Sigh, dramatic, hand-to-forehead sigh.
It’s dismaying to see site after travel site inviting us on wilderness treks, or backpacking across mountain ranges.
I’m so not that person. Risky travel has zero appeal to me.
My husband would tell you that I face enough hazards in the backyard. He makes such comments after finding me covered in dirt, every gardening utensil we own nearby. Behind me, I drag a green garbage bag bursting with debris. Alex states that observation before using the garden hose to clean me off before I enter the house.
My ability to find thrills—snakes, swooping hawks, pinecone tossing squirrels—in the yard is why I think any trip to any location and of any duration can include escapades—you just have to let them happen and pay attention as they do.
Merriam-Webster defines adventure as, “an exciting or dangerous experience. Or a remarkable experience.” I’m voting on exciting and remarkable over dangerous every time.
I’m not into purposefully having perils at home—at least I never set out to perform the treacherous. Except maybe when I slide across the newly polished, wooden kitchen floor in my socks, often screeching to a stop horizontally rather than vertically. I’ve stopped performing that move when Alex is home.
With klutziness an innate part of my DNA, why would I put myself in jeopardy on a vacation that’s supposed to be relaxing? The perilous approach to travel makes no sense to me but, hey, more power to you if riskiness gives you a thrill.
My Thrills Aren’t Dangerous
For me, I don’t need to go hiking in a war-torn country or a place where human life isn’t highly valued in order to feel like I’m accomplishing an astounding feat. If I were that brave, I’d have joined the military.
My favorite hiking destination is Wales.
Jackie, her daughter and I have just returned from 16 blessed days hiking in Pembrokeshire. How many posts will be coming as I relay our escapades in the land of the ever-delightful and humorous Welsh?
Pop onto the Visit Wales website and check out the variety of National Walking Trails. My best-loved area is South Wales (many blogs on my site) and trekking sections of the 186 mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Oh such beauty! Such a wild and woolly bit of nature! Rugged terrain, narrow paths, seal sightings—why, a part of it even traipses through a firing range! If the red flags are flying, steer clear.
Articles about the Pembrokeshire Coast Path will often launch (pun intended) with the offering of Coast Steering. No part of me wants to scramble up a boulder, jump off the side of a cliff, and plunge into the Atlantic for a swim, let alone to ride a rushing burst of water through a confining shoot out into the sea. Nope. Although … since watching Tales from the Coast when Robson Green jumped into the Blue Lagoon of Abereiddy, I’m somewhat tempted to give that a go—from the lowest level.
Maybe that Would be Risky Travel to Me
On the other hand, mightn’t my Welsh adventures last longer and not involve crutches if I stick to walking alongside cliffs, and gazing in wonder at rock formations, pounding waves, or soothing outgoing tidewater moving far from shore? You betcha.
Mostly for my travel, I’m addicted to historical places with castles, gothic churches, and defined hiking areas with signage. Backcountry hiking and camping trips will see me diverting from the path—unintentionally extending the trip. On the Pembrokeshire path, follow the upside down (to an American) acorns and you’ll stay on the proper trek.
My riskiness in having an adventure is about meeting people and discovering different ways of thinking, of doing things, expanding the way I experience life.
So far my journeys have encompassed European destinations or places throughout the broad USA from New England to Hawaii. I’ve been to Mexico (Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta), the Bahamas, and Saint Maarten. These places aren’t dangerous unless you venture off the beaten path (Mexican jungles without a guide, unmarked Hawaiian lava fields), or into bad city areas.
Loving Non-risky Travel
Adventures of this Broad Abroad* have included hiking in my beloved Wales, Italy, Germany, Hawaii, and lots of other states. I’ve explored museums in those places and in France, Belgium, Spain, and England. All these locations held thrills for this country girl, who considers it a great gift to travel from the tiny spot where I grew up in western Pennsylvania. I’ve learned to be savvy and aware when needed, childlike and open when wanted. Other than having to keep a look out for pickpockets, my trips haven’t been treacherous. And I’m okay with that.
