LOOKING FOR ADVENTURE

BY DAN MILLER
December 4, 2006

Often, when my wife and I travel, I make a case for leaving the interstate and taking
the back roads.
"It'll be an adventure," I say.

But, after traveling with me for so many years, Karen knows my track record with uncharted routes, so she usually votes for simply staying on the clearly marked interstate highway.
And, as every husband knows, a tie vote goes to the wife.

Here's what got me thinking about this.
I was listening to a public radio talk show this past weekend, when an interviewer -- whose name I never caught -- was talking with Tim Cahill, one of America's most successful travel adventure writers.

The interviewer asked Mr. Cahill, "What's the secret to writing a good travel story"?
He replied, "Something has to go wrong!"
And it's true.
Think about it.... anytime a friend or relative tells you about their trip or vacation, the only really good parts are the parts about what went wrong.

I don't want to hear about someone's perfect meal, or their neatly orchestrated itinerary, or how all their flights were on time and hassle free.
It's human nature..... people want to hear about problems and misery!

Now, I must admit I wasn't familiar with Tim Cahill.... but after hearing that radio interview I Googled his name and -- sure enough -- he's a respected writer and regular contributor to National Geographic Adventure magazine.

Taking his comments a bit further, Mr. Cahill said, "getting lost is one of the most important things you can do to find adventure and great travel stories."
I hope Karen was listening.
That's exactly what I tell her every time I get lost.
I tell her, "this is what you'll be talking and laughing about when, and if, we get home!"

For example, about 24 years ago in London, we took The Tube on a quick trip to see the home of Charles Dickens.
I decided we should exit the underground train a few block early.... so we walked about 6 blocks through, what were clearly, "non-tourist" neighborhoods.
When we located the Dickens home, it was closed.
Great fodder for memories to this day.

Then, there was the "mother of all travel problems" in Italy about 19 years ago.
I got lost -- then frustrated -- and announced that we were turning in our rental car in Naples, and skipping Venice and Florence.... the 2 cities Karen most wanted to see.
It was a travel decision the two of us are still "discussing" two decades later!
It was also the day I was enlightened to the idea that a tie vote goes to the wife.

In the radio interview, Tim Cahill suggested that a person should approach his travels with the attitude of an adolescent.
You know....
Whatever.

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