What was the biggest adventure in your life? When was it, who was with you, and where was it? Because whatever you think was your biggest adventure made you...you!
While I've been fortunate to have had many adventures, a trip to Africa was our most adventurous. My wife and I booked a two-week African Photography Safari in Kenya in the late 1980s. After a very long flight, we spent our first night in a wonderful old English hotel in downtown Nairobi, which was the Gentlemen's Club in its heyday. The staff maintained the same style of uniforms over the last 100 years. It was like stepping back into a time capsule when Kenya was part of the British Empire.
Into the Wild
Our transport van picked us up the following day to take us to our camp. During the dangerous drive on the "Road to Mombasa," already known for notorious accidents with people and wild animals, we yielded to massive trucks encroaching the entire road. It was a real nail-biter! We were pleasantly surprised at the "camp" accommodations of stone treehouses about 25 feet off the ground overlooking a large watering hole. Our treehouse was complete with a bedroom, bath, and shower. There were rope bridges connecting us to the dining room, and a drawbridge was raised each night to keep predator animals from accessing us. It was right out of a Rudyard Kipling jungle book!
We awoke each morning at 5:00 am for a "game drive" and an additional game drive in the late afternoon. I was so pleased that I had invested in a new camera with a 400-zoom lens and was rewarded with many incredible photos we still enjoy today!
Our safari brought different animals and challenges. One particular day, an armed game warden accompanied us as we looked for lions. Our guide drove the 4x4 jeep with protective sides into a highly dense growth area with tall grass but no trees. He told us to stay in the truck but asked, "How many lions could we see?" No one in our party could see lions, but as an experienced hunter, I looked for tell-tale signs. I had my wife lean into me so I could whisper to her. I saw three and pointed to where I saw tails swishing the tall grass. The guide was surprised and let me know I had a good eye. Then he pointed to at least a dozen lions surrounding the truck hidden in the tall grass, only 10 to 15 yards away!
We enjoyed sunsets at camp as the animals came to the watering hole for a drink. Zebras and ostriches partnered, taking turns with lookout duty. Ostriches have excellent eyesight, and zebras have great hearing. So, there was a mutual goal of survival.
The natural beauty of Kenya and its wild elephant herds, birds, troops of baboons, giraffes, and even a sighting of the rare Secretary bird (the largest bird in Africa) were spectacular. Finally, on our last night, a pride of lions took over the watering hole, and as we tried to go to sleep, the male's roar shook us awake as if there had been an earthquake. A memorable and incredible big adventure, indeed.
Remember your biggest adventure? Whatever it was, it made you...you!
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's African safari story really got me thinking about how our adventures shape who we become, and that's especially true when it comes to retirement planning. Most people are surprised when they learn this, but the biggest adventure many folks will face is actually retirement itself. Think of it this way: just like David prepared for his Kenya trip with the right camera equipment and research, preparing for retirement takes the same kind of thoughtful planning and the right tools.
A lot of people ask me, "When should I start planning my retirement adventure?" The answer is simple: the earlier you start, the more options you'll have. Whether you're looking at 401k contributions, IRA rollovers, or Social Security benefits, each decision you make today shapes your retirement story tomorrow. Here in Arizona, I see retirees who planned ahead living their own adventures, from traveling the world to pursuing hobbies they never had time for during their working years.
Just like those zebras and ostriches working together at the watering hole, your retirement plan works best when all the pieces support each other. A little preparation today can make your retirement adventure everything you want it to be.