It’s a big world out there. Where do you even begin as you consider stepping out of your door? Start by determining your key motivations. Not everyone travels for the same reason and different kinds of travel achieve different goals for the traveler. Adventure travel is the combination of nature + activity + culture. Many adventure travelers are interested in transformation through such experiences.
Asking yourself a big question like “Why do I need this trip?” can help put you on the right path.
My family distinguished the difference between travel and vacation long ago. Sometimes we need to unplug and sit by a pool or relax on a beach somewhere. We know that the world will continue spinning without us. We may even choose to do some rock climbing or kayaking but are likely to do so in a familiar setting where we don’t have to think too much about how to get there, where to stay, where to eat, etc… That is vacation.
Travel on the other hand is an immersive experience where we learn about a new destination, set our course, and embark on a journey of discovery. It takes more work to plan and more attentiveness to the myriad of details along the way. At times, guides are indispensable and they deepen the learning experience for us. We like travel and vacation. They achieve different goals for us.
So, how about you? Choosing to invest in experience vs accumulating more possessions may be something you are looking for. Perhaps you want to put away the screens and spend time with your family. It may be the mountains calling you. It may be the discovery of new food or the desire to make new friends that speaks to you. No matter what it is, do the hard work to determine why you want to travel.
I write this with the unknowns of a post-COVID reality lingering just far enough away for us to make any sense of them. And this isn’t the first disruption that Adventure Access has faced. There have been natural disasters in the past to affect what we can or can’t do for a season or two. This brings up another consideration.
Make sure you can have the type of experience you are looking for.
If your plan for travel is built upon some bigger motivations, make sure you can achieve what it is you set out to do. A region may seem to be open, but if the local outfitters and other locally run establishments are closed, will it be the type of experience you hoped for? Probably not. A National Park may be open but certain trails may be closed or camping prohibited at the time. This would be a good thing to know. You will likely make a different decision in light of such information. The last thing you want is to show up expecting one thing but getting another, especially if you are traveling as a family or as a group of friends. Such situations are stressful and none of us have labeled stress as one of the motivations for travel. Ask good questions, do your research, and make informed decisions.
We will travel again. Humans are traveling creatures. We thrive on connecting. We will need to see faces. We will need to hold hands. We will need to exchange a hug. Sure, some things will change. Some things will return to the way they were. Some things will improve. Just make sure you start at the right place as you begin the journey to your next destination.
