The Corona lockdown has forced many of us to remain at home. Grand vacations and long-distance travel are discouraged, and tightened financial times have forced us to place thoughts of new adventures on hold. Or have they?
Say hello to the Micro-adventure, a short, simple, local, affordable – yet still fun, exciting, challenging, refreshing, and rewarding adventure. They take place outdoors, close-to-home, and don't require a large budget.
Made famous by Alastair Humphreys, a British adventurer, author, speaker, and photographer, the Micro-adventure can be enjoyed by virtually anybody willing to get off the sofa and out the door.
Adventure is only a state of mind.
On his website, Alistair states, "Adventure is only a state of mind. You do not need to fly to the other side of the planet to undertake an expedition. You do not need to be an elite athlete, expertly trained, or rich to have an adventure."
How about some examples of Micro-adventures?
At OTG Travel, we've gathered a few micro-adventure ideas from across the Internet to help get you started.
Be a tourist in your own town - Studies show that most people rarely visit their own city's tourist attractions. Spend a weekend as a tourist visiting your own town. What is your town know for? I bet there are things to see right where you live that you have never seen. Check to see if Segway rentals are available for sightseeing.
Visit a local park - Many parks have excellent hiking and biking trails, close to nature. Perfect for the whole family, and a welcome break from our sedentary digital world. Pack a lunch to enjoy along the way.
Visit someplace an hour or two away - Unforgettable adventures are closer than you think. Go online and discover what's out there within an hour or two of where you live. If you have kids, get them involved by having them research and then share their discoveries with the family. Then, make a list, and pack up the family. Your adventure awaits.
Go outside your comfort zone - Go Zip lining, tandem skydiving, or white water rafting. Go up in a hot air balloon. What's nice is that you do not have to be an expert at these activities as someone with experience is with you all the way, keeping you safe. The adrenalin rush is sure to invigorate.
Try Geocaching - Experience the world's most massive treasure hunt. There's an app for that, geocaching.com, and it is perfect for doing with kids. Those participating navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.
Eat something you've never tried before - Food trucks are known for their unique twists on everyday food. Find where the food trucks hang out in your town and experience street food at its finest. Visit a local farmer's market and try some of the local seasonal items. To me, farm-raised produce always tastes better.
Camp in your back yard - Yup. Pitch a tent in your yard and sleep under a star lit sky. Kids love it, and adults do too. You'll find that your yard feels different at night. Safely fire up a grill for burgers and dogs. Or, cook a meal on a camping stove. Then tell scary stories while making s' mores. Perfect for unseasoned campers, backyard camping comes with indoor plumbing.
Go for a neighborhood walk - Next time, instead of taking the car, walk. It is funny how different things look when walking instead of driving-even if it is around the neighborhood.
Take up a new craft or sport - Ever wish you could cook like a Chef? Do you play golf? How about learning to paint. Who knows, a hidden skill might be waiting to come out with adventures like these.
Go apple picking - or berry picking, or picking whatever is in season. This is perfect for the entire family - and it tastes good too. Search for U-Pick spots and start picking.
A Micro-Adventure could be the perfect cure during these uncertain times. Sharing experiences and time together will strengthen us all. And, wherever you go, keep your gear together and electronics charged with the ProTec Travel Laptop Computer Bag.
What's your favorite Micro-Adventure? We'd love to hear from you.
