by Kim Patty

Created on: March 23, 2010

“Going Home”, the GPS says.  She sounds as sad as I feel.  I have always felt that the anticipation of an upcoming trip is much more fun sometimes than the trip itself.  I really enjoy having the vacation carrot dangling in front of me for weeks or months.  It gives me something to look forward to, something to plan for.

 This time last year it happened that I could arrange two weeks away from work.   Where should we go?  We put that question out to people in forums we frequented and told them what kind of activities and scenery we liked.  The Ozark Mountains of Arkansas is the destination we were encouraged to visit.   Hmmmmm, okay.  So we decided to head to the Ozark Mountains on a camping trip and just explore more of our country.  We pulled out the maps; I called the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce and got a travel package for the area.  We would hike the national parks and we would kayak the Buffalo River.  Whatever happened along the way would just happen.  Hiking boots, check, warm clothes, check, cold weather clothes, check, tequila, check, journal, check, fishing gear, kayaks, dog supplies, check, check, check.   All this checking, had me so excited.  The anticipation of an upcoming trip is like a drug.  I can handle the everyday blah, blah, blah of bills and work, repairs and deadlines just knowing that there is some time for reflection and time with no obligations awaiting me.  My attitude is better and I smile more.  It is why we put in so much time into our jobs, so we can enjoy the brief moments when we can break from routine and enjoy the fruits of our labor.

  When the journey is coming to an end, I feel a sadness welling up inside me.  “I don’t want to go home”.  I whine like a little child because that is how I feel, like there is some mean adult making me go home.  I remember on the Ozark trip saying, “We have fourteen more days of this”, then it was eight, then five, two, “oh no”, and on our way home.  It happened too quickly.  I try to grow up, suck it up and realize that I have responsibilities that I MUST return to.  I look out the window as if I am moving away from my very best friend forever.   

When I go back to work, though difficult, I can produce great results.   I have a new energy!  I am ready to start working towards my next destination.  A new adventure, something to look forward to.

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