100 Adventures

A few weeks ago, when Larry Miller was released from his two-month hospital ordeal, he and his wife and son held a news conference at the Energy Solutions Arena in SLC. A number of topics were discussed including ordering priorities so that family actually comes first in practice and not just in lip-service. Larry’s near-death experiences made him realize that he had spent entirely too much of his life working, and too little time engaged in enriching family experiences. Larry’s son shared a promise that he had made to his own son to have 100 “adventures” together with him during this year. This idea of “adventures” caught my attention and fired my imagination.

“What a great idea!” I thought. “My Knight in Rusting Armor [or, rather, my Rusting Knight] and I should do that!” Then, with some quick math I realized that 100 adventures in a year meant about two adventures per week. Considering our ages and waning energy levels two adventures per week seemed awfully over-optimistic. So, I whittled it down to a more reasonable one per week, or about fifty adventures. I got out a pad of paper and a pen, intending to start writing down potential adventures. I then experienced an immediate and overwhelming need for a nap [see napping photo below].

After the nap, I thought maybe 24 adventures a year would be a more manageable number. . . . Or maybe just 12. . . . Or . . . . At the rate I was going, in no time I would have the list whittled down to maybe one adventure per year. With the emphasis on the maybe. I put the "list" aside to think about later.

So, now it is one month later. Time flies even when you aren't having fun. And I am happy to report that today I forced myself to schedule our first adventure for next Thursday, September 11. And knowing how easily I forget or become too tired to do something that sounded fun last week, but now sounds odious, I selected an adventure that required payment of money. Now that it is paid for, we will surely go.

This particular adventure is a theatre production written by Marvin Payne and Steven Kapp Perry, called “Wedlocked.” It is being performed in Provo. We got tickets for $7 each. The show will undoubtedly be unapologetically schlocky and I will come away rolling my eyes and shaking my head. So, before next Thursday, I will have to schedule the next adventure so that I don’t become disgusted and throw in the towel on having further adventures.

In case you are interested, my potential [*YAWN!*] "adventure" list (so far) includes the following:
1. Heber Valley Girl’s camp
2. Soldier Hollow tubing (winter)
3. Hike: Bridal Veil Falls (up to the mists at base of falls)
4. Hike: Twin Lakes
5. Bike
6. Thanksgiving Point Gardens
7. Christmas lights on Temple Square
8. Corn maze
9. Miniature golf (800 North)
10. BYU Planetarium
11. Sundance ski lift ride to see fall colors
12. Provo Canyon Limited (Vivian Park Train ride 11 a.m.)
13. Camp Floyd Day Sept 27 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As I was picturing some of the above "adventures," I thought they’d definitely be more fun with extended family. If you can think of any adventures to add to my list please share. And if you can think of adventures that you might like to DO with extended family, please share those too. Incidentally, Jen and Andy and kids did adventure number 3 (above) last Saturday morning. The Knight and I were not feeling adventurous enough to go with them, but after they reported that the trail wasn’t difficult, I am now looking forward to doing it too. Maybe this Saturday . . . .