Enjoying My Immediate Surroundings- A Year of Exploration!

I got bit by the travel bug when I was very young, and as my fellow travelers, adventurers and explorers can attest, I constantly crave new sights and experiences. I am nearly always up for going someplace new, always dreaming of my next big vacation, and I would love a career that provided me opportunities to visit new places and experience varying cultures.

I recently went on a hike in an area I had never been before (see Sauvie Island post). As I was walking, taking in the scenery and the beautiful sunny day, I realized I was just as excited to visit this area (not far from my home), as I was seeing a new spot on my recent vacation in Hawaii. This was such a powerful moment for me! I don’t have to travel thousands of miles to satisfy that itch to see something new.

I often think about the next town or city I would like to live in, moving around appeals to my sense of adventure. As of late, I’ve been longing for something new- thinking about attending graduate school in a different state, or accepting a job in another part of the country, but this is a time, for several reasons, that I need to hunker down a bit. So, I’ve decided I will explore my own backyard to continue my sense of wonder, appreciation, and excitement for my current surroundings. This is obviously not going to satiate my desire to visit new countries and experience different languages, cultures etc., but I can always go on vacation!

So, I am making a concerted effort to explore new places in the Portland Metro area and surrounding geography. My goal: visit a new place once a month! I would love your suggestions! Please leave them in your comment section below.