Adventure is Risky Business

"It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves - in finding themselves.”  Andre Gide

ad-ven-ture - an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks. (Merriam-Webster)

When was the last time you took a risk and were glad you did?

To have an adventure in its truest form is to do something different, brave and challenging. Often, it is a physical feat and sometimes it's psychological. Many times, it's both. 

There's nothing quite like hitting the open road equipped with a few favourite snacks, a change of clothes (complete with multiple footwear options, of course), and a full tank of gas. And there's something about intentionally get lost for a while that can help you find your way again.

Some people may wonder why I can't seem to sit still and have such a desire to keep exploring new and familiar places. I spend countless hours behind the wheel, thousands on fuel (and car maintenance - ouch!), and have mastered the fine art of living out of a suitcase. I eagerly anticipate the next trip and am often already packing for it - seriously. It's a bit of a hobby, a passion, a lifestyle - and it blends extremely well with my chosen career. It's an actual human need you know, this thing for discovery and exploration (and there are studies to prove it). And it's not that I'm necessarily running away from something, rather, toward something. 

Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet, BC. 

Once you get bitten by the travel bug, there really is no cure. It's an expensive hobby, but it's also one of the greatest investments a person can make, in my personal (and professional!) opinion. Fortunately, Canada provides some of the most spectacular opportunities for exploring so you don't have to go far from home... but it sure can be fun when you do!

Taking the time to really explore a place can lead to so many positive things and in my experience one of the greatest benefits is personal growth. Sharing the experience of discovery and overcoming challenges with another person changes the situation and inevitably leads to making a different set of memories than when travelling solo. These memories are often much stronger and sometimes more meaningful than when travelling on your own, simply by sharing them with another person. The experience is just richer and amazing things can happen - even fears have the potential to be overcome when they are identified and faced. (Bears, bridges, cougars, sharks, capsizing, to name a few of mine).

To risk, for some people, means facing a challenge or doing something intentional to overcome a fear... even if it means potentially getting hurt. For others, it means consciously opening a part of themselves, despite the understanding that it could lead to a different kind of pain. Either way, being vulnerable and willing to take the risk is essential to living one's best life. In life and love there are no guarantees but there sure can be regrets.

Old Growth Forest, near Port Renfrew, BC. 

Some of my best and most profound experiences have been found far beyond my comfort zone. Physically being in inspiring places certainly helps, but it's the encouragement of someone close that helps to draw your courage and strength to the surface. What would ordinarily be terrifying suddenly doesn't seem quite so big and powerful when you feel safe with a trusted travel companion. It is out of a place of trust, acceptance, and sometimes even love - wait, especially love, that helps you to move past the fear and truly grab hold of the experience.

It's a necessary part of life to be able to navigate your own way, but sharing an adventure with someone else, especially someone you care about and that cares for you can be one of life's most rewarding experiences as you build trust, learn and grow. These are the experiences that make taking risks so completely worth it. I still believe that to experience the greatest joys in life, you must be open to taking the greatest risks. 

Gargantua Bay, Lake Superior Provincial Park, ON.

Hmmm. Perhaps the journey is the destination, after all. 

The Change of Seasons

"Adventure is worthwhile in itself.”  Amelia Earhart

I have always loved the change of seasons, especially here in Ontario. The time I spent living in the Vancouver area made me realize there are two main seasons on the west coast of Canada - rain and summer. While mild weather afforded a shorter winter season, I actually missed the newness that each distinct change of season would bring and the subtle transitions from one to the next. The fresh hopefulness of spring, the still warm nights and sweet smell of summer, the crisp air and aroma of freshly fallen leaves, and one of my favourites - oh yes, the distinct smell of that first snowfall of the season. (Experts would argue that there's no such thing as "scent of snow", but skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts would disagree!)

Fall colour drive near Torrance Barrens, Muskoka, ON

Fall in Ontario is nothing short of spectacular, and this past year was one of the best I have ever seen. It is often a time of adventure and growth for me. I spent some time exploring the side roads of Muskoka and Algonquin Park in search of brilliant fall colours, and then taking my friends and family along for the ride - both in person and through sharing photos, like this one. Little did I know that my "Fall Colours - Somewhere Over the Rainbow" photo would be seen and appreciated by over 160,000+ people through the power of social media... and completely unintentionally!

It seems that everyone has their favourite season, often determined by the activities they enjoy the most and in the temperatures they are most comfortable in.

Snowshoe hike at Voyageur Quest, Algonquin Park, ON

I was once an open-minded fan of winter, but this was the longest winter EVER and have been seriously reconsidering my position on the season altogether! At one point, I was sure we were all trapped in the polar vortex and it was never going to end. The only escape would have been hopping on a plane to somewhere else...anywhere else! I think migrating birds have it all figured out and we could learn a lesson or two from them.

Once the sun started to shine again, I was both determined and delighted to get out there and enjoy the best of the season.

I strapped on a pair of snowshoes and set out to blaze some trails in the fresh, fluffy white snow. Stumbling across scenes like this one above makes the effort completely worthwhile. (Hot chocolate helps, too!)

Canadian Tulip Festival, Ottawa, ON

Fast forward to spring and suddenly everything is green and popping with colour! The songbirds return and start singing well before the sun rises. (It's such a sweet sound to wake up to for a period of time, and then shutting the window is the only option in order to sleep past 5 am!).

Unfortunately, all of this means that it's also black fly and mosquito season, but the longer days, warmer temps and blooming flowers seem to make up for any temporary discomfort.

Killbear Provincial Park, ON

After a few glorious months of long, sunny days, tasty treats and summertime fun, the cycle begins all over again. While already getting outside as much as possible, I am shaping plans to make the most of the summer season, before the threat of the next polar vortex ensues.

I have learned that time is one commodity not to be taken for granted. So, it's time to think about what you'd like to see and do this summer, add something new to your bucket list and make it happen. (And be sure to share it with others - the experience is so much richer that way!)

In seasons and in life - change, if embraced, can be exciting and energizing. If resisted, it can be painful and unpleasant. Everything is a choice - choose wisely and happy exploring!

"One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”  Henry Miller