LOOKING BACK — Backyard Safari -Adventures at Home - Art MacKay 1959

I suspect that the National Geographic magazine is a major source of frustration to the young adult who is just becoming firmly entrenched in the binding responsibilities of life.

Well thumbed stacks of this magazine in the reading room of our high school library introduced many of us young folks to adventures on the high seas, safaris to Africa, discovery of primitive tribes in deep jungles, and glimpses at every aspect of life on this planet. Each adventure we felt, was well within our potential and someday, we too would go to the Arctic or sail in the Caribbean.

But, somehow, without his even noticing it, we jumped into the midst of life, got married, raised children and ended up in a responsible job. The possibility of an adventure no longer seemed to exist — and the budget couldn’t stand it anyway. So, most of us settled back with their back issues of National Geographic and their dreams.

But the point is missed. We may not be able to travel the world in the same manner as contributors to the National Geographic, but this does not preclude our learning more and enjoying the same fascination with the world in our backyard. The Waura Indians of Brazil, the residents of Baghdad or the Fon of Bafut must all view their surroundings as familiar. But familiarity is dulling and…