Throughout the summer I am going to attempt something a bit different from the normal postings here at Simple Marriage Project. Every so often I am going to pose a question or discussion topic to extract some thoughts, wisdom and tips from readers.
So to get this party started, here’s what happened to me last week.
One evening I was reading an article in Backpacker magazine about two people who hiked the Continental Divide Trail from New Mexico to Canada and then back. It took them almost 200 straight days on the trail to complete the task.
As I was reading, my wife came in a said to me, “Why don’t you take a month and go on an adventure? You’d love it. Why don’t you go and do it?â€
So what would you do if you were in my shoes? If given a month to live an adventure, what would you do?
I’m in the midst of planning for later this summer and I’d love to hear from you. Where would you go? Who would you go with? What would you do?
A note: please don’t feel constrained by the usual format of “blogger writes article, commenters address authorâ€. You’re encouraged to engage with other commenters, have discussions with other readers and go a little off-topic if you like.
The comment threads in these posts should generate interesting discussion but my main hope is that they’ll provide a forum for readers to chat, ask questions, share tips and get to know each other. I’ll be participating in the discussions, too.
So to pose the question once more, what would you do during a month long adventure? Stretch your thinking and post a response in the comments section below. I look forward to the discussion as well as some ideas I may use during my own adventure.
Corey is the editor of Simple Marriage as well as a licensed marriage & family therapist. While he has a Ph.D. in Family Therapy, he only occasionally likes to be called doctor. If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe so you don't miss any future posts.No related posts.
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I would say it would be some type of outdoor adventure, probably overseas. A month isn’t long enough to through-hike or anything but I think backpacking/traveling across an African country would be awesome.
I would get in my car and start driving, maybe East, maybe South, wherever the sun is shining. I would find a small town square with a cafe, meet the people who live there, taking their pictures and hearing their stories. I got to do this about a month ago for two days, and it was wonderful. There are so many interesting people in this world, living their everyday lives in everyday ways. But they all have stories that are so much more. That would be an adventure made for me.
@ crossn81- An African adventure would be great. A good friend of mine who was raised there tells great stories about hearing lions during the night while camping. Nothing like setting up camp and wondering if you’ll make it through the night!
@ Heather- It’s great to hear the stories of others. It reminds me of an old Cheers episode where Woody was supposed to travel overseas but never left the airport, where he stayed for a week and talked to all types of people.
I would hike in Alaska. I’ve always wanted to go there. The photos I’ve seen are beautiful. I would also work on being scuba certified and go swim with the beluga whales up north.
Another idea is to go the the barrier reef and suba dive there.
You’re a big hiker. YOu could either do something extreme in the hiking world or you could get out of your norm and ponder things you haven’t done before. Example would be a sailing/scuba trip, hang gliding or skydiving over somewhere exotic, going into the rainforest. Sounds like you in for a great experience. As far as who you would take….ME! he he he
The african thing. I knew a guy who biked the entire coast of Africat and loved it. I also knew a girl who hiked the entire Appalachian trail. I think that took her more than a month though.
I had the opportunity for a month long adventure a couple of years ago. What I decided to do was travel throughout Europe. I know it’s the cliche thing to do after college, but I went with my boyfriend at the time (who is now my husband) and we went to Rome, Florence, Pisa, Venice, Paris, Normandy, Taragona (Spain), and Dublin. It was so amazing to see some of the greatest works or art and architecture and to be able to share that with someone who had a similar appreciation, though an interesting and different view (I love different types of architecture and my husband loves history, and is now a history teacher).
Not only was it great for the history and art, but it was the best test our relationship could ever hope to have. It was 30 days of just us for 24 hours a day. Most of the time we didn’t speak the language, other than the basics, so we relied on each other for so much throughout out trip. What we found out is that we made an amazing team. So much so in fact, that the day before we left to come home, my husband proposed to me.
I think anytime you can find 30 days to spend with someone you care about, doing something you care about, there is no greater way to spend time.
