The meaning is individualized, make it your own.

After talking with my friend and mentor Jeremy earlier this week, we discussed many things…but the idea of adventure being personalized and meaning different things to different people came up. We exchanged ideas and examples and I felt like I should share, maybe it will serve as a catalyst to get someone to get out on their first adventure in years.

With access worldwide to immediate platforms to showcase our adventures, sometimes the idea of adventure is an extreme climbing scene or trek up Everest…I want to challenge this stigma and present a different side to adventure. While these epic adventures are amazing, and not a thing wrong with them, from the outside looking in it could leave others feeling like their adventure to the park with their grandma, for example, is not worthy to be content on their social media channels. I would like to expose both sides and bring the dictionary definition of adventure to guide the post.

Adventure: ad·​ven·​ture | \ əd-ˈven-chər

1 (a). an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks.

(b). the encountering of risks.

2. an exciting or remarkable experience.

Source: Merriam-Webster

• 

• 

I take the first definition as the more popular, seen as true adventure to many. While I find myself many times in this category, I have had times where a seemingly smaller adventure had a great impact on my life. One example being a time I was walking around Disney World with my grandpa.

We were down in Florida for a family vacation and I was hanging out with my grandfather for the afternoon (this was before I enjoyed rollercoasters and such rides). We started the day milling around the Animal Kingdom resort we were staying at and then moved in to the actual park itself. We spent several hours just walking, taking in the sights and sounds, and enjoying each others company. At a young age, I did not realize this was an adventure…and at the time was even starting to get bored. But looking back, I wouldn’t trade that day for anything. The conversation with my grandfather was special, and I will remember it forever. Both my father and grandfather instilled the travel bug in me and made adventure and exploration a big part of my life. I am so thankful for that!

Pictured above is my grandfather in his 80s pulling my father on the boat who is in his 50s.

With a societal influence for pushing the envelope, the second, less intense definition lies in a quiet dungeon. ‘ an exciting or remarkable experience.’ can be anywhere, with anyone, at any time. This definition opens up a whole new aspect to adventure and no matter what corner of the Earth you live on, you will have access to adventure. It is kind of amazing to see the vast array of activities that you could classify as ‘adventure’

• 

• 

• 

An urban explorer can uncover new scenery and capture amazing art that is man made. While this is different from the wild lands, it is accessible by those in the city and creates their escape from reality. So no matter where you are, I urge you to get out and adventure! You can find adventure at every turn. No matter if you are in the middle of the largest city in the world or in the middle of the desert. The choices are nearly endless, and the stroll to get groceries with your best buddies qualifies just as much so as a dash up scree in the Rocky Mountains.

Go check out Jeremy’s website, he has an awesome podcast and excellent content and resources for any explorer to enjoy.

I hope you enjoyed the read!