What is an adventure?

So Joe posted up on the CSC blog yesterday about some labor riots that are going on down in Baja (http://californiascooterco.com/blog/?p=15692).  He said that in his 21 years of riding down in Baja he's never seen anything like this, but still that's a pretty intimidating thing to happen!  He and his wife were in their car, but it makes you wonder what would have/could have happened had they been on a bike/bikes?  I'd prefer to not think about it and just say that everything would have worked out the same as it did for them, but I'm also a "glass is half full" kinda chick. 

Anywho, in his update today (http://californiascooterco.com/blog/?p=15720) he ended his blog with a question to the riders...

"Do you folks still want the Inaugural Run to be through Baja (with a diversion around San Quintin), or would you rather do a 4 or 5 day ride through the American Southwest, hitting spots we select from places like the Pacific Coast Highway, California’s Sequoia National Park, Laughlin, the Grand Canyon, Zion, and maybe Bisbee?  I’m okay either way, so let’s hear your thoughts, all you future RX3 riders!"

I commented and said I hope the riots end soon as I've been dreaming of this Baja ride, but it sparked a question in my mind... What is the definition of an adventure and how far do you push it?

People have been traveling to war-torn countries for decades for mission trips, peace work, humanitarian efforts, or simply for personal travel.  It's inevitable that if you travel often enough that you will come upon some kind of civil unrest somewhere.  So... knowing this, do you continue with your plans to ride into a place where emotions are high and the tension could spark a riot if the wrong words are spoken or action is made?  How important is it to push forward with the adventure?

To me, adventure is just that... it's things going right, things going wrong, and having a story to tell about the trip.  Sure, when everything falls into place and a trip goes off without a hitch, it's wonderful, but sometimes the stories mean so much more when you are pushed and have to overcome obstacles.  I'm not saying that riding into a riot and putting yourself at personal risk is the right answer, but when/where do you draw that line?

I think either trip would be amazing, although, I'm definitely voting for the Baja trip as long as we can either detour around San Quintin if the riots are still going on or if tensions have subsided and things have calmed down.  I think it's too early to say if the Baja trip should be ruled out, but I understand Joe's concern about the wellbeing of the group.  I mean, it has been almost my entire life since I've been back to Sequoia National Park (where my parents took me on many camping trips when I was younger) and I've got the Pacific Coast Highway on my list of roads to ride on a motorcycle in the US... so it would definitely be hitting spots I've been aching to see.  I guess I'm fine with whatever the outcome is decided upon because if I wasn't, I would definitely be going against my entire opinion on what an adventure is and would just be a hypocrite!  :-)

Only time will tell and Joe and the team at CSC have my full support for whatever they decide!  I know they'll use their best judgement to keep everyone's safety the top priority while also planning an awesome inaugural adventure! 

To end, "Have a great trip in Baja, Joe and Susie!  I look forward to more updates and hope that things stay relatively calm for y'all!"