In "Into the Wild," the author describes Chris McCandless's itchy feet. I suffer from this, also. I have been home fora two weeks and I'm already antsy, needing to get out of here.
I went to a friend's house in the western suburbs yesterday, and as I passed the sign that said "Iowa: 120 Miles," I thought, "What if I just keep driving?" And quickly assessed how much time and money I had. This happens every time I see this sign.
I think part of the problem is the weather. It's too cold to do anything. Well, anything I enjoy, that is. I'm not a snow sports person.
Anyway, I was pretty upset when my windshield cracked and I realized I need to spend $400 on new glass instead of spring break in Phoenix. However, I realized that Great Smoky Mountain National Park is only 10 hours away, and expenses would be minimal. Perfect.
I am having much fun researching Appalachian folklore. I am making a list of things I want to see and do. For example, there is this arch that the Cherokee think is a portal, and legend has it that if you walk through it, you'll disappear. And there are these cursed lilies, and a haunted cemetery, and ghost towns and tons of waterfalls. It sounds like heaven. I can't wait to go lose myself in the mountains for a week.
Although it did occur to me that perhaps I should be a little more mindful of what I'm researching. The other night I was reading Appalachian ghost stories before bed. This was a bad idea in and of itself. And then I imagined myself camping out in the woods all alone, my head filled with thoughts of all these ghost stories... Really bad idea. Bernie says he's coming with me, but I still don't know him well enough to know if I can count on that, so I'm not. (See Step 1 of my Bernie plan.)
Anyway, I am SO excited to explore these mystical mountains. I hope they live up to expectations. And even if they don't... It will be an adventure. And I'll be seeing something new. So I'll be happy.
Hurry up, Spring Break!
I went to a friend's house in the western suburbs yesterday, and as I passed the sign that said "Iowa: 120 Miles," I thought, "What if I just keep driving?" And quickly assessed how much time and money I had. This happens every time I see this sign.
I think part of the problem is the weather. It's too cold to do anything. Well, anything I enjoy, that is. I'm not a snow sports person.
Anyway, I was pretty upset when my windshield cracked and I realized I need to spend $400 on new glass instead of spring break in Phoenix. However, I realized that Great Smoky Mountain National Park is only 10 hours away, and expenses would be minimal. Perfect.
I am having much fun researching Appalachian folklore. I am making a list of things I want to see and do. For example, there is this arch that the Cherokee think is a portal, and legend has it that if you walk through it, you'll disappear. And there are these cursed lilies, and a haunted cemetery, and ghost towns and tons of waterfalls. It sounds like heaven. I can't wait to go lose myself in the mountains for a week.
Although it did occur to me that perhaps I should be a little more mindful of what I'm researching. The other night I was reading Appalachian ghost stories before bed. This was a bad idea in and of itself. And then I imagined myself camping out in the woods all alone, my head filled with thoughts of all these ghost stories... Really bad idea. Bernie says he's coming with me, but I still don't know him well enough to know if I can count on that, so I'm not. (See Step 1 of my Bernie plan.)
Anyway, I am SO excited to explore these mystical mountains. I hope they live up to expectations. And even if they don't... It will be an adventure. And I'll be seeing something new. So I'll be happy.
Hurry up, Spring Break!
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