It’s not often we take a road trip for over a week, but that’s exactly what my wife Kathy & I did this past month. Aside from the engine on our beloved aging Toyota van deciding to ‘retire’ on our ride home… we both felt this was a very good journey together.
Part of this trek was all about revisiting familiar places and exploring new locations we’ve never seen before. The other ‘goal’ was to reconnect with old friends I hadn’t seen since my early 20’s. That combination really made for an interesting time.
For your consideration, here are 5 pathways to summer adventures…
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Be a tourist where you live.
Ever wonder what visitors do when they come to the region you live? Web search “visitor attractions” + your city, state, or province. A cruise around the San Juan Islands offers a great day trip; check our current contest.
For a great aerial-like view, go to Orcas Island and make the drive up to Mt Constitution. On top there’s an old rocky structure that is an awesome viewpoint. It’s also the location of our PRAISE broadcast tower.
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Look up old friends or family.
Facebook has been a great tool for looking up old friends and acquaintances, and on our trip I shared conversations over coffee or a meal with probably 10 people I haven’t seen since I was 20-something.
I met up with past acquaintances in all kinds of places… including coffee shops, a farm, a furniture store, and a nursing home. It was so interesting to hear how their lives have played out. I found myself encouraged, as well an encourager.
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Explore places you’ve never been before.
Challenge yourself to regularly experience a place you’ve never been before. That makes life a little more interesting. You usually don’t have to go very far for this activity. Web search a map for your city, zoom out and start by looking for a place you’ve never been.
For instance, some years ago La Conner was such a place for me. I saw great works of art on display, surprisingly enough, in a quilt museum. On our more recent journey we stopped in Reedsport, Oregon and we witnessed a competition of masterpieces created before our eyes with the blade of a chain saw.
Confession: I’ve never been to Chilliwack, but that’s on my hit list.
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Attend an event.
The summer is filled with festivals & fairs that you can plan a day or a week around. Web search “festivals, fairs” + your state or province.
On our journey last month we enjoyed a very entertaining musical production of “Guys & Dolls” at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. No, Bill Shakespeare didn’t write that one.
What you experience just might become a tradition. That was true for me at the annual Creation festival at the Washington’s Gorge. This year, PRAISE Fest in Surrey is our destination one month from today on August 1st and perhaps we can meet up there.
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Get closer to nature.
I’ve found when I’m in the midst of natural surroundings, all our senses can soak in God’s creation.
On our vacation trek, stopping at the Oregon Caves along the way, we ended up looking skyward at the magnificent redwood trees in California. Walking through a forest of these tall giants, some over a thousand years old, was simply awe inspiring.
As a Boy Scout I still remember camp outs near the mountains and how the skies opened up at night to so many stars… it was unbelievable.
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No matter your circumstances, I hope you find some time to make some great memories this summer.
Share your own adventure below!
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