Trip planning has always been a hobby of mine. Reading up on new places and discovering new things to see occupies my mind and takes me to a place of happiness. I am nomadic in nature. I am not one to sit still for long. If I have a free day I want to use it fully. Engaged in something, discovering something new, seeing a new place, learning about something I have not learned about before, reading about something I hope to see, or watching documentaries in the hope to learn or see and hope to do.
Knowing this, the pandemic has been hard for me. I have spent days planning the where and why and how as soon as the restrictions lift and I am free to experience what is out there. Fortunately, that day is coming (soon) and I am in the midst of planning.
My daughter and I have 2 trips planned coming up, and our family has another in the works this summer. If things continue to go as planned there is a potential for one to Rome next year and that makes me super excited provided the world doesn’t turn on its side between now and then.
Addie and I are returning to Phoenix over spring break. My mom lives there in the winter and just the welcome reprieve of new scenery, sunshine and the promise of warmer temperatures is enough to motivate me to buy those airline tickets. We have been there before, but Addie does not remember the Grand Canyon. She was only 18 months old when we last went so that was definitely on the list. We heard that Wickenburg has also opened up, the old mining town with its settlers house and mine offers the promise of new things to discover and learn about. I look forward to it. We also plan to walk the complex, sit on the patio, maybe hit a golf ball or two and cruise the streets in the golf cart. A welcome break from the grey skies of winter at home.
In June I am chaperoning Addie’s school trip to Washington DC. I have been there before and honestly in a day and age where security was far less tight and things much more open. I believe every kid should get a chance to experience our nation’s capital. Although limited time and a rush rush type setting, all of my kids can say they have been there. What an honor. I’m anxious to see our itinerary in the next few months and what will be open to see. I know that I appreciate more now than I did in MS the opportunity I had to go, but I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to return.
Finally, in August I am working on planning a road trip with the family to Jackson Hole, WY and hopefully on to Seattle. I have never been to Jackson Hole but hear it is beautiful. I HAVE been to Seattle many times as a child but am anxious to see Pikes Place Market and some of the places I may have not seen in my youth. The Space Needle, the Puget Sound, all things worthy of sharing with Addie and of course my husband who has never seen the west coast.
I have learned more in the past year to grasp opportunities as they come, you never know how much time you have left on this earth. There is so much to see and discover if you just take the time to do it. To love, experience within your means and [rioritize the non material things in life and the experiences you take together.
I once read a quote that said “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page” ~ Augustine of Hippo
I want my world to be bigger than one page. I think it is time to do a bucket list 2.0.
Until next time.
DirtroadNightingale 