@ Laurie- I will some day do an Alaskan adventure. Don’t think I can get it in this year though. I will be hitting the hiking trail as part of the time, not sure where or for how long yet.
@ Jennifer- I will be in Scotland for 9 days of the adventure. I won’t be with my wife, instead I’m going with my father. Should be great. You are so right in being with someone you care about during an adventure makes it that much better.
I’m bummed that you are not taking me!!!! :O( DO you have scotish heritage? You could do an adventure looking at your heritage.
My father’s side is 100% Scottish. We are meeting family and seeing the areas he spent some growing up years while there. It should be extremely cool.
Is your dad going to hike with you? Is he active or will you go hiking on your own?
A month isn’t that long. You should get a month every year with annual leave from work right? Its the kind of canned contiki tour vacation that everyone does.
But, if I only had a month a year, I suppose I would make-do with the 21-day tour of Europe, the 19-day South American trek, or the 14-day African safari… just like everyone else.
Notice that everyones month-long-adventure involves travel? Funny that we all want to “get away” and escape our day-to-day… to find ourselves.
@ Ian- It is interesting that we must “leave” our life in order to find our life again. I suppose if anyone could figure out a way for people to discover life again within their routine, they’d be rich.
@Corey- I think that is because you have to get out of the day to day to put things into percepctive. It gives you a chance to clear your mind and find the thoughts, dreams, and passions that get trampled down and lost in the launday. I think you are right, how can we do that within our day to day life. There’s your next book Corey!
I was just telling a girlfriend of mine that I would go to Paris if I could.. I’ve wanted to go to Europe for a few years now and most of my friends have gone. My french exists lol although not GREAT
Then I’d visit a military wife friend in Germany.. I would go with the flow – see the sites, really live and make it a point to meet people and get into their stories (I’m always fascinated by the lives of others)
*sigh*
you know … this is not such a bad idea..
@ JEMi- Europe has a certain draw to most people. I would love to go Europe with my family sometime. We’d fly in with a return date several months later, a EuroRail pass, backpacks, and a few maps. Nothing else planned. What a great trip that will be.
I would probably choose a place to get away from all distraction.
OOPS–Sorry I hit the submit button a little to quick—let me finish.
If I had a month to get away I think I would choose a place to get away from all distraction. Somtimes I get so wrapped up in my thoughts and life that I feel like I am going around and around in circles. For me I would try to go somewhere that I could step back from the things that occupy my mind and take time to reconnect with the inner self giving my mind, body and sprit time to reenergize. Maybe— backpacking by mule down into the Grand Canyon and then camping there for the rest of the month—what a better way to reenerzige than with nature. How does this sound Corey
Want to hang out with a mule?
Corey—what a beautiful gift your wife has offered you.
@ Deborah- A month in the Grand Canyon sounds like quite a time. Especially when you’ve got a mule to talk to.
Have ever been snorkeling? I went in college to John Penny Camp in Florida back in college. OMG! What an experience. The fish were incredibly beautiful and they swam right with you. It was a freeing experience!
I get the redundancy award!
My wife and I have snorkeled several times. We will do so again when we go to the Caribbean next month. Can’t wait.
Are you taking your kids?
In July-August my husband and I plan to drive around the entire perimeter of the United States (a simplified description!), stopping at as many of the national parks as we can along the way. We’ve even bought a really ancient RV to do the trip in. It’s going to be a rush to see everything, but we have to leave the States immediately after the trip so it’s worth it.
@ Tina- Sounds like a great trip! Especially in an “ancient” RV. Hope you enjoy your time across the country.
@ Laurie- At this point I am unsure if the kids will be going. The trip overseas is just me, meeting my father over there in Scotland. The rest is still being planned.
Go somewhere where you can let some hidden part of you heart out. Some passion that’s dying to escape. Go somewhere where you can feel freedom and get to a higher level of introspection and desire for the treasures of life and God.