Post vacation reflections

In a previous post I mentioned how I felt that I was traveling to escape, whether it was the Chicago winters or life’s occasional disappointments, and I didn’t think that necessarily a good thing.  Of course, it is good to get away to recharge your batteries but sometimes you just have to battle through the rough patches.  Plus, I think I was a little tired of traveling solo.   That being said, I did decide to take a break from the daily grind and the long, long winter that we experienced this year, and headed to California.  More will come soon on the actual trip itself.

In previous trips to the Southwest, I had to deal with some emotional upheaveal…not to mention that damn car rental fiasco.   This time around I decided I wasn’t going to let that happen.  I was going to focus on visiting an old friend, my photography, my travel writing, the sky, the desert, and most importantly,  the review mirror when backing out of a parking space.  I’d say I was successful for the most part in not letting my mind go places it didn’t need to go. 

The other difference is how I felt upon my return to the daily grind.  I usually have a week or so of the post holiday blues.  After traveling by myself,  for even just a short period of time, I guess I have to high of expectations of having been missed somewhat by those that aren’t furry and have four legs.   Then again, maybe if I stayed off Facebook while traveling… but I digress.  This time felt, well, different.  I didn’t feel as lonely.  Maybe it had to do with the fact that I stayed somewhat in touch while gone.  Maybe it was because my wonderful friend Jami was willing to pick me up at the airport at midnight on a Saturday night.  Not to mention take me to the airport at 6am on the previous Saturday.  Jami, a table will be reserved at Green Zebra for you soon.   Or it could have been the fact that I spent the first three days visiting a friend, followed by a couple of days of solitude and ending with a mixture of solitude and socializing with people I met in Pioneertown.  Jim and Nancy, retired artists and teachers staying at the same ranch where I rented an Airstream for a couple of nights, were so sweet.  They reminded me of my last evening in Peru when, because I was alone, three couples from India invited me to join them for dinner.  It also helped, I think, that rather than having to immediately go back to work,  I had a day in which to continue the vacation mindset by meeting up with folks to plan our crazy Madison to Chicago relay run.   Or it could be that I had a travel writing class to look forward to as well as some other opportunities awaiting in the near future.  I will learn that damn harmonica, I swear!   

All this isn’t to say that I didn’t experience a little post vacation blues and loneliness but it wasn’t the same intensity as in the past.  Could it be I’ve realized I travel in part because I want to enjoy coming home?

Oh, and Pickwick and Gepetto, I missed you too.

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