Tuesday, February 5, 2008

But it never seemed like the right time...

....I've lived in the South for a long time, and in that time I've traveled outside of VA twice. Not in a plane, just driving, y'know-in my car. I've never gone any where, or done anything, or seen every thing I wanted to see. Grandfather mountain, the gem-belt in N.C. Luray Caverns and Harper's Ferry. I would pick up brochures and say, "well, maybe one day."

I was always too busy, or tired, or broke--sometimes a combination of all three. I once rode Amtrak cross-country on the Empire Builder, and remember being impressed with Chicago, marveling at the sunflower fields and sheer nothingness of Montana.

When we'd stop, my kids would get out and suck in the strange air, and I'd sit in my chair, safe and comfortable, knowing that if the train left without them, I'd be there. A fail-safe. When the hell did I stop taking chances?

I haven't done anything or gone anywhere, I'm so focused forward--I've forgotten to stop and look around, because--yeah, today is gone the minute you take another breath. And for every choice you make, another possibility ends. Life is a series of doors, but every door only opens in one direction and you can never go back.

I'll never have yesterday, but I can have tomorrow. And this time.

I have a list.

6 comments:

Kaige said...

I grew up about 15 minutes from Harper's Ferry in MD. Everyone used to go tubing on the river there in the summer.

Ya know what else they've got? Aunt Irene's Candy Shop. Very good fudge, taffy, and other old-fashioned type candy. :)

Unknown said...

I went over the river on the train and I looked down at the tubers. It was a beautiful place...very beautiful. If it wasn't such a long drive, I'd do it tomorrow. :) As it is, guess I need a plan...

Jeanna said...

Aunt Irene's Candy Shop? I'm there!
Hey kiddo, I think you're ready to do some traveling. Sometimes you can get a lot of thinking, not to mention reading done on a train. Make sure you get a sleeping car.

Anonymous said...

If all you saw in Montana was nothingness, you must not have gotten West of Billings.

So what's on your list?

Unhinged said...

I'd love to ride a train somewhere scenic, some place mountainy with a lot of stops.

I'd also like to go to a balmy island that's not too busy with other tourists. Like that Caribbean hut Pierce Brosnan's character took Rene Russo's in THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR.

If I'd just win the damn lottery, I could do it all.

p.s. I have a list, too. It's been on my fridge since August. Maybe I should move it to my bathroom mirror...

Gwen Hayes said...

Yeah...what is on your list?

Maybe you need a partner in crime? We could find all kinds of trouble if we put our minds to it.