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| In the Netherlands 1986 |
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| Hiking in South Korea, 1982 |
If you're not living on the edge, you're
taking up too much space.
Unknown
Back in 1986 I journeyed on a European ISO (In Search Of)
experience, with no itinerary, except to go ‘where
Deborah hadn’t gone before.’ I had purchased a Eurail pass before I left the
U.S., which allowed me 30 days of first class train travel throughout most of
the central European countries. This pass came with a master schedule which
gave me departure times and tracks to many cities. I was going to board my own Love Train— the O’Jays had told me to in
their song by that name back in the 1970s. Also I did something similar during my time in the army while stationed in Seoul, South Korea, taking the train around the peninsula, feeling fearless!
Did
my family and friends think I was nuts?
Yes!
My response and line of reasoning,
“I want to travel while I’m able. Who knows what the future holds. I consider
this my pre-retirement reward! I’m going to find myself.”
Off I went to explore the great
countries and cities of Europe.
There were some destinations I had in
mind, such as Norway, Italy and Belgium— but when I would go see them, I just
left it up to my mood and chance. Space for rest and diversions were top priorities
during my foray as well, so I’d planned to do a learn-to-ski program in Austria.
The choice to discover a new location was mine and I sometimes altered my
travel plans based on the best train connections.
I’d also purchased a guide book, Europe on $25 a Day, which listed lodging
and restaurant options for each major place on the continent. Bed-and-breakfast
style hotels fit my budget and I found them charming. The innkeepers at these
establishments were generous with information about local attractions. From
museums to boat rides to authentic foods, I wandered and explored London, Paris,
Lucerne, Switzerland, Vienna, Austria and other places. Riding the rails and
seeing the countryside up close was a wonderful adventure.
After my 30 days were up on the
Eurail pass, I decided to hang out in Germany for a while. Several of my army
friends were stationed there and offered me a place to stay. One of them had an
apartment in a community close to the army base so that location fit better for
me. We entertained other friends and it was easy to get to other social events.
I even considered looking for a job. Soon
I realized that I wanted to go home. ‘Loose ends’ needed to be tied up.
When I returned to the U.S. one of
my uncles asked me if I “found who I was looking for”.
I couldn’t really answer that
question.
I was just glad I took on that
expedition. Occasionally as I thumb through my photo albums of the trip, reflecting
on that experience, I think about what a bold thing that was for me to do. I also
wonder if I could do it again. Youth played a role at that time. I was 31 and a
curiosity about the world lit my travel bug. My life was at a crossroad too, so
a daring pursuit fit the moment.
I still crave an unusual enterprise
from time to time to break the monotony or provide an adrenaline-type thrill. Now
I tend to take on shorter and safer quests. When I lived in Phoenix back in 2001, I once drove
to Los Angeles and back in the same day. My goal was to complete the coast to
coast drive I started when I left Virginia and moved to Arizona. It felt great—seeing
the sign pointing me to Los Angeles from the car instead of the plane. Another
test of the mettle and pedal I could put on my daring deed. Checking out local
festivals, reading a new book genre —those are more within my limits now.
The message for all of us... Get out of the rut. Find a parade!
Explore a new town! Do what you’ve never done.
Excerpted from my motivational
autobiography, Navigating Life’s Roadways: Stories of Insight from My Odyssey
and Inspiration for Your Journey in print and Kindle eBook http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FQDPYE
