There's nothing I love more than adventures. Since my 70th birthday is just around the corner (June 9, 2022), I've been compiling an adventure bucket list of seriously epic proportions. I mean, you don't turn the BIG Seven-O every year. What should I do to celebrate? Here's my list so far:
- Hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim.
- Climb the Tetons.
- Take the Hadrian's Wall trail across England.
- Trek to Machu Pichu.
- Climb Kilimanjaro.
- Summit Mount Elbert in the Rockies.
- Backpack the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
- Climb the Swiss Alps again.
Right now I'm leaning towards going back to the Alps. I love these majestic mountains. My plan would be to visit old friends in Basel and Zurich and then make Zermatt my home base for climbs on the Allalinhorn, Plathorn, Mettelhorn, and the Rifflehorn. That would be pure perfection if you ask me.
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| The 4,027-meter peak Allalinhorn, which is about the same elevation as the Breithorn which I summited in 2017. |
God created us with a passion for exploration. We are here on this earth for discovery, growth, service, creative accomplishment, and adventure. I use the word "adventure" intentionally. An adventure isn't simply a trip you take somewhere. It's a foray into every aspect of your existence. Adventure often requires bravery and courage. It may mean pushing yourself to your limits. You can even use adventure as a tool for decision-making. Where do I go in life from here? What is there left for me to discover? How can I still inspire others through my adventures and experiences?
We all have de-stressing activities we engage in during times of transition or anxiety. To me, that's what adventures are for. When I travel, even if it's only a few miles, I leave my worries behind. And remember: there are no age limits to adventure. It's something you can stick with for life. This is very different from the spirit-defeating dilemma of coming to the end of one's career with no anticipation that God still has something important in store for you. Adventure is my preemptive strike against sourness and burnout.
Sure, change can be painful. But as we welcome new challenges and see them as opportunities for personal development, we will surely grow.