Traveling? Dont forget your c.o.r.n!
Being in the military, Mrs. Vertakking and I can’t help but create acronyms for things. Being able to smash a bunch of words together and make it understandable helps us remember, and it is fun to use. So when we are planning an adventure, or a trip, we like to say, “Don’t forget the corn!”
Let’s begin with why we are bringing CORN on our trips. Have you ever been on a whirlwind vacation and felt more tired after you got back than when you started? We definitely have, especially in the early days of vacations together where it seemed like we jetted from one activity to the next. What we have found as our planning skills and rhythms of trips have become more seasoned, is the vacations where we had the most fun had certain aspects, which we creatively summarized as CORN. So without further ado, here is what CORN is and why to bring it on your trips!
So what does C.O.R.N mean?
C: Crazy
Identify whatever is crazy for you…something that can get your adrenaline flowing. If that means jumping out of a plane or zip-lining, go for it! If eating spicy food gets your heart beating, then give that a shot. You can book this portion on the front or the back end of your trip, depending on how difficult scheduling is and how mobile or non-mobile you will be: for example, maybe my paragliding location is on the way back home, or alligator kayaking needs to happen while we are inland in Florida before reaching the coast. Nothing makes you feel more alive than being close to dying (Pro tip: don’t actually die).
O: Observe culture
Part of getting out of your normal routine and traveling to a new place is experiencing new people and new cultures. Nothing gets my goat more than being in a magnificent city in South Korea or the Czech Republic and having people in your group want to go to the most American sports bar you’ve ever seen. Being homesick is understandable, but don’t make comfortable settings, food, or people who look & act like you a major part of your trip. Try to book this portion of your trip on the front end so that you can truly immerse into the change of pace & culture. This technique even works in the United States, as the local cuisine, events, and culture can vary by state. You can also take this time to learn something, i.e. museums, art galleries, or even a concert in the park can be enough “culture” to hit this step. When we visit a new location, we try to make time to peruse the Visitor Center or get a tour prior to our backcountry or inner city adventures. This way we learn so much about what to expect and how to experience your adventure through new eyes.
R: Relax day!
This one is difficult for some and not for others. Having a day or two of completely zero scheduled events helps not only wind down from our over-scheduled lives anyway, but it can also allow you to hit the “O” (Observe) portion of your trip if you haven’t gotten there yet. It also gives you a buffer if inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances delayed your “C” (Crazy) event. Conditions must be perfect for skydiving, so having a Relax day tacked on allowed us to still make it work. Or with scuba diving, you cannot fly 24 hours after diving (because of built-up nitrogen), so you are forced to have a Relax day. Try to book this portion near the end of your trip. By taking the day off, you can act more like a local and have spontaneity that many people are lacking when their vacation is packed to the gills with activity. You can sit on the beach, read a book, take a short walk through the woods, or maybe just sit on a rock at lunch resting between mountain peaks.
N: Nature
This portion can be mixed in with any of the above ingredients, (the CORe of your adventure) but is absolutely essential. Having nature incorporated into your trip makes you appreciate the subtle nuances of the area you are in, from a relaxing walk through a semi-forested neighborhood to a gut-wrenching shark dive. The nature part can also be a time to give back to the area you are visiting. When hiking, pick up litter along the way. Consider joining an hour-long beach clean-up or invasive species removal.
“Leave it better than you found it.”
—Robert Baden-Powell
In our duo trips, we like to experience nature every day, or as a central theme of the trip (National Parks). It helps us slow down and be present, especially when you can enjoy the small things even while soaking in the magnificent, giant vistas. Try to book this as frequently as you’d like. It can be a few minutes a day or an entire week in the backcountry. One of my favorite “Nature” things on trips is learning the new plants, animals and/or birds in the area. Then it becomes a fun scavenger hunt to identify them! Even if you are going to a big city, there are amazing parks you can walk through and just soak up the sunshine!
