Saturday, May 21, 2011

Road Trip Reflections

Here's some of what I learned on our three-week road trip to the Midwest:

1. I can coexist easily and happily with my husband when we're not driving in traffic. There wasn't any except entering and departing from large cities (Seattle and Omaha).

2. There's a lot of drilling for oil and gas, and mining for minerals, in southern Wyoming. Some of it is being done by a company called Halliburton.

3. In some midwest restaurants, there's not much menu space given to fresh vegetables or healthy entrees.

4. Iowa is mostly hilly and Nebraska is mostly not. Iowa mostly doesn't need to have farmland irrigated and Nebraska mostly does. At least the parts we saw.

5. People in small towns are usually friendly and helpful, at least to us.

6. It's economical to spend the night in someone's home (via Couchsurfing.org or EvergreenClub.com), but it requires the energy and interest in conversation with newly-met people. Sometimes a motel room is easier after a long day's drive.

7. Sometimes it's a good idea to travel with a group, especially when you need a knowledgeable guide to cover an area (like the Black Hills in South Dakota).

8. Warren Buffett is an interesting rich guy and a good teacher.

9. Long days of sitting in a car or on a bus can result in lumbar strain which may require multiple trips to the chiropractor after arriving home.

10. It's wonderful to sleep again in your own bed - even if you catch a virus three days after you get back.

18 comments:

Sally Wessely said...

Those are some very interesting insights. I can relate to the first one very well. Also, #9 and #10 are things I can relate to. I can't take that lumbar strain from long car drives any more either.

Deere Driver said...

I'll be in Seattle in July. Will you be on the road again?

Linda Myers said...

Nope, we'll be here. How long are you staying?

#1Nana said...

So, you couchsurfed with complete strangers? You are brave! I'm much too socially inept to try that...oh the pressure!

Hope you're feeling better.

Arkansas Patti said...

Did not know about couchsurfing. Sounds Ok but if I have put in a long day driving(I like to drive at least 12 hours), most I can tolerate is a long shower.
Now if the hours on the road are short, CS sounds delightful.

Teresa Evangeline said...

I'm not very good at making nice with strangers in their home and it would be especially difficult after a long day on the road, but I've always admired those who can do so, even at B&B's. I guess my semi-reclusive nature prefers the anonymity of motels. I imagine returning home requires an adjustment time, too.

Beth said...

Welcome home Linda. It must be wonderful to know you are tethered to the earth by your ancestors.

DJan said...

Welcome home! Good reflections on traveling in the midwest. I think the menu selection must depend a bit on where you are eating, but I do remember that a Subway was almost always the safest bet when looking for fast food while traveling!

marciamayo said...

There's no way I could comfortably stay at a stranger's house. I have a hard enough time putting up with friends and family.

Olga said...

I liked and can relate to most of your reflections. What is the point of travel if we don't learn something by it? I don't envision myself ever staying at a strangers house, although my husband has invited stangers to stay at our house for a night without disaster.

Tom said...

Words of wisdom, all. But regarding #3 -- isn't that one of the great things abt. traveling? You can throw aside your usual diet and splurge on whatever you want. After all ... the calories don't count when you're on vacation!

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

How wonderful to travel and how wonderful to be home. What a great trip you had -- and loved your insights from the road! I so agree with them all, though I've never tried couch-surfing with strangers but would think it might be tiring and stressful after a long drive. I'm interested in #8 -- want to say more about that? Hope you're feeling better!

Linda Reeder said...

Good observations. No couch surfing for me. I prefer an impersonal motel, because I just want me time then.
We do feel more satisfied with home when we've had a chance to get away, don't we.

Jennifer said...

Glad you're back. Lesson #3, snicker.

Jenn Flynn-Shon said...

Sorry to hear you're sick (or were sick) but so glad to hear you enjoyed the time on the road together! #6 seems pretty reasonable. I bet it's great fun to meet people but sometimes there's nothing like being totally quiet while channel surfing in the Quality Inn :-) Hope you feel better soon!

Deb Shucka said...

I'm glad you had such a great trip. One of my favorite things about vacationing is the feeling of being home again, no matter how much fun I'm having away. I hope you're feeling better soon, and that your back recovers quickly.

Deere Driver said...

Linda,
Don't know what happened for a few days there!! Things bounced around.
I'll be in the area just a few days. First, Mt. Rainier off the plane and then Seattle after. What do I HAVE to do when I run around on my own there??
Rose

Anything Fits A Naked Man said...

You are very wise, indeed! My friend recently told me about the couch-surfing idea, which I think is an awesome invention. But I, like you, also wondered if that would be tough after a full day of traveling! Like you, I think I'd pay a few extra bucks for the Travel Lodge!

Also, my husband and I rarely argue, EXCEPT when he gets behind the wheel! The man turns into an aggressive, impatient MANIAC!! I can definitely relate! Hope your back feels better soon!!