“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes
When trying to find a meaningful quote for this month’s blog, I could not stop thinking about the quote from Oliver Wendell Holmes. During the Covid-19 pandemic I have been feeling like I am missing something, you that feeling that something isn’t quite right but you can’t really put your finger on it? After re-reading this quote it occurred to me exactly what I am missing. Of course I miss being able to travel, but what I miss even more is what I learn abut myself when I travel.
The Costa Rican beaches taught me that I am someone that loves the rocky, lava beaches because it reminds me of the life lessons that I have learned. It taught me that I prefer the trails of life and not taking the smooth sand route, but enjoy the adventure and wonder of the craggy rocks that make me slow down to navigate safely and take time to explore the nooks and crannies that I would have otherwise missed. Puerto Rico taught me that it is ok to break out of my shell and eat and drink new things, swim in the rain, fall into a waterfall fully clothed and giggle wildly (my kids still bring that one up!), and that I can truly just live in the moment. One thing that I know for certain is that I am ready to go out and learn the life lessons that you only the world can teach. What have you learned about yourself while travelling?
Travel in the United States
While we continue to face the uncertainty of COVID, many travelers have decided to explore all that the United States has to offer. Whether you are traveling to a new state for the first time, or going back to a familiar area, domestic travel has something to offer all types of travelers.
Just outside of Las Vegas you can experience the beauty and otherworldly rock formations you’ll find in and around Nevada at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. This is a great place for hiking and taking in the formations in the middle of the Mojave Desert. It’s unreal! Hiking will give you access to all of the highlights in the area, but there’s also a 13-mile scenic drive that’s an option if you’d prefer. Aside from hiking, you can also rock climb, mountain bike, horseback ride, picnic, and view wildlife in the area.
The East Coast is known for big cities like NYC and Boston, but with so many beautiful national parks, it’s also a great place to be at one with nature. Acadia National Park, White Mountains National Forest, Green Mountains National Forest, Catskills, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Shenandoah, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Everglades are all great places to escape the hustle, bustle, and endless noise of the big cities. You can visit them all on a two to three week itinerary, or pick and choose the places you’d really like to see.
Which of these outdoor oases are on your list of places to see one day?
