On this day in 1492, with a $67,000 endowment from Queen Isabella, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) set sail a half hour before sunrise from Palos, Spain on the voyage that would take him to the New World.

"Almighty God will take care of everything," said Columbus who formulated the "great idea" that sailing west would be easier and faster than sailing around Africa.

Bold ideas, not quite accurate, but as philosopher R. Buckminster Fuller once recommended, "Dare to be naive."

Born Cristoforo Colombo in Genoa, Italy, Columbus had a passion for the sea at an early age. Inspired by the travels of Marco Polo, he dreamed of great discoveries and bold adventures.

"Along this track of pathless ocean," the confident explorer said, "it is my intention to steer."

With three ships, Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria and a crew of 90 men, Columbus headed for where he believed was India, but ended up in the Bahamas. He planted the Spanish banner in the sand of San Salvador and sparked The Age of Discovery for European explorers. It was a time of adventure and bravery.

"With God's help," he wrote in his log, "I shall persevere."

From the Caribbean, Columbus wrote his family that his discovery was "a land to be desired, and once seen never to be left."

Your Age of Discovery is now.