The Itch to Know What's There

While reading the Lost City of Z by David Grann  (note: I haven't seen the movie yet) I came across this quote from an unnamed member of the Royal Geographical Society.
Explorers are not, perhaps, the most promising people with whom to build a society1. Indeed, some might say that explorers become explorers precisely because they have a streak of unsociability and need to remove themselves at regular intervals as far as possible from their fellow men.
I understand this. I may or may not have a streak of unsociability. But I do like to get away every now and then to wander around and look at things. The extremes and privations that Percy Fawcett (historical protagonist of The Lost City of Z) and his kind suffered appeal to me not at all. But I know that itch to get away from the most comfortable of creature comforts just to see what's there.

Seeing what lies in the lesser trammeled parts of the world is my major motivation behind my jaunts, mostly to the Badlands. But I also jaunt because the creature comforts are just that much more luxurious when you return to them. The soft bed, the hot running water, the ability to cook a meal easily and quickly seem almost miraculous after  a few days primitive camping. One of my favorite moments of camping is to step into a hot shower upon my return.

I've mentioned before that travel to exotic places is not a prerequisite to be an explorer. Even in the lap of comparative luxury known as my every day life, I will still get outside to look at things. In fact, I often will take my afternoon break, phone camera in hand, wandering the grounds looking for things to watch and photograph. Below are a few examples of what I observed the past few days. While none of these photos will win me an award they are nevertheless satisfying since they document what's there, scratching that explorer's itch.

Sept 6, 2019. Tiny bee on a black eyed Susan planted in our pollinator garden.


Sept 5, 2019 Bull snake just chilling (probably literally) under a leaky drain pipe.

Sept 5, 2019 Honey bee in flight. Good to see the pollinator garden attracting many types of pollinators.

1. Editor's note. I think here society means an organization although maybe it means the broader human connection as well?

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