There are all types of travel; the usual business or pleasure varieties plague us in our normalcy. Whatever happened to the pursuit of adventure?
The earth is graced with gorgeous natural splendors many of which are available to us here in America, others are far away hidden splendors in Vietnam and New Zealand. I urge you to leave behind the lonely desk that has become your 9 - 5 p.m. life and go on an adventure.
Adventure travel has become somewhat of a trend among the college student crowd. Many college graduates have begun to take a gap year (traditionally done before college) after graduation and before starting their lives in the workforce to join in on group adventure trips or explore the Amazon.
In the fashion of those adventurous graduates I began to research the adventures that were available to me here in the U.S Here are some of my favorite adventure travel spots (through research not experience, sadly).
1. The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon carries all the allure and mystery of the ancient natural world. With gorges and trails you can find all the adventure that a person could possibly handle. There is backcountry hiking, kayaking and rafting, you can even ride a donkey in the gorge that the Colorado River carved. The powerful reddish hues of the canyon will please every adventure seeker.
2. Yosemite National Park
One of California’s many splendors is Yosemite National Park. There are granite cliffs, waterfalls, miles of trails and immense wilderness in this adventure wonderland. How could you not visit a place where bears roam and the cliffs scream out for your presence on their cliffs?
3. Appalachian trail
For all of us Gainesville residents this may be the closest adventure available to us. The Appalachian trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and is about 2.200 miles long. The trail is part of the “Triple Crown” of long distance hikes in America, along with the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail.
4. Ziplining in Hawaii
I have never been to Hawaii but the paradise is world renowned. The pacific island chain is something of a marvel. The island became a part of the United States of America in 1959. The island is home to some of the most spectacular natural wonders: active volcanoes, abundant beaches (as Hawaii is the only state completely surrounded by water), national parks and a beautiful tropical climate. With the abundance of beauty, zip lining would be a wonderful opportunity to see the expanse of the environment while also getting an adrenaline rush—for all you adrenaline junkies out there.
5. White water rafting
You can find white water rafting in several different locations in the U.S. Georgia, North Carolina, Oregon and many other places offer this adrenaline filled activity. The white waters of nearby Georgia’s Smoky Mountains can bring you all the adventure you need and more.
