Life is an Adventure

In my recent years, adventure has felt a bit blunted. Limitations have loomed large. When friends or family ask me what I’ve been up to lately, I struggle to find anything interesting to tell them.

So when my hubby and I had the opportunity to spend four days in Florida (for sitting through a time-share sales pitch), we went for it. I admit to some second thoughts. Travel is tough for me. But I’m so glad we did it.

And I found it interesting that the activities we planned didn’t work out too great, but a few things we stumbled across were extraordinary.  Isn’t that just like life?

Serendipity is a Blessing

Cold and rainy weather kept us from relaxing hours in the sunlight, but as we huddled under raincoats and walked around Disney Springs, we came across Cirque du Soleil. Somehow as we prepared for our trip, we’d never noticed that they have a permanent tent there. We bought tickets for the evening show–a spontaneous splurge, and something on my bucket list. It was amazing. The variety of talent and the exuberance left me breathless and inspired.

Our second serendipitous adventure came on our last day – when the sun was finally shining. We checked out and had hours to fill before going to the airport. We had googled a park, but when we arrived, found it was now a housing complex. Disappointed, we searched again, and drove to Shingle Creek Regional Park. This park did exist, and we walked along a nice secluded trail near a river. But my gaze kept returning to the sign announcing kayak rentals. The black water, cyprus swamp, and dripping Spanish moss just cried out to be explored from the water. My husband reminded me that we didn’t want to risk getting wet (or exhausted) before our flight home…but it didn’t take long for me to win him over.

We rented a two-person kayak and glided into another world. Flocks of ibis picked at the ground along the bank, a deer bounded through a stand of palmetto, and the water that looked so murky from the shore created a perfect black-mirror reflection of towering trees.

Then in a little alcove, we saw a gator. My husband turned the kayak so I could get a better look before it sank below the surface. I said, “What are you doing?” and tried to steer the boat AWAY. (My love for adventure has its limits!)

Still, that glimpse was a thrill.

I feel so blessed by those few days away from the ordinary. As I delve back into “real life,” I’m going to remember that many of my plans will be thwarted by things I can’t control–but there is still beauty around to surprise and delight me if I’m open to it.

Praying you have a day of serendipity and adventure!

Sharon Hinck

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