Exploration and Adventure

John R York

May 11, 2026

Where To Look

I suppose most people think exploration requires traveling to remote, often hostile locations. Deserts, jungles, ocean depths, space, and South Detroit at night come to mind. I tend to associate exploration with adventure and discovery. Cinematic explorers, such as Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, Rick, O'Connell, and Jack Corbin, epitomize the Hollywood version of the intrepid adventurer. Okay - Jack Corbin is the hero in my book, Retribution. Well, it should be a movie.

Of course, there have been literally hundreds, maybe thousands, of notable, real-life explorers throughout human history. Cortez, Magellan, Zheng He, Erikson, and Armstrong were among those who boldly explored “where no man has gone before” (Star Trek).

Although I cannot claim to have discovered anything newsworthy, I have embarked on many adventures during my life. One of the best adventures involved starting a ranch and winery in San Diego County, California. Take a look at the documentary by clicking here.

Exploration is an inherent characteristic of human behavior. It is associated with survival, such as seeking food sources, safer environments, and advantageous territory. But we also do it to fulfill our innate curiosity. Exploration isn’t always about physical space, though. For the less adventurous, the desire to explore is redirected into science, art, music, spirituality, or entertainment.

Consequences

As you probably know, exploration is rarely neutral. Exploring means entering spaces already occupied by ecosystems, animals, and very often by other people. What looks like “discovery” from one perspective is "intrusion" from another. History is riddled with examples of exploration/invasion that ultimately resulted in violence, displacement, and destruction. This is due to our inherent desire to dominate the discovered.

It’s not all bad news, though. At its best, exploration expands what we know, what we can do, and who we think we are. Fortunately, exploration today is increasingly guided by ethics and awareness – unless it is motivated by commercial greed. Okay – there is still a lot of that.

We’re running out of geographical places to explore, but there are still the oceans and space. Okay – there are protected forests, and rivers, and open spaces that are in danger of being cut down, polluted, and scarred from big corporations salivating at the opportunity to pillage our planet's natural resources. And the oceans are still vulnerable. Come to think of it, there’s a lot of human-made junk floating around in orbit around our planet.

You Can Explore

Let’s focus on some good news. There are still plenty of exploration opportunities for you and me. You just have to use your imagination and get off your chair.

After living in our current home for over three years, I realized there were about three-quarters of an acre that I had never seen. We live in a preserve. You can only see a short distance through the thick forest that looms behind our back fence. When I finally made the short trek, I discovered a very different world. I found and followed game trails until I realized I was not properly dressed or equipped for continuing. It was admittedly a small exploration, yet fun and interesting.

If you prefer to stay in your chair, there is still an excellent alternative for exploring and discovering. Books allow you to explore places you might otherwise never go. If you don’t typically read a book, you can listen to one.

I’m listening to the Hail Mary Project right now, and it’s a really good adventure. Listening to the audiobook version in my car is easy. The story takes me on an exploratory adventure in another solar system where we make first contact with another lifeform! The next adventure in my queue is Hunting the Falcon, about Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Get it? You can journey back in time.

If I do say to myself, my novels are good candidates for your consideration. Adventures, mystery, suspense, love, betrayal – lots of trips to faraway places with compelling characters to meet and get to know. In fact, while you’re here in My Blog, go check out what I’ve got. Here’s my library …..

Remember, life is precious. Live each day to its fullest.