“a vacation spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.”
- – definition of a stayacation
The coronavirus has had a stifling effect one’s wanderlust, to say the least. And if your idea of adventure takes you beyond the four walls of your shelter, or the social distance of your domestic space, you need to be creative with your energy and imagination. And if you’re someone like Mario Rigby, who has walked across Africa and cycled across Canada, travel restrictions during the pandemic summer made exotic locales that much more unreachable.
Rigby’s philosophy of adventure doesn’t really need expansive terrain. In fact, he uses the term “domestic adventure” to characterize his 20-day kayak trip on Lake Ontario this summer (http://www.mariorigby.com/lakeontario.html) to raise funds for a Toronto non-profit and demonstrate that there’s plenty of space to explore on the Great Lakes — “to show people that you can have an adventure in your own backyard.”
Overcoming fear is central to Rigby’s drive to explore. Rigby, who recently addressed the Explorer’s Club of Canada, says “Fear is only an illusion. What are you really afraid of? Not knowing We have a fear of things because whatever it is we face is lacking in understanding or knowledge. I have fears…the way I overcome it is by putting logic, planning and execution together.
“For example, the fear of cold water: I know initially it will shock my body to jump into frigid cold water. However, I also know the incredible health benefits of plundering into cold water. It’s almost as if your nervous system is going on reset, relaxing your muscles. After a few seconds you become accustomed to the temperature and it begins to feel blissful. And, of course, the best part of it is when you’re out of the water and dry. You feel revitalized.
“Most people will do what makes them feel comfortable immediately, which in the long run can actually lead to further damages and injuries… like by not exercising or being active eventually your body uses more energy to do simple tasks making you even lazier.
Does that sound familiar?”
(Instagram: July 23)
“I’m always fascinated with exploration and the unknowns you’ll find along the way. When I kayaked along the lake today I kept imagining myself in a place of an indigenous person kayaking the length of this lake to explore new places to hunt, survive and thrive when they were free to roam. They must have felt awe the way I felt when the cool turquoise water splashed against my hands and the paddles slicing smoothly through the waters. The reflection of the clouds against the water made it seem like I was floating in the heavens. I felt as I always do on my expeditions, a sense of overwhelming gratitude just to have this experience alone.”
Rigby, who lives in Toronto, selects a personal challenge each year. This year he wanted to kayak all of the Great Lakes but didn’t have the time. So he selected his “neighborhood” water way, Lake Ontario: “It’s local, it’s home.” His journey was about 217 miles.
(Facebook: July 27)
“Curiosity is the drive to explore, it’s important to encourage and guide youth to explore their curiosity and lead them to a purposeful life greater than the one they grow up in.”
Rigby comes from an impoverished background and identifies with the barriers faced by people of color. His explorations are about promoting “inclusion in the outdoors.” His energy, enthusiasm, and mindful approach to discovery, as well as the idea of a “domestic adventure,” serve as a model for minority youth.
(Facebook: July 30)
“Being an explorer is not only just doing crazy adventures, but it’s also finding new perspectives of things and places we’re already familiar with.
“Paddling Lake Ontario gives me a chance to see my province in a new and different perspective. A few days ago I took a detour to visit Prince Edward County. And I was amazed by the nature-life there, sand banks, open farmland and beautiful beaches.
(Facebook: August 3)
“To be calm, is to be present, to be present is to be at peace, even amongst the chaos.”
Rigby finished his journey on August 8.