There are pleasures to be found and remarkable experiences to be had each time you step away from the normal of your every day life.
Walking new paths, wherever they may be—as safe as you may choose—opens you up to new emotions, new memories, and forever leaves impressions upon your heart and soul.
How do you define an adventure?
*Female and on Facebook? Find my group, Adventurous Broads ABROAD. I’d be happy to have you join us.
Although TSA still makes you pack trekking poles (mine do not have sharp tips on them) in your checked bag, I take these z-poles on every trip. For someone with as wonky balance as I, them keep those hazards at bay.
**
For me, adventure means getting out of our comfort zone and trying to find something new. We dont need to choose a dangerous trails to hike. I see hiking as a way to relax and enjoy the nature. I wrote a post about trekking and hiking.
You sure can see a lot of unique views without it being dangerous, Luna.
Welcome back from Wales – you probably see yourself as a local now! It looks as though you had fun on your hikes. I am sure I would enjoy hikes and nature walks as I adore the outside, even more so in beautiful environments.
When I travel I want to see the sights, soak in the culture and meet the locals. I cannot get my head around families who pay for luxurious holidays and stay at the resort the whole time. No excursions or mixing with the locals. Even good food and entertainment becomes boring once the setting is the same!
San Francisco, Hawaii, Canada and The Bahamas are just a few places I would like to visit in the near future.
Every holiday is an adventure for me!
Not back yet, Phoenicia, but I love your welcome home anytime!
Those pics were from last time–it’s so beautiful I never get tired of looking at them.
Oh gosh, you are so right about that! A resort is just a pretty place to stay–I want to be out doing things and meeting people.
Let me know when you plan San Francisco–I have never been there and it’s on my list, too!
I agree. Sometimes I wish I was more adventurous, but adventure is different things to different people. Creativity is a wonderful adventure for me. There are simple pleasures, and wonderful scenery in beautiful, but safe places of the world.
Adventure really is different for all of us and I agree that being creative is an adventure all its own.
I am the exact same way. I try to avoid danger way.
I also like to hike, even then,On a hike, on slip and you can be experiencing danger.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
I am the exact same way. I try to avoid danger, not pay money to have it.
I also like to hike, here its the Adirondack Mountains, even then, I make sure I carry survival gear with me. On a hike, on slip and you can be experiencing danger.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
That’s right, William. Although most of my hiking slips have ended in soggy feet: is there water? I fall in it. ha ha
I’m with you. For me, adventure is about exploring new places, learning about new things and people, and finding beauty. I am not a thrill seeker and don’t need to somehow prove myself by seeking out ever more dangerous experiences. That being said, I think travel experiences can be richer when you risk stepping a little out of your comfort zone to experience new cultures and dare to meet new people.
Totally agree with stepping outside of our comfort zones, Donna. I have a low threshold for boredom and the same-old, same-old will do me in quicker than almost anything else.
I like…”finding beauty.”
For me adventure is anything that excites me, I am not interested in any crazy mad adventures every time I would like to try out some adventure sports though for once to experience the feel.
Traveling and exploring is an adventure which I am always up for 🙂
Sushmita, I think we can find excitement in anything when we travel. Good luck with adventure sports–you do that and I will experience it vicariously through you!
I’m with you. I like to travel, but I don’t like the kind of ‘adventure’ that includes danger or risk of danger. Give me adventure of the tame kind. Let’s go sight seeing via walking or boat or something of that nature. No rock climbing for me. No running from wild animals. Well… you get the point.
Ha, I do get the point, Cheryl! We can watch the crazy folks run from the wild animals from the safety of a porch, drinking wine.
