THE TRAVEL THAT NEVER WAS
Thu., January 26, 03:54 AM
Lots of other people travel, and they post descriptions of their travels. Captain Poolie has a wonderful plan for traveling over the U.S. I become alternately envious and nostalgic. Why nostalgic? Because, long ago, before I was married, before I was financially secure enough to take a chance, I had what seemed like a great idea for seeing the country. We live in a beautiful country. I would love to see it all.
When I had finished both college and business school, with the added experience of having worked in the library for five years or so, I was definitely job-flexible. I
had no trouble getting a job, and I could work for
anyone.
It occurred to me that, while I could not afford to live without working, I could afford to take temp jobs — just about anywhere. Let’s say I settled myself in a big city for maybe six months and used that as a base. I thought about Chicago or St. Louis, maybe New Orleans. I could use my free time to explore the areas around the city, whatever it was. Every large city has attractions both within the city, like museums, or in the outskirts, like parks and zoos and whatever caught my fancy. Obviously, I never followed through.
A similar plan was based on having a more conventional full-time job. I would use my vacation time to coincide with wherever the Dodgers were playing. That would include Florida for spring training. Major league baseball, before it was written in capital letters. (I did get to see a game in Dodger Stadium — 1966.)
I never did either of those, nor did I get to Europe or Israel. I met my husband, gave a large amount of my savings to my father to pay for a wedding, and grew new life goals. It is true, life is what happens while you’re making other plans.
I had traveled to both Los Angeles and San Francisco before I got married. Nice places to visit, but I wouldn’t to live in either. After the kids were grown, I got to go a few places with my job. And the Middle Daughter and I got to London but not to the Continent. If I had thought a retired husband would be a good travel companion, I was wrong about that too. The last big trip I took with him was to a wedding in Portland, Oregon. I had a good time, he did not. He is just not that kind of person.
My son took us to Florida; my husband slept most of the time we were there. We took the train to Boston a couple of times; he was glad to see our son and his family but was otherwise not interested. I gave up on ever taking him on the one dream trip I still coveted — traveling cross-country via Amtrak.
Perhaps the most positive result of my caution is that I always encouraged my kids to travel. They took chances I never would have dared. Consequently, they have seen more of the world than I ever imagined. Nothing you ever learn is wasted.
I used to travel alone once, and I think I still could. But there are new constraints all the time. I am almost — but not quite — ready to give up the whole travel idea as something that is not meant to be. Well, not for a year or two, anyway.
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