"Friend!!!! What city are you in?"
That was the official beginning to a phone call between my friend Katie and I during and shortly after college.
Keep in mind, there were no Facebook check-in's to stalk. That simply didn't exist. It was a lot more fun to take off when the mood struck without anyone knowing where you were going. (expect I usually called my parents shortly after one of my departures just so someone could worry about me.)
Sometimes, like my trip to Florida, it was a solo adventure. Other times I had partners in crime like my roommate, Jacque (if she didn't have to go to class or do her homework) or my trusty neighbor, Tintin, who I could usually count on to hop on the road in a moment's notice.
One Thursday night about 10:30, we decided it was a good weekend to go to Colorado Springs. We rushed home from the bar, packed our bags and jumped in the car. Sadly, our energy wore off before we were even to Waco. We turned around and headed back home. I do believe that was our only unsuccessful trip. More successful trