We have such a draw to take trips. We love vacations, we like trips, we like skiing, biking and lots of other things! But, every trip provides those and more. But, just what more? People. New people and old friends truly create the world worth living in! So, yes visits ARE important. At home, while perusing maps, we pondered not just the sights of our country, but folks I haven’t seen in years. 80’s friends who moved long ago, PT friends, more recent friends and neighbors who thought they slipped away.
Nope, we know where they went and tracked them down. My messages to them state approximate dates, notices that they needn’t host or plan anything and the disclaimer that we may just pop in, share a quick visit or meal, then roll away down the road. If they “insist”, we would of course enjoy more. If they feed us, allow our clothes into their machines, suggest and join us on their local favorite adventures we revel in it!
Olivia came to see us off at the Atlantic Ocean and so we went. I made one of our classic, non-planning errors (the Lewes to Cape May Ferry was full until the 7:15 PM run), so that eliminated the Pine Barrens detour, we were forced back to I 95 and we, in the rain, went to see our neighbor who moved off to New Jersey. After seeing him there in his element, we feel better, he and his family have landed well. Joe, Cassandra and family were dear to us in Towson, contributing greatly to our neighborhood and local park Towson Manor Village, so we relished the thought of dropping in on them.
It couldn’t have been a more joyful bounce. Joe was as excited as he could be squeezing us into the busy life of a family with ~8 and 12 year-olds and an artist with shows, and a dad teaching full-time at a residential High School, covering dorm nights and innumerable assignments. Warm and joyful, laughing and relishing not only the past but talking about our futures we took our leave. One topic that really piqued my interest, was an “accountability group” he partakes in. A goal of writing daily is not automatic or easy, so he has joined a few friends who each have their own things they wish to accomplish, making a contract to keep each other on task. Time for me do a similar connection, but with who? And for which dream?
David (finally posted late from the Riverside Cafe, Gurnee, IL)
The Voyage of the Tramper 