Walking Tals this weekend, it was hard to imagine that I hadn’t seen the gigantic Colorado sky in over a month. Truthfully, it’s almost like we returned from our month-long road trip to a different world. When we left the state in January, knee-high snowdrifts covered our neighborhood with icy ribbons dancing down the sidewalk. Now, Denver is flaunting some ridiculously warm temperatures so birds are chirping, bulbs are blooming and weeds are sprouting in our yard. Quite the contrast from the frigid cold temps I remember a mere 30 days ago!
I spent the entirety of February exploring the American west: Colorado, Utah, California, parts of Nevada and Oregon were all on our schedule. We trekked through 38-degree water in Zion National Park; camped in Yosemite; backcountry skied in the Mt. Hood territory of Oregon; rock climbed in Bend; and hiked among the giants in Redwood National Park. After steering our trusty Subaru through 5,136 miles, I felt like we could keep going forever.
But we can’t. And we couldn’t. The real world beckons.
Photos by Will Rochfort
And you know, I’m okay with that. As much as I like to say that I’d love a permanent life on the road or “van life” like so many are doing, I’m past that point. I’m very glad I did it in my 20s, but as someone whose 34th birthday is tomorrow {gasp!}, that proverbial ship has sailed. I love exploring. I love adventuring. I love journeying into the unknown. I love the discomfort and exhilaration of new experiences. I love the outdoors.
Better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times. ~Asian Proverb Click To TweetBut I also love returning home. With my husband, to our bed and our dog and our house. Home.
There is something about the comforts of home that make the journey more rewarding. Would the Redwoods seem so gigantic if I didn’t have the Colorado Ponderosa Pines to compare them to? Would the moss-covered trees of Oregon’s trails amaze me if I didn’t have the Rockies’ dry and rugged terrain as a basis of comparison? I think not.
Traveling near and far is awesome. But so is being home. And I’m happy to be here.
Tell me: what do you want to hear about our month of travels? Adventure stories? Travel tips? Let me know below!
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7 Comments
I think returning home happy to be there is one of the greatest parts of any trip. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I would love to hear about your travel adventures. And pictures, por favor!
We have plenty of those! 🙂
Welcome home! It’s great to return to familiar things and places, if only to plan future travels.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us and I’ve to say I totally agree. As much as I love traveling and exploring places, coming home is what makes those feelings even better.
Longtime reader, first time commenting. I love traveling and exploring, but it’s comforting to return home to my bed and know where all my things are at any given moment without dumping out a suitcase to find them. Since your trip included much of my backyard, I’d love to hear more of your adventures so I can uncover some new places.
Having just returned home today from only a week-long excursion, this post captured exactly what I’m feeling right now! Laying in my own bed, sipping my own coffee and eating my own food…there are small comforts that make having a home base the second best thing to exciting travels.
I would love to hear about how you put together your trip and your expectations versus reality for some of your adventures! Can’t wait for the pictures 🙂
I’m a new follower of your blog, and I have to say that I completely agree with your sentiments in this post. We’re off for a 10 day trek in the Scottish Highlands next week and it will only be that much more amazing compared to the city life we are currently living. I love your writing style, and I can’t wait to read more about your month of explorations. Tell us everything! 🙂