The Ageless Wanderer

I heard about retired Engineering Salesman Robert Youens about a week ago. Also known as the “Ageless Wanderer,” the 71-year-old Austin man describes himself as “just a guy who enjoys the outdoors and wandering around” on his Instagram account.
That bio might be the most understated description a man could ever write about himself in less than 140 characters.
Robert is attempting to break the World Record for fastest solo travel of the Great Loop, a 6,000-mile journey around the eastern half of the US and parts of Canada.
He’s not doing this in a big yacht with a big crew. He’s in a Jon Boat. He’s making a 6,000-mile trip in a 16-foot, single motor, aluminum boat that most people would use to float around fishing in a pond.
The Great Loop record is 19 days, 19 hours. Robert put his boat in the water at 7:00 am on July 12th. This is day 13.
If you’ve never piloted a boat, you might think “meh, whatever.” But let me tell you this attempt is a crazy, bold, and dangerous adventure. I once piloted my 35-foot boat through 4-foot waves in the Chesapeake Bay and thought I was going to die. Robert sailed through 7 to 9-foot waves off the coast of Florida in a Jon boat and said it “was a whole lotta fun.” I am an idiot who didn’t look at the NOAA weather forecast. Robert is a LEGEND, who NOAA calls to warn about dangerous weather.
Some folks I know at Robert’s age are more interested in naps than adventures, so the man is definitely defying expectations every day. By the time you read this, Robert Youens will be traveling 20-30 mph somewhere on a river in Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, or Mississippi towards the finish line, near Pensacola, Florida.
Follow “The Ageless Wanderer” here for a live Garmin GPS feed tracking his progress. (According to news reports, there are between 100,000 and 500,000 viewers of this feed at any given moment.)
#BoldBrandsWin

MONDAY:
SAVE THE DATE TO SAVE ON ENERGY
Fresh produce and fresh energy tips? Lettuce help you start saving!
Join Virginia Energy Sense at the Blacksburg Farmers Market on Wednesday, August 27 from 2–6 p.m. for bright ideas on lowering your power bill, keeping your home comfy, and saving energy year-round.
Stop by for freebies, expert tips, and info on rebates for homes and small businesses: Smart, simple, and 100% nonperishable.
TUESDAY:
PRO-FRED-SIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Hey, have ya met Fred? Part Great Pyrenees (emphasis on the great), part Labrador, and 100% good boy, Big Fred the Red, new son of Copywriter Robyn Quarles, blessed us with his enormous presence on Team Tuesday. Fred contributed a ton to intellectual discussions and creative strategy meetings, but his favorite part of the day was officially being dubbed as “one of the girlies.” Whatever that means…Anyway, welcome, Fred!

WEDNESDAY:
A MEETING OF THE SMART MINDS
Our friends at WSC Smart Home Designers dropped by the Madison+Main office on Wednesday for a creative CORE session—diving deep into strategy, storytelling, and smart ideas (the kind that spark bold brands).
We’re thrilled to be partnering with this veteran-owned, locally-operated team bringing cutting-edge smart automation to homes and businesses across Hampton Roads. From lighting and security to audio, video, and shades—WSC designs, installs, and supports it all. Learn more about WSC, here and stay tuned for bright ideas to come!

THURSDAY:
STRAIGHT UP BOOKIN’ IT
We can’t promise beach bods this summer—but we can offer a wildly entertaining reading list full of murder, magic, and a healthy dose of mayhem, curated by our own Madison+Main-iacs.
From psychological thrillers to feminist witches and time-traveling mischief, our stack is as weird and wonderful as our team. Whether you’re dodging deadlines or escaping the heat, these 10 books have your back. Dive in, read along, or just pretend you did—we won’t quiz you (or will we?)
- Take our tip and try out:
- Artemisia by Alexandra Lapierre
- The Coworker by Freida McFadden
- Ward D by Freida McFadden
- Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal
- Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
- Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab
- The Witches of New York by Ami McKay
- Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett
- Tess of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
FRIDAY:
DAVE ON THE WAVES
ICYMI, I caught up with my friend and radio host Rich Herrera on Richmond Morning News to chat about all the fun happening around RVA this weekend. Give it a listen here!
A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS
4th Friday Art Shows at Art Works
Dates: Friday, July 25
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00p.m.
Tickets: Free Admission
Location: Art Works
Catch the opening reception of six new exhibits while meeting the talented artists.
Founding Frenemies Traveling Exhibit
Date: Sunday, July 21, through Monday, September 1
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Daily)
Location: Eastern Henrico Recreation Center
Discover how Alexander Hamilton’s relationships with famous Virginians helped shape the patterns of America’s civil discourse still felt today.
AIPW Wrestlepalooza
Date: Saturday, July 25
Time: 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $14.64
Location: Coalition Theater
Watch your favorite comedy pro-wrestling talents engage in the silliest of simulated combat.
“Youth has no age.“ – Pablo Picasso