Having Adventures

Most days I sit in front of a computer and work. I’m a free-lance web designer/developer by profession as well as an author. Both jobs involve sitting at a desk for hours on end, using my brain and my hands but not much else. Even on weekends, when I do more writing, too much of my day goes by at the computer. I do make it a point to get up periodically and walk around; I try to walk at least a mile a day, and I do other exercises, but still the day is limited.

I read as much as I can, too, but every now and then I itch to get out in a more serious way. I want to take a vacation and travel. We go to the beach once or twice a year and that’s great for resting and relaxing, providing more reading time, but it doesn’t satisfy my longing for new places, people, and experiences.

At least every other year we plan a more major vacation with travel to someplace we’ve never been or don’t get to visit often. We almost always meet or include other family members in the trip, which tends to make it more meaningful for all of us.

A few years ago, we flew to Las Vegas, then drove to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, spent a few days there hiking, drove to Bryce Canyon and spent a few days, and then drove over the mountains to Denver. It was a lot—A LOT—of driving, but so worth it. It was the first time I’d seen real desert other than in movies and television shows, (yes, East Coast Girl), my first view of the Rocky Mountains, including an unforgettable ride on Interstate 70 up and over, my first time in Vegas (and likely my last), and hikes in eerie landscapes at Bryce that sparked all sorts of story ideas.

Me at the Grand Canyon, 2010

The last two trips have been to England, where our son now lives with his wife and small daughter. We’re fortunate that he lives in Oxford, a place that is endlessly fascinating on its own and within fairly easy driving distance of many other interesting places. We’ve ventured forth to Bath, Blenheim Palace, Highclere Castle (better known to most people as Downton Abbey) and Stonehenge. We’d spent time in London and Kent on a previous trip, as well.

My husband and son at Stonehenge, 2014

Not many of these places have directly worked their way into a story yet. But the spirit of them has already infused some of my work. Those places have expanded my horizons and filled the bucket of my brain with more material to weave into my books. But I need more.  Need more!

By the time you’re reading this, I should be home from the latest jaunt, a trip to Italy.  My son and his family joined us there for a stay in Rome, followed by Florence, and then Como.  Report to follow.

Pack Three Pair of Shoes and Shut Off Your Phone.

                                                                                                           Zelda Benjamin

Years ago, packing for vacation was all about how many pairs of shoes to pack. That is still somewhat of an issue, but I've managed to live by the rule of three - only three pair of shoes. Which three pair is still somewhat of a dilemma. Depending on my vacation destination, the choices vary. Outdoor vacations are the easiest. I pack hiking boots, sneakers, and a pair of espadrilles. City destinations are where the dilemma comes in. Sneakers and espadrilles are a given. Taking a second pair of espadrilles in a different color is always a consideration over flip flops.

The season dictates my third choice. In winter, the third pair is always boots. But even that decision has an assortment of choices. Do a I go for style, comfort, or water repellant?

With my shoe dilemma almost resolved, I find myself with another dilemma. What devices should I travel with? In this case less is best, but can I survive for 2-3 weeks completely disconnected? For me vacations are all about having fun with family. If you're standing near a famous site and everyone is sharing a different experience while tweeting, posting on fb, or taking a selfie it takes away from the moment.

How ridiculous it must look when you are part of a group with your arms in the air shooting the same scene that's been photographed over and over and never changes. 

For shots like these, I prefer a camera.  I'll admit, I use my smart phone camera for photo-ops I don't want to miss. 

So far, I've got my cell phone and a camera. Do I limit myself to only three devices?  My kindle is a must for long flights. I could pack a few books, but with luggage weight restrictions that's not a practical option. I like to leave room for a guide book. It some how gives me a human connection. Locals will stop and talk to you if they see you thumbing through a guide book. These little chats often lead to the best adventures on your vacation.

With all these devices, do I really need to bring my laptop? The latest security checks can be a hassle to turn on so many devices while you push your bags through the scanner. If and when I turn on my smartphone, I can connect to anywhere or anyone. Do I want to be so connected on my vacation?

What if I have a moment and want to work on my WIP (work in progress)? I happen to like taking notes, but that means if I'm on the move I can't do everything at once. How can I take the photo and jot down my thoughts if I need more than two hands to do it. 

If things aren't confusing enough, along comes Google Glass. A smartphone you wear like glasses. You can snap a photo, translate, and check your flight. Definitely compact and easy to pack, but not my style.

I've packed my three pairs of shoes, my camera, my kindle, and smartphone. Still debating whether or not to take the laptop. If you're curious, you can follow me on fb, call my cell if you have my number or email me. I'll connect at some point.