Wednesday, June 28, 2006

The Lure of the Road Trip

I've been seriously jonesing for a vacation of late. Actually, who am I kidding, I'm always jonesing for a vacation. I could spend my whole life on vacation. My days as a workaholic are well over. But right now, I need one bad. I'm at the climbing the pod wall need to get out stage. I have an extra long weekend coming up this weekend with Canada Day and taking Friday off, but my first long vacation of the year doesn't hit until the last week of July. I plan on going down to the camp for five days to rest, relax, read and write.

But one thing I've wanted to do for a while now, and even more so of late, is to go on a road trip. I've never actually been. I've never packed up the car with some friends and just taken off somewhere, destination to be determined. And now, all my friends are married or have kids, or both. None of them can just hop in the car at the last minute for an unplanned road trip. It seems a shame really, and I realize that is one of the things I like about being single. Sure it has its drawbacks at times, but the freedom to do what you want when you want can be very intoxicating. A drug I drag my feet at giving up. I've come to realize, I don't have commitment issues, I have lack of freedom issues.

Unfortunately, all my compadres who could once join me in my adventures have now gone over to the other side - marriage, motherhood, family commitments. It's just me and Coop left, and she's getting older too. Not sure how she'd take to a road trip. Although, knowing Coop, if there was food involved she'd be up for it.

Maybe that's what I should do. Not this summer. With my sister's wedding cash is at a low ebb, but maybe I should celebrate the summer of my 40th year with a road trip. A week spent driving with no set destination in mind. And a week spent finding my way back. The no set destination appeals to me, especially given that I have no sense of direction and would probably get lost anyway. But who cares? If I have good tunes on the radio, the wind in my hair and Coop snoring from the back seat, I've got everything I need.

Does anyone else get the urge to just pack up the car and take off on a road trip? Where would you go if you did?

14 comments:

Maxx said...

aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh road trip. Haven't been on one in way too damn long.
Whenever I get itchy feet... and let's face it, being a Sag makes it almost a daily occurrence... but when I get SERIOUSLY itchy, can't stay still, gotta move gotta MOVE NOW itchy feet, I take a day trip somewhere. We can do that. We can scrape together gas money and go find that gold on Oak Island, or check out Lunenburg- I haven't been there since I was a kid. I've never been to Upper Clements Park and there's a zoo down there that's pretty cool.
*whistles 'Get Along Little Doggie'*

Kelly Boyce said...

This is true. And I'm not better with the itchy feet with that progressed Saggitarius in my House of Travel. Damn you, get out! It never listens. We must consult and hit the road grasshopper.

Anonymous said...

I don't really go for the truly open-ended road trip, where the destination is unclear. But I love hitting the road when there is one! I love the actual driving/train trip where all there is to do is stare out the window. Of course, if I'm at the wheel, I promise I'll pay more attention. My favourite day trips are in the fall when the leaves give off their glorious show.

Maxx said...

Alrighty. I shall awaken The Oracle.
And if you think I'm gonna let you road trip with out me... with your sense, or lack of... direction... yeah I'd rather not have to contact the RCMP to track you down. Unless they're cute. And I'm allowed to go along.

Kelly Boyce said...

I can't take you on a 2 week road trip. You have a child, three cats and a guinea pig. What would you do with them for 2 weeks while we hit the open road?

Melissa Amateis said...

I would love to take a road trip. But since I've got the kids and the marriage, I can't just pack up anymore and have to take "planned" vacations.

Maxx said...

Throw them in the trunk and let's go! Yeehhaaawww!!!

Bailey Stewart said...

Well Kelly, if it's open-ended and unplanned then I don't know where I would go. *gg*

I'd love to take off, get away from it all. Maybe take a trip down what's left of Rt 66. Out of the way places, ghost towns. But then I would want someone with me since those roads can be lonely and dangerous for a woman alone.

Maxx said...

It's a sign... I just won 2 nights at a hotel in Dallas!
Pack yer bags hoss we're going to Texas!

Tess said...

Weeeell (as Samantha Stevens used to say), I'm not really a road trip kinda gal (just ask Sean). Musta been something in a past life. But with the camper, I might just change and maybe next summer I'll find I DO want to hit the open road.

Rene said...

Not anymore. I did some roadtrips when I was younger. But I'm a lazy slug. I did a roadtrip from Philadelphia through New England and back when I was in school. I think that cured me. If I were going to go on a road trip, I'd pack my convertible and take Highway One up the coast as far as it would take me.

My dh's aunt is single and is plannin on selling her mobile and getting a motorhome with the express purpose of traveling all over in it. She's in good health and has no dependents, I think it sounds fun.

Anonymous said...

When I was single and unfettered, I took a road trip to Arizona. It was amazing. The best part about going alone is that you're in charge of your day. It's quite liberating! :)

Julie S said...

In theory, road trips are great and I wish I could do them. Sadly, I am one of those people who gets carsick, so I tend to fly. But I'd love to do more train travel throughout the country, that would be lovely.

MJFredrick said...

I love love love road trips! I go with my guys, wherever we go that summer. This year will be Atlanta, last year was Minnesota, the year before Florida. My dh makes it so pleasant. I have my bag with my stuff, my son has his bag, my dh drives. We get breakfast on the road, when we stop for gas we get snacks, we stay at a nice hotel. It's not cheap, but we're happy.

I'd love to go to the Northwest, and the Northeast, and Utah, and Yosemite, and California.

My best friend and her husband just get the kids in the car and go, no schedule. That would be ideal.

But I'd be just as happy to go to the beach!