Just Pondering: Wanderlust

By Allyson McCaw on March 3, 2022.

Today I feel like a kid at Christmas who is just waking up and realizing that it’s time to open all those presents. I am talking about the sense of freedom to get on a plane and travel once again! Hubby and I have been blessed to travel for the last 21 years, as we made the decision early on not to wait for our golden years but to go when our health still allowed us to.

I went for years without a garage because every year the money for that project seemed to go toward a new destination and we would tell ourselves, “Maybe next year.” Any regrets? Not a one!

I know planning, booking, flying and experiencing is not everyone’s cup of tea. But for us, it never let us down. We have explored beaches, drove little rental cars in foreign countries (some never made it back in one piece but that is an entire other article), watched amazing sunsets, ate incredible food at off-the-beaten-path eateries and shared all of it with truly the best people I know.

Was it always fun and games? No, I can honestly say some were more memorable than others, but having said that I would not trade any of it. We were never arrested and the insurance people at the car rental places were always so kind! We vowed to try to communicate with our hosts (even if you mangle it, they are so appreciative) and always order something foreign off the menu in a language you do not read. Believe me, the stories will never end.

COVID has curtailed us all from planning that next big adventure and oh how we have missed it! But now we see light at the end of the tunnel, and we jump for glee. We need to add back that pleasure of roaming the internet for the next great deal and bragging to friends how absolutely wonderful that vacation was. We need to light up our cell phones with pictures of food, stone ruins or beaches. It is time to break out the suitcase and just go. Memories of our travels got us through these last two years and how special it is to feel that joy again. Bon voyage!

Allyson McCaw is a Medicine Hatter. Feedback for her column can be sent to letters@medicinehatnews.com

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