Adventure: Simple Family Excursions
March 16, 2009
Not every adventure needs to be a monumental expedition. Most of us don’t have the time, resources, or determination (perhaps even the desire, truth be told) to climb a mountain or sail around the world. But if you have a Spirit of Adventure, even simple family excursions can be an amazing way to escape the ordinary and enjoy the beauty of life.
The trick to finding simple, affordable family adventures is to think of yourself as a tourist in your own town. If you live in a city, you can go to almost any hotel and find all sorts of brochures and information about things to do in your area. For instance, when we lived in Austin we discovered tons of great things to see as a family, like the Congress Bridge Bats, Pedernales Falls, and Historic Gruene (sounds like green).
One of our favorite little family adventures was Inner Space Cavern. You just have not seen Austin until you have seen the wonders that lie beneath it. You also cannot appreciate total darkness unless you have been in a cave. When they turn off the lights, you can’t see your hand in front of your face! Just 20 minutes from our house we had an underground exploration adventure.
I can already hear the excuses running through your head… “yeah, but that’s a really cool town like Austin; what if you live in the middle of nowhere?” Well I’m here to tell you that you can find adventures anywhere.
Our current town in Georgia is a far cry from Austin. I can’t say it’s a one-horse town, because there are probably more horses here than people; but it is definitely not a tourist destination. Most of our adventures here happen in our back yard. Here is my son wading through the creek after a storm:
When we want to get real fancy, we splurge on a 40 minute drive to Alabama, and $3 for parking, to go hiking at Cheaha State Park. You would be amazed at how fun and beautiful a day hike through a national park can be. It really doesn’t take much time or money to get out with your family (or alone) and exercise your Spirit of Adventure. If your kids are anything like my son, they can probably use the fresh air and time away from electronics… and I’m sure it would do you some good, too!
Now that you are all out of excuses, and have no good reason to postpone your adventures, get out there and do something fun. Then come back and tell us all about it! As I mentioned before, feel free to email me your adventure story and a picture or two, and I’ll add it to the Spirit of Adventure series.
You can send your stories, questions, comments, helpful hints, and words of praise to:
MyQuestForBalance (at) gmail (dot) com
Live a Little!
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Local adventures…what a great idea!
I really like the idea of stopping in a hotel to find the little brochures on stuff to do. Fortunately, I live in a major metropolitan area, Philadelphia, so I’m sure there are plenty of new adventures that I’ve missed.
Hi Lisis,
I am with you…adventure is a state of mind and you do not need to go far to find it. We live about less than 2 hours away from New York City, and talk about adventures. Whether it is food or just walking the streets of the city, there is an adventure to be found. Also, we live near Philly and there so many great beaches near by so that is always fun. So yes, you do not need to go far to go on an adventure! Woo hoo!
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Yeah, yeah, adventure smenture… so when are you coming back?
Okay, I’ll be serious now:
You make excellent points – adventure is good, and there’s probably plenty of stuff to do in our own backyard (no matter where we live).
I go on a weekly hiking adventure with my sons into the Santa Monica Mountains. It’s a quick get-away, and offers breathtaking views of the ocean as well as the city. I guess it’s not exactly an adventure if we go weekly, but (for me) it’s always a way to get away and unwind. Besides, I have enough adventure just trying to keep up with them nowadays.
Hi, guys! I like the way you are all thinking. Every little thing you do to get out of the day-to-day rut counts… even if you do the same hike weekly, Michael. They say you can never swim in the same river twice, and I’d be willing to bet that you never go on the same hike twice if you are paying attention.
Each morning that we have been here (at my sister’s house) we take time to sit out in the yard and get some sun. Some days we see colorful birds, other days we see amazing bugs, and today we saw the oxen that keep the grass mowed out back. We wandered down to the creek and splashed around on the boulders. A mini-adventure, to be sure… but it counts.
Now that I know where all three of you live, I’m coming to have adventures in YOUR towns.
Hi Lisis,
Okay, you can come but bring the lasgna with you!!!
(And make it vegetarian!!!!) Happy to read you are having fun! 
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I’ll bring it, Nadia, but I can’t be held responsible for its effects.
[...] Kids is one of the best at raising … explore Inner Space Cavern where it is always 72 degrees. …Adventure: Simple Family Excursions | Quest for BalanceIf you have a Spirit of Adventure, even simple family excursions can be an amazing way to escape the [...]