Uncle Louie’s Fantastic Sea Voyage was one of my favorite books growing up.
Spoiler alert: The main story involves a boy who is supposed to stay at his uncle’s house for the weekend. The uncle, however, is intent on going to Africa (They live in Denmark). The boy sneaks aboard the boat and they shipwreck on what they believe to be the continent of Africa. All the evidence points to it… especially the animals. But there is one odd thing: They’ve not been sailing long enough to be in Africa. When daybreak comes, they realize they are in the middle of the Africa exhibit at their local zoo.
Is this a story of disappointment or hope?
I suppose you could read it as a story of disappointment: They never made it to Africa. But you could also read it as a story of hope: sometimes you don’t have to travel very far for your greatest adventure.
What adventures are awaiting you right in your own backyard? What grand trips are less than 50 miles from where you live? What exotic animals can be found close by? What amazing people are a short car trip away? And what is literally in your own backyard?
Go have an adventure there.
And by “there” I mean here.