You Don’t Have to Go Far to Explore More

When I was in high school, one of my close friends was a German exchange student. When it came time for her to head home, we threw her a going-away party. At some point during the party, I told her how badly I wanted to visit Europe and how I’d come see her someday.

She smiled and said that would be great.

Then she added something I wasn’t expecting.

She said Americans live in one of the most geographically diverse countries in the world, and she never really understood why we’re always dreaming about going somewhere else when there’s so much beauty right here.

That comment stuck with me. A lot.

A Shift in Perspective: Stop Wishing You Were Somewhere Else

At the time, I didn’t have a clever response. But her comment planted a seed.

It was a little convicting, honestly. It made me realize how often I was mentally somewhere else—dreaming about the next big trip or far-off destination—while overlooking what was right in front of me. 

I've spent most of my life just living in the waiting instead of being present and enjoying the here and now. Saying I'd move to the mountains after high school then college then post college and I'm still here in Texas. 

That realization led to a simple but powerful question:

What if I stopped wishing I was somewhere else and started fully enjoying where I already was?

That mindset shift became part of the reason I started ExploreMore. I wanted to train myself—and eventually others—to see local places as worthy of attention. To appreciate the small trail in my hometown just as much as the iconic destinations we’re told are “worth it.”

Because exploration doesn’t have to mean far away. Sometimes it just means paying attention.

Why Local Exploration Matters More Than We Think

To be clear—I still want to visit Europe someday but I also want to enjoy what’s closer to home:

• the quiet familiarity of my local trail

• the surreal landscapes of Southern Utah

• the strength and scale of the Rockies

• the stories woven into the Appalachian Trail

• the calm, moody beauty of the Puget Sound

These places don’t require a passport. They just require presence.

One of my most memorable outdoor experiences was a guided backpacking trip in the Wyoming wilderness. What made it unforgettable wasn’t just how remote it was (although we were deep in the wilderness at times)—it was how present I felt while I was there.

That experience reinforced something I keep coming back to:

The depth of an experience isn’t measured by distance. It’s measured by attention.

Beauty Is Everywhere (Even Where You Live)

No matter where you live, there is beauty around you.

Even if it’s small.
Even if it’s familiar.
Even if you’ve driven past it a hundred times.

A neighborhood trail.
A city park.
A stretch of sidewalk that catches the sunset just right.

These places matter. They shape us. And they’re often the easiest places to return to when life feels busy or overwhelming.

This belief is woven into everything we build at ExploreMore—from our Daily Quests (small, doable prompts that encourage getting outside today) to our adventure cards and local challenges inside the ExploreMore app.

You Can Always Explore More — Right Where You Are

You don’t have to wait for “someday.”
You don’t need perfect plans, perfect gear, or a bucket-list destination.

You can explore more today—right where you are.

That philosophy also extends into our educational programs, like the Nature Yoga Certification, where we teach instructors and outdoor leaders how to create meaningful, grounded experiences in everyday natural spaces—not just epic locations.

Because nature doesn’t need to be far away to be powerful.
And exploration doesn’t need to be extreme to be meaningful.

So today, I hope you find a moment to step outside and see your surroundings with fresh eyes. Not because you should, but because there’s something worth noticing out there.

Nature’s calling — no subscription required.