I still have all the wanderlust that I was born with
Driving up to the northern wastes I am reminded how much I like the motion, the change in scenery, the changes in elevation.
Michigan has it’s own flavor, Ontario as well. I love both and while I end up driving a lot and seeing things pass by my window, I also want to take each sideroad and wander to it’s end, see each giant ball of tinfoil or rock formation, meet the locals, buy some cheese. I put the daughter behind the wheel and lean against the window, let the vibration of the road lull me to sleep, and dream. I dream of winning the lottery, of having the money to buy a motorhome comfortable enough for three, and getting in and driving. Across the plains, up into the mountains, through lonely passes and crowded cities.
I dream of waking up in Montana to a late october chill and getting in and driving to texas to warm my bones.
Late in his life, possibly after he found out he was dying, Steinbeck had a custom camper made and drove it around the US,satisfying for good and all his wanderlust. He famously called the camper Rocinante, and took his dog Charley, and wrote “Travels with Charley”
I know what he felt. I wonder if I will have the warning he did, and the sense to use the time that well.
One thing for sure: if i do win the lottery one of the first things i will do is travel to where i can see it rain on every place where it does
Pretty good dream. I would do something similar. I would like to get to the high passes of the northern Rockies again before I pass.
Unfortunately if I won the lottery and bought a motor home I would probably be alone in it while traveling. the rest of my clan does not seem to have the desire to travel I do.
None the less, I hope your dream comes true for you.
“Travels With Charlie” was the one Steinbeck book I enjoyed from cover to cover.
One of the reasons I joined the Navy way back when was to “See the world”, couldn’t wait to get out of the house and familiar surroundings…and see what was happening beyond the bend of the road.
If the Lotto gods smile on me, Deb and I would also find ourselves motoring across the nation/ continent. Aside from seeing all there is to see here, I would also like to take her to see all the various ports of call the Navy dropped me off at throughout the years. (And I do remember going beyond the gin joints and other dens of inequity, while overseas…so there would be some culture to share…not that there is anything wrong with a cold drink in a foreign clime.)
Love that book. My erstwhile ivy league girlfriend called it that “low brow old man book.” “Erstwhile” for a reason. (Nice cans, though.)
Too often, “someday” never comes and we find out that the window we had, our life, has slammed shut without warning. Most people don’t learn this until it IS too late.