when Charles burnt Carl's house for the snipe, "I just want to live my peaceful life and finish my old dream, why bother me with this boy, bird and dog? their appearance even made me have to accept the fact that my life-long idol is a lunatic jerk. why don't let me just stay undisturbed and die happily. i wish i had never met them." might be his inner sound. however, when he realized the adventure or the stuff that Ellie wanted to achieve was the normal life with him instead of the wild one of going to the fall, and he was encouraged by her to meet new friends and embark a new adventure in every-day life, i think it was the time when he truly understood the spirit of adventure. the spirit of adventure was never his lighthouse, Ellie was. fortunately, he was finally enlightened by her.

Carl, Russell's father and Charles were all drew into their obsessions, so they failed to see the nice things like an ice cream, counting red cars and everything that can make them feel satisfied and happy. however, these beautiful things are everywhere in their daily life, and they just looked down upon and didn't cherish them. when Carl gave Russell the badge, maybe being rewarded "the highest award that Carl (A powerless dying old man) can bestow", namely the Grape Soda, Ellie Badge, meant nothing to the world, couldn't bring the kid any economic benefits, couldn't bring him any social network benefits, but it still worthwhile. that is part of life, part of the ordinary nice things in life and part of the adventure. think about if the award is given by the famous Charles, maybe the kid might be much much more happier, how ironic. perhaps bill gates equals to my mom and dad, though i refuse to admit it now. whatever.