"A hop, a skip or a jump": Adventurer "Must Haves"

When driving to a destination, you see the sign that says "Scenic View" off the side of the highway. Do you stop? If you do, you may be an adventurer. Do you try different routes to known places, just to see where an unfamiliar road leads? If you do, you may be an adventurer. However, to be a true adventurer I believe you must also have the following items at all times:

In your car trunk and/or bag:
1. Work-out clothes (e.g. T-shirt and exercise tights)
2. A pair of sneakers with socks.
3. Water bottle or empty bottle to fill
4. Umbrella or rain poncho
5. Energy bar or nuts
6. Sunglasses
7. Cellphone capable of camera and GPS

Possession of these must haves will allow you to be able to stop and enjoy any interesting place you come upon (for a period in time), without being limited by what you don't have. People often ask me, how did you find that place? How do you find the time to travel so much? Answer: As much as possible, I try to travel in route to... or when returning from.

Always be prepared for the next adventure. Sometimes opportunities you were not expecting present themselves. Being equipped gives you the ability to stop at a place that peaks your interest or makes you want to take a walk or a quick hike when the day turns unexpectedly beautiful.

I always have supplies in my car. During the warm months I drive around with my bike in the car (covered up with a dark blanket) and cycling gear. Not knowing the course of my day, I sometimes can squeeze in an hour to ride my favorite bike path on my way home.

I also have my kayak ready for use at all times during the summer. I leave my life jacket, dry bag and paddle in my pickup truck. When I am finished work or other responsibilities, I can easily drive to my nearby river and paddle for an hour, sometimes right before sunset.

Make adventure accessible and easy to do. You don't always need a set plan or location. Be spontaneous, run with your whims or be a tourist in your own town. You'll be surprised by what you find.