I agree with you Rose Mary. I mean I’ve crossed the line a time or two, but for the most part I keep my adventures pretty reasonable. I remember once when I was in Korea with a dozen other sales managers from Hawaii I talked my friend into going to a huge local outdoor market. There we were a red head and a blond walking in a sea of black-haired short people staring up at us like we were aliens. A couple even walked up and in a sort of local sign language asked if they could touch our hair!
The funniest thing though was as we were looking for a taxi to take us back to the hotel a school bus came by and actually slowed down so the kids could look at us. They were waving out the window like we were celebrities – it was so much fun! Some people may have considered that a bit over the line, but I have a feeling if you’d been on that trip you’d have gone with me without a second thought. 🙂
You betcha’, Marquita! I’d have been right there with you and delighted if they had gotten a kick out of my red hair and freckles! I love your stories. Added: so, yeah, duh, did this redhead cruise right over your redhead statement? Must keep drinking coffee.
In my twenties, I probably crossed the travel line a time or two, but luckily, I got wise pretty darned fast. Whew for some wisdom in my youth.
For me an adventure is something I take on that is out of the ordinary, something that “heightens” my senses in some way or other. It need not be travel. The word has a positive ring and when I face uncomfortable challenges, I will sometimes refer to them as “adventures” to help shift my mind out of gloom or fear! I’m not into danger either.
It’s exciting to read everyone’s unique take on adventure, Ramona, and learn that I’m not alone in thinking it does not have to be tied to danger.
“Heightens my senses,” is a wonderful phrase.
I enjoy all kinds of adventures, both big and small. I can be content with an amble through the forest, but I’m also prone to wanting to hike up tall mountains. I’ve never got into technical climbing though, but never say never. On the first backcountry trip I took my boyfriend on, I choose one that climbed over 3,400 feet in elevation. It was on the moderately difficult side, but he kept up no problem even though he’d never done that demanding of a hike before.
Oh boy, Jeri, if I ever go hiking with you and want to survive, I’d better choose our route! HA! You could hike well with my brother-in-law. He treks over mountainsides the way other people walk through malls.
Hi Rose: I love travel because it is full of adventures! But then, I go looking for adventure. I have friends who go to a resort in a hot locale and stay at the resort the whole time! I could absolutely NEVER do that. To me, the adventure of travel, means getting out and exploring the unknown. Staying within the confines of a resort and just eating the safe, prepared meals is something I could do without.
Ugh, Doreen! I have traveled with resort-people. While I understand that they are content doing so, I go stir crazy! Must. Get. Out!
Enjoy your next trip to Wales! I’ve not yet been, but it looks amazing!
Rose Mary, here in Canada every year there are snowmobilers who go into restricted area and cause a avalanche. They go in for the thrill and often endanger their own lives but also at great expense endanger the lives of others who are sent to rescue them. That isn’t adventure – that is irresponsibility. This is just one example. There are many others.
I like the way you ‘adventure’ – looking for the beauty in nature and chatting up the locals. Only way to go.
Lenie, that’s terrible! I don’t understand that sort of irresponsible behavior. When I lived in Montana, more than once folks had to be rescued from hiking in places that they were not qualified to be hiking in. I err on the side of caution when hiking.
Adventure to me is doing something a little different to your everyday- sight seeing abroad, spending the day at a theme park, taking a walk through a forest (during the day of course!)
Just being in a new environment is exciting for me. I like waking up in a new town/village/country.
I like your ideas, Phoenicia, except for the theme park. Yep, I’m a rides-wimp!
Hiking in a place where “human life isn’t highly valued” is not only dangerous, it is ethically questionable. It’s like you’re seekng a thrill based on others misfortune.
Well said, Ken. I’m puzzled when people do things like that.
I’m with you Rose. Even when was younger, I never felt that need for excitement through dangerous excursions. I am so content to see scenery that leaves me awestruck or visit some historic place. 🙂
Me, too, Susan. I get a thrill from a gorgeous view or learning something in a museum, conversing with a unique person, taking in the aroma of an old church. No danger for me.