Engage: The Heart of Travel
One of my favorite places to stop and just take in the whole majesty of the mountains!
Travel is more than just movement—it’s about connection.
It’s easy to get caught up in checking places off a bucket list, rushing from one landmark to the next, snapping a quick photo, and moving on. But the real magic happens when we engage—with the place, the people, the moment.
Some of my favorite travel memories aren’t just about where I was, but how deeply I was present. Like the time my friend and I road-tripped through the national parks, stopping every few minutes to take photos—not just of the grand landscapes, but of the tiniest details: flowers, bees, each other for that perfect Instagram post. But then there were the moments that weren’t planned—the ones that weren’t about the perfect shot, but about truly experiencing the world around us.
Like drinking straight from a mountain stream in Glacier National Park, so ice-cold and fresh that I swear I could taste the wildness of the land itself. Or the evening we sat on a wooden swing outside our lodge near the Tetons, deep in conversation about what was next, only to look up and see a bear walking right in front of us—mercifully on the other side of the stream! We froze, half in awe, half questioning every life choice that had led us to this exact moment. And then, just as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared into the trees, leaving behind the lingering realization that we were truly in the wilderness. (Thankfully, both the glacial water and the bear made it onto the camera roll—though just barely in the bear’s case.)
The Gift of Presence
These are the moments that remind me: Engaging in travel isn’t just about where you go, but how open you are to experiencing it.
I’ve learned that engaging fully doesn’t mean doing more—it means being more present. Sometimes that looks like laughing with a friend while snapping ridiculous photos of wildflowers. Sometimes it means stepping back from the itinerary to breathe in the crisp air and feel the enormity of nature. And sometimes it’s about engaging with the One who created it all.
There’s something about standing beneath a towering mountain range or gazing at a star-filled sky that makes you realize how small you are—and how deeply known you are at the same time. God’s presence feels so tangible in those moments, as if creation itself is whispering, Look around. I made this. And I made you, too.
And it’s not just in the grand landscapes. I’ve felt that same presence in the laughter of strangers-turned-friends, in the warmth of a shared meal with locals, in the kindness of a guide who goes the extra mile. Travel isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about witnessing God’s handiwork in people, in cultures, in the unexpected connections that remind us how much bigger this world is than our own little corner of it.
Engaging With the World Around You
Whether you're hiking through a national park, wandering through a local market, or simply watching a sunset, engaging means being present. Here are a few ways to deepen your connection while traveling:
Talk to the locals. Ask about their favorite spots, their traditions, their stories. You’ll gain a richer perspective than any guidebook could offer.
Put the camera down (sometimes). Snap the photo, sure—but also take a deep breath and just absorb the view.
Savor the food. Don’t just eat—engage. Learn where the dish comes from, what makes it special, why it’s part of the culture.
Try something new. Whether it’s kayaking for the first time or learning a few words in a new language, engaging means stepping into the experience, not just observing it.
How Wellspring Travels Helps You Engage
At Wellspring Travels, engaging with the world is at the heart of everything we do. This space is meant to build a community of explorers—people who don’t just want to see the world, but experience it more deeply.
That’s why we’re creating resources to help travelers:
Connect with the cultures they visit—through travel etiquette tips, meaningful ways to interact with locals, and learning how to travel with respect and awareness.
Reflect on their experiences—through thought-provoking questions and travel journaling prompts that go beyond “where did you go” to “how did this trip change you?”
Engage in meaningful conversations—whether through faith-based reflections on travel or simply sharing stories of adventure, wonder, and growth.
Travel is an Invitation
At its core, engaging with travel is about saying yes—to the moment, to the people, to the experience.
So, whether you’re sipping coffee at a sidewalk café in Paris, hiking through the Rockies, or simply watching the world go by from a train window—be there. Fully.
And if you’re someone who’s already experienced this kind of connection, I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment below—what’s a moment in your travels when you felt completely engaged in the experience?
Travel Well,
Some of my favorite engagements consist of conversations with a friend while hiking in nature.
