Reason enough

In a couple weeks, I’ll be leading a kayaking trip in Florida. Most people on the trip will start pulling their stuff together next weekend. Being the personality type I am means I was ready to roll two weeks ago.

Now, it’s just a question of watching the long-range weather forecast and adjusting the gear for temperature range. Logically, I could do that just once, close to the departure. But, it’s displacement activity, dealing with the anticipation, not unlike writing this.

As I was digging into the duffel bag last night for the umpteenth time, I wondered why we go to this trouble, with we being the over twenty participants. What do they get out of this that’s better than spending an effortless week with their feet up?

This winter makes one of the answers the most obvious. One of the things we hope for is a big improvement in weather. Why drive an entire day for a small temperature change? We want some contrast. The last time we did a trip to this area, we grouped up to caravan down there. It was about 18 degrees out with a fierce wind driving flurries to sting our faces. Perfect.

When we arrived at the warm beach, the vehicles emptied and people spontaneously threw off their coats, sprinted to the water’s edge and performed a joyous improvised “sun dance.” The locals exchanged knowing looks.

Of course, there’s more to it than thinning the blood or others wouldn’t be journeying to the mountains of Colorado and other colder places. It’s experiences you couldn’t enjoy with your nose pressed up against a television or computer screen. We’ll be plying crystal clear waters, snorkeling with manatees and colorful fish, camping in a jungle-like venue and having other adventures unavailable in our backyards.

People have different thresholds for what constitutes an “experience.” I receive postings on Facebook like “Having buckwheat pancakes for breakfast!” If flapjacks are enough of a highlight in your life that you feel compelled to broadcast your diet to the world, maybe you don’t need to pack up a week’s worth of gear and head south. On the other hand, maybe you do more than you know.

Then there’s the distance factor. Physical distance is also mental distance. I’m sure some of these people are feeling the economic pinch or have other problems that loom large for them. These issues tend to melt away with every mile driven. You step back and gain perspective.

And there’s also the group experience. While I relish my vacations with one or a few loved ones, there’s something about the bonding, validation and other group dynamics that make this type of trip very rewarding.

There are a lot of things that go into preparing for a trip like this with a large group and multiple activities and locations. But, the return has always far exceeded the investment. Reason enough.