Don't be afraid to travel slowly, take it all in

Alright, so I missed saying “Happy Fourth of July” last week. Oops. I hope you all had a lovely weekend through the heat and celebrations. 

 

I spent the weekend up in northern Minnesota, cruising around on the lake to stay cool. But I spent the previous weekend in Colorado, travelling down through the mountains — hiking, white water rafting, and enjoying the view. 

 

All I’m going to say is I forgot how exhausting travelling is. 

 

I flew out last week, a two-hour plane ride in the afternoon, and immediately hopped into a car for a six-hour drive. That was fine. I had just gotten there; it was fun and exciting and new, and I was at the beginning of my trip. Besides, we were driving through mountains, so how could I complain?

 

It was a bit different four days later on the way back, though. Leaving early in the morning, six hours of restless naps in the car, a quick stop for tacos, and then being dropped off at the airport. It was there that my plane back to Minnesota was delayed three hours before the two-hour plane ride and an hour light rail ride back to my apartment, where I arrived far later in the night than I had hoped. The following morning I woke up and travelled to northern Minnesota to spend the holiday with the family. 

 

Needless to say, I was exhausted. It made me think back to when I spent three months travelling when I studied abroad. I was in Spain, spending almost every weekend flying or taking a long bus ride to a new location in Spain, in Europe. And then during the week, it was exploring Madrid and the Spanish city I temporarily called home. I remember being tired, but not too tired — maybe it was all in the mindset. I haven’t travelled extensively in a while, so I had forgotten some of the downsides. Or maybe I just woke up this morning tired and now this column is all about me being tired because my columns are highly influenced on where I am and how I am feeling in the moment. 

 

That being said, I’ve also realized that it could just be because I rely heavily on one factor that I tend to conveniently forget — age. I’m young and can do things easily with few consequences and no second thoughts. 

 

Stay up late into the night, wake up early the next morning and be fine. Go drinking a number of days in a row. Eat junk food and not have it live with me forever. You know, the basics. 

 

I used to wonder why people would choose to spread long car trips across a few days. I would think to myself the better way was to drive the 13 hours or more in one go–maybe down a can of energy drink or coffee when you’re tired and you’re good. Why waste more time? 

 

But I’ve begun to realize that scenario requires a lot more energy and effort than previously thought. It’s not that easy to travel all day, turn around the next and travel some more; maybe especially not when you’re supposed to be civil and friendly once you arrive. It’s going to end in a meltdown on the Fourth of July I’ve noticed. Not that I’m speaking from experience at all.

 

Basically, I’m just reminding everyone to make sure you take your time to travel, it doesn't matter how long it takes, you don’t want to stretch yourself thin. Take your time, take the extra day, enjoy the view, and for goodness’ sake take a nap. Or two. 

 

My Determination: “Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.” ― Jodi Picoult, Small Great Things