An inheritance of experience
Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 06:31AM Recent research from San Francisco State University found that people who spent money on experiences rather than material items were happier and felt the money was better spent. The thrill of purchasing things fades quickly but the joy and memories of experiences, from epic adventures to minute encounters, can last a lifetime. Pozin, The Secret to Happiness?, Forbes, Mar 3, 2016.
Wall Drug, 2011
I will never be able to leave my grandchildren a large financial inheritance. No trust fund babies in this family. But what I do hope they will inherit is a taste for adventure, a love of travel, and the courage to try new foods and experiences.
For the past eight years, since the youngest of the two boys was five, I've had the good fortune to take them on a trip each year. We've hiked Black Elk Peak (then Harney Peak) in the Black Hills, visited Mayan Ruins in Mexico, ridden roller coasters in Six Flags over St Louis, seen Broadway Plays in New York, hiked to the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, ridden the Ducks in the Wisconsin Dells, and visited the depths of the Soudan Mine on the Iron Range of Minnesota. Hikes, caves, and bike rides usually figure somewhere into the vacation. Very little relaxing on a beach.
This year, Paul's senior year of high school, I decided needed to be a special trip so we spent a week in Costa Rica - high adventure combined with ecotouring. A few pictures...
Class III and IV whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River near Turrialba.
Eating iguana at the Pacuare River Lodge where we slept in casitas resembling screen porches.
Zip lining near the Arenal volcano. Miles was a champion on all 13 that stretched high above the rainforest.
The Tarzan swing. Scarier than it looks. Of the dozen or more people in our zip lining group, only two had the nerve to swing.
Waterfall rappelling (and something called the Monkey Drop) took skill and courage. Again, both boys were amazing.
A hike on the Mistico hanging bridges near Arenal volcano gave us our first glimpses of sloths, butterfiles, amazing birds, reptiles, monkeys, frogs, and coati. Evenings spend soaking in thermal springs.
Snorkelling near Manuel Antonio Park the day after visiting the busy park itself and taking a night boat tour of nearby mangrove swamps.
Grandpa, of course, was a calm and steady influence for the whole trip...
I hope that
- the boys will work to make sure their grandchildren have the chance to visit beautiful wild places like Costa Rica.
- they understand you cannot ask someone to do something, you are not willing to do yourself.
- they learn age should not define what one can and cannot do.
- they realize experiences, more than things, are the source of happiness in one's life.
- they want to go on more trips with me.
Oh, I did the Tarzan Swing as well. I was only screaming in imitation of Tarzan. Or maybe Jane. Or Cheetah.
Reader Comments (2)
Your grandchildren are very lucky to have you. What amazing experiences and memories you are creating with them!
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for the comment. I would say I am the lucky one here!
All the best,
Doug