“…and those who do not travel read only one page.”  –Augustine of Hippo

This is one of my favorite quotes.  When I was young, I used to sit on my front porch swing and read books.  My family didn’t travel often, and never too far from home, so books were my way to see the world.  I imagined that I would be best friends with Tom Sawyer.  I wanted to be courted by Genji (and then punch him in the face).  I cried for Tess Durbeyfield.  More than anything, I knew that reading about them, reading about where they lived, was my window to a world I may not ever get to see in person.

Fast forward several years, and I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to a few interesting places.  I’ve got so many more on my list.  I think about them, all of them, any time I’m packing for a trip.  I think about them any time I’m buying plane tickets.  Honestly, I think about them when I’m running errands or doing laundry.  There are so many places to visit in this big, beautiful world, and I want to see them all.

I think traveling is important.  I think it’s essential to go to different places, meet different people, eat different food, listen to different music, see different things (drink different wine!).  There’s no better way to understand the world than to go live in it.  And sometimes the smallest things surprise you…or, you know, how small you are surprises you.

If the whole world is your home, and you never go out and see it, it’s like you’ve never left your bedroom.  And I would like to think everyone moves past that phase once they reach adulthood.

So, for now, see you soon, Seattle and Alaska.  After that, who knows?

“Still round the corner there may wait
A new road or a secret gate,
And though we pass them by today,
Tomorrow we may come this way
And take the hidden paths that run
Towards the Moon or to the Sun.”
–J.R.R. Tolkien