What is travel, anyway?

Most people think of "travel" as something dramatic. They see it as going to far-off lands, distant places. As an exotic adventure. It's seen as something that most of us dream of, yearn for - and likely never get to experience.

I see travel as something a little simpler, though. It's not always about going halfway around the world on a grand adventure. In fact, it can be as easy as embracing your own locale. Maybe you can't afford a trip to Europe. Odds are, though, that you can afford a day trip to nearby city to go to that art museum you've heard so much about, or to the theater for a ballet that's only going to be in town for a few nights.

While I was living with my grandmother in California, I was limited as to how far I could travel. Due to her health problems, I needed to stay within a couple hours of home, in case something happened. However, that didn't stop me from grabbing my cameras and driving to San Diego, or a little ways up the coast for a day of sightseeing and photography.

La Jolla, California. 

Sometimes I'd go by myself, and other times I'd go with a friend. I'm lucky enough to have some great friends in California who've also embraced the sheer joy of going out and doing things. Danielle and I hit up almost every aquarium in Southern California, sometimes together, and sometimes solo. 

 Scripps Aquarium in La Jolla, CA

 Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA

  Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA

I have great memories of the time I spent exploring the area when I was living in Southern California. And after all, isn't exploration the true heart of travel?