Over the years I have worked to consistently not only take writing trips that take me far but also share about the beauty that surrounds me in my own town and city and region. This is so important to me because as I have done this I have been challenged in new ways to really examine the concept of adventure.
I have shared this in my post last week, 10 Tips for Exploring Your Own City, (you can find it HERE) that I truly believe we as people love to have adventures, and often want to travel to far off and exotic places but that isn't always possible. I think many times the word "adventure" is synonymous with far away travel, but maybe you don't have a ton of money to travel to far away places or maybe your health doesn't allow you to travel as much as you would like or there are other reasons that you just can't do that as much as you would like.
Maybe you can't leave your job to travel.
Maybe you are caring for a loved one who is sick.
Maybe you are a mama with young ones or older ones that need you right where you are in your home.
Maybe you are saving for a new car or home.
Maybe there are unexpected bills you need to pay.
Maybe... maybe there are a 1000+ reasons you want to go on far off travel adventures but right now in this season you can't do that all of the time. That is okay friend. It really is.
Maybe you can't leave your job to travel.
Maybe you are caring for a loved one who is sick.
Maybe you are a mama with young ones or older ones that need you right where you are in your home.
Maybe you are saving for a new car or home.
Maybe there are unexpected bills you need to pay.
Maybe... maybe there are a 1000+ reasons you want to go on far off travel adventures but right now in this season you can't do that all of the time. That is okay friend. It really is.
As I was sick and bedridden for several years I learned that adventure can happen right in front of you (even from a bedroom window). And it doesn't mean you have to miss out on adventure and lose your spirit of wanderlust.
I hope that this post will inspire you to explore right where you are and see the beautiful adventure of the life you have.
Here are 4 more tips for exploring your own city...
I hope that this post will inspire you to explore right where you are and see the beautiful adventure of the life you have.
Here are 4 more tips for exploring your own city...
1. Act Like A Tourist
If you had loved ones coming for a visit where would you take them? What are the things that you would want them to experience or the sights that surround and make up the place that you live? Research online to discover, find the history, consider visiting a state park or going to a museum, or going to the unique "hole in the wall" restaurant that makes your town special.
Several years ago when I lived outside of Atlanta I remember planning a "Saturday Tourist Day". I, along with some friends, planned out an entire day "pretending" that we were driving from a great distance to Atlanta and we had to fit in as many things as we could. It was SUCH a fun day. We met up early, had brunch at a upscale hotel in downtown Atlanta, saw all of the sightseeing things you could possibly imagine, took pictures everywhere, grabbed dinner at an exclusive place that overlooked the city that a friend had a connection to and then went to a live show in the city. The places we picked were things we all had never done before and it truly felt like we had traveled to another world. It was fabulous. I had never done this in another city that I had lived in, but definitely plan to again.
One thing that we recently did was purchase a travel book for our area of the state! Y'all, this has been eye-opening on what is available and right by us! There are city ideas, state ideas, road trip ideas, etc, etc.etc. There are literally SO many options! My favorite are THESE!
2. Learn About the History of Your City
Several months ago my mom and I decided to venture to a new little town in Vermont. I was doing some research for an upcoming blog post on cute towns in Vermont and had wanted to include a town that I kept hearing about. We traveled a couple of hours and found the most adorable town, but we also received a huge lesson in history. As we drove into the town we saw lots of museums and historical markers telling and sharing that this town had played a huge part in the underground railroad, something I had never known.
To be honest, I felt that I knew the history of my city and the surrounding area and the large part that it played in the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, George Washington's ties, and mainly the War of 1812. Learning about the impact that a town had on the Underground Railroad was an eye-opening experience as I realized that there was still so much to learn about this place that I lived.
Maybe, like me, you think that you know the history of your city, but take the time to explore and research and learn on a different level. It will definitely provide you with adventures of wanting to explore new areas and things.
To be honest, I felt that I knew the history of my city and the surrounding area and the large part that it played in the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, George Washington's ties, and mainly the War of 1812. Learning about the impact that a town had on the Underground Railroad was an eye-opening experience as I realized that there was still so much to learn about this place that I lived.
Maybe, like me, you think that you know the history of your city, but take the time to explore and research and learn on a different level. It will definitely provide you with adventures of wanting to explore new areas and things.
3. Accomplish a Goal
What are some clubs or unique activities in your city that are specific to your area of the world? One of the things that many people try to accomplish in my area of the world is becoming apart of the "ADK46ers" club. To obtain this goal you commit to climbing all of the 46 mountain peaks that comprise the Adirondack Mountains. A couple of dear friends accomplished this goal several years ago and it was so exciting! There is also a "winterADK46ers" club and lots of variations.
If you know me than you know that I have always loved hiking and as I have healed I have loved being out in nature again more and more. Several years ago I drove over to Lake Placid one Saturday and took a 46ers class to learn all about the hiking and mountains that are part of the 46er club. It was so great to connect with others who are passionate about similar things, spend the day learning, and then start to get outside to hike in this area. People drive for hours from New York City to come up to this area and many of the mountains are in a 5-7 hour radius from me so I consider it "in my city" and it has been fun to get to start to explore this more.
Y'all may have also seen that several years ago one of my goals was to start to accomplish the Adirondack Fifty Falls Challenge. It has been so fun and you can read more about the ones that I have seen, explored, hiked, and traveled to (in all different seasons) HERE.
I am confident that your city or town has lots of similar things for all different interest. There are many cities that have wine tasting clubs, bookstore clubs, etc. Think about what you love to do and set out to accomplish this goal in your city (or if you need to expand out like I did a bit do so!).
Isn't it funny that when we are traveling we often search for a place to see the city from a high vantage point but never do this in our own cities? Almost every city has a tall building and is open to visitors where you can see the city skyline. Take a trip to do this. Check out if there are any lounges or restaurants that offer a view of the city as you eat a meal. Maybe you have a friend who has an apartment or home with a rooftop that overlooks the city- ask them if you can come and take some pictures. Or go for the hike to oversee the beauty. Take the time to plan to overlook your city and it will give you a new perspective of the place that you call "home".
What are tips you have for exploring your own city? I have said this before, but never feel that exploring your own city is second to exploring other areas of the world! Remember sweet friends, your beautiful life is the adventure and no matter how near or far you can physically go, you can make life FULL of adventure and joy right where you are at!
Want to read more on my thoughts on being adventurers? Check out this post HERE!
Check out these posts for additional adventure and travel inspiration for exploring your own city:
10 Tips for Exploring Your City
Check out these posts for additional adventure and travel inspiration for exploring your own city:
10 Tips for Exploring Your City
4 comments
I love this post! I'm exploring my new cities here at Fort Knox.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bailey!! How are things going as you adjust to the new city?? Thinking about you and praying for you!
DeleteBlessings, Rebecca :)
I love these ideas!
ReplyDeleteAww thank you so much Callie!! I hope that you are having a wonderful week and a wonderful summer!!
DeleteBlessings,
Rebecca