Think back for a moment to your childhood. What were a few of your favorite memories? Where was your favorite place to go to? Does playing hide-n-seek with the neighbors, chasing after the ice cream truck, climbing trees, playing catch with the family pup at all sound a bit familiar? For the majority of today’s adults, their favorite memory was doing an activity outside engaged with others.
Now, think back to the last time you did anything similar? With our busy lives having midterms around every corner, the thought of setting aside some time to take for ourselves can seem overwhelming. But when did doing something for ourselves become such a burden? Instead of adding a little adventure into our routine we tend to spend every waking moment of free time secluding ourselves in our bedroom, interfacing with technology rather than the natural world. Time to pause Netflix, quit scrolling down Instagram’s newsfeed, and checking out peoples snapchat stories. Time to do something for YOU.
5 Reasons to Take More Adventure Days
We grow and become our best selves when we take advantage of new adventures. If that isn’t motivation enough, check out five things you should know about embracing a new experience:
- We rarely try something new…
As human beings we default to the familiar. Why would we want to seek new adventures when what we’re doing is so comfortable? In fact, even when we get that little inkling that we should try something new, our minds quickly shut it down. Approximately 42 percent of Americans can’t remember the last time they attempted adventure.
- New experiences are at the top of our bucket lists.
If you were to name the top 10 things on your bucket list how many of them have to do with doing the same ole’ same ole. No, your bucket list has new adventures! Maybe it includes: backpacking through the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, camping in the deserts of Anza Borrego, climbing magnificent boulders at Joshua Tree’s, canoeing through the Colorado River, or white water rafting Class III and Class IV rapids?!
- Sharing our adventures with others makes them more enjoyable.
Not only is it important to seize new adventures, you should also share those experiences with others. Studies show that those who engage in a positive activity with a pal experience a more amplified enjoyment from the event. Skydiving, anyone?
- New experiences make us happier.
Shall I say more?
- New experiences can change how we view time.
Think about it: How many times have we just “rolled through the motions” only to realize that Wow! Christmas is in a few weeks! When we embrace new adventures, we’re interrupting our everyday flow — in the best possible way. Time will be of more value and opportunity to make the most of it.
Since 1977, AZTEC ADVENTURES has been providing the SDSU community with leadership, education, adventure and culture. We are managed by the Associated Students, Aztec Recreation division and our offices are located within the Aztec Recreation Center.
AZTEC ADVENTURES provides the SDSU community with opportunities to experience outdoor challenges that aim to promote personal growth, health and wellness, leadership, relationship building and environmental responsibility.
https://arc.sdsu.edu/aztecadventures/outings/
This month’s featured adventure: Cave exploring, hot spring and hiking exploration Anza Borrego.
Anza Borrego Desert State Park is one of the best kept secrets in Southern California. Awaiting our group of explorers is a series of underground passageways and caves located in the center of the Carrizo 
Badlands that snake their way through hillsides and desolate washes. In addition our campground maintains some soothing hot springs and nearby trails lead to kumeyaay pictographs and morteros. The unique desert landscape and vegetation make for a mysterious and magical environment in which to camp. This trip offers a 3 day, 2 night camping experience that is perfect for those with little experience.
This is our recommended trip for those who are just getting their feet wet into the adventure world. Because we are camping relatively close to the cars, we are not required to carry all belongs with us when we do the activities. Not much gear is needed for hikes, which is one of the main differences between our more active backpacking trips.
ACTIVITES:
Now let’s talk about all the incredible excursions that you will experien
ce. Because there are so many places to see and things to do, our trip leaders leave it up to the explorers in what they what to do most. Romping around the desert, exploring mud caves, hiking to historical landmarks, eating awesome food and relaxing in a hot spring to top off the day!
Some of the other activities include:
- Exploring Indian cave paintings
- Hikes to the mud caves
- Off-roading to get to and back camp site
- Night hikes to overlooking spectacular views of the desert and night sky
- Waterfall exploring
- Camp fire bonding
GET TO KNOW Aztec Adventures STAFF:
Aztec Adventures provides a
rea knowledge and points of interest. The staff is Wilderness and First Aid Certified and full of nature loving, positive, outgoing people full of enthusiasm.
When asked one of our primary trip leaders Chad Larrieu what his favorite part is he responded, “Going through the mud caves FERSURE! Entrance is no wider than your shoulders, and then the landscape transforms into arch waves and skylights. In other words, it’s basically really awesome holes in the ceiling. But they best part?! It is all made of water!!”
Chad also encourages 
the explorers to get up early before the sun rises to take a little hike to the overlook spot to see the dawn break just over the desert.
“My most embarrassing moment on this trip: I was so engaged in a story I was telling and didn’t see where I was stepping; I literally slipped and fell by the Morteo Palms in front of all the trip members. Good thing there is a thick layer of palm fronds that LITERALLY had my back.”
EXPERIENCE IT:
Some of our past explorers have stated:
“Trip was great. I really enjoyed the freedom to continue on into difficult parts of the caves.”
“Loved everything! Glad we got the opportunity to go up to the caves. Never done anything like this. Definitely would love to go back!”
“Very fun, I loved the opportunity of gauging my endurance and coordination. I liked the trip to the waterfall.”
“Getting to leave your dusty footprints in 10,000 year old mud caves, eating healthy organic meals that come included, and having all the planning and preparation done for you, desert camping just doesn’t get any better than this!” – Chad Larrieu.
So what are you waiting for? Experience it.
Article by: Reyanne Mustafa
Being an Aztec Recreation member, you get access to take 1 unit credit classes with some of the most funky inspirational teachers. ENS 139 –Beginning Rock Climbing is an 8 week class with optional outdoor climbing field trips. Worried about getting bored of the same old routes? Route setters can move holds easily, creating an endless number of fresh new climbs continually pushing you to your limits. Along with building a new network of friends, this class not only teaches you all the basic information needed to start climbing but may make you fall in love with the sport.
ep your current low student membership rate here at Aztec Recreation each month. Instead of paying the normal membership rate of $39 a month, you get to KEEP your current LOW student rate. Don’t miss out on your chance to keep these rates the same. No hidden fees no hassles .
Aztec Recreation 