We just returned from our Las Vegas Road Trip! While I am writing this, I feel both tired and extremely fulfilled. I am in awe of the diversity present in the great American landscape!
This trip exposed me to a lot of travel firsts. It was my first time setting foot in Utah and Arizona (as well as Jason’s first time in California). I saw hoodoos and natural arches up close and personal for the first time. I also received my first stamps in the Western region of my National Park Passport!
With this trip, Jason and I flew about 2,000 miles from our Central Ohio home to embark upon a road trip covering more than 1,400 miles in the car.
Over the coming weeks we plan to share the great travel tips and places that will help you to plan your own experience visiting the beautiful parks and public lands out west that we visited during this trip. Until then, I just wanted to take a moment to express how grateful I am for having the opportunity to experience these beautiful places.
As an exercise in gratitude, I thought that I would share a few thoughts on the beauty of returning from a great travel experience.
#1 Nostalgia is a powerful force
Nostalgia is a powerful force… memories become sweeter over time. Even travel mistakes (and meltdowns) often become things that you look back on and laugh about. The memories that you make on the road will keep you grounded and ready for more.
#2 Travel expands your world view
I must admit that on this vacation, there were a few things that I saw that made me feel so fortunate (to the point of feeling guilty) about having the material means to travel. I saw some glaring examples of poverty on some of the Indian Reservations surrounding our parks. This was a new experience for me.
Even when making a lot of stops in succession, road trips force you to slow down your journey as you see things that you may not expect to see. Each new experience, sight and person that you interact with impacts and expands your world view.
One travel quote that I love that I believe addresses this perfectly follows:
“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” – Anita Desai
Reflecting on some of the conditions that I saw people living in will, no doubt, increase my consciousness about some of the history surrounding how our parks came to be. Additionally, these experiences increase my desire to learn more about the stories that are kept in how we use our resources and land.
#3 Spending time on the road allows you to be alone with yourself and your thoughts
The timing of this trip could not have been more perfect for me. This time away allowed me to have some time to reflect in a deeper way that I do not make space for in my daily life. Lengthy road trips provide you with time to look inward.
That’s all for now. I have so much more to share, and invite you to come back! If you haven’t already, please click here to join our email list to receive our newsletter.
