Always improving its lines of luggage for the adventurous, Eagle Creek has fine-tuned its new Afar Backpack to be all business and a pleasure. About the dimensions of a standard wheel-aboard bag (12.5 inches by 20.5 inches by 8.5 inches deep), the Afar weighs in at a mere 1 pound, 11 ounces. It is equipped with a slew of great features: well-padded contoured shoulder straps, a tuck away padded hip belt, adjustable sternum straps, external compression straps and a sturdy top grab handle. A padded breathable mesh back panel makes for comfy cushioning. The back panel cleverly incorporates a zippered padded compartment for a laptop (up to 17 inches) that doesn’t broadcast your precious cargo to would-be thieves. The spacious main zippered compartment is blessedly unstructured, three roomy external mesh pouches are great for jackets, water bottles, snacks and maps, and a very well-designed zippered front organizer pocket has pouches and elastic slots for a cell phone, camera, sunglasses, pens and other essentials. Double-lock zippers, hidden slip pockets for documents, and reflective accents for nighttime visibility are smart security elements. Available in a dreamy slate blue, sunny ochre and basic black.
Wisconsin: Taliesin tours daily

Take the tour
Travel briefs

Legoland’s new attraction, The World of Chima, will open July 3 at the Winter Haven park and recruit guests into a very wet battle among animal warriors. The centerpiece will be a water ride with water cannons, The Quest for CHI. The new “land” will also include Speedorz Arena, where players will build and race Lego Speedorz; Cragger’s Swamp, a water play area; a new 4D movie; character meet-and-greets; and of course a retail store. Cruises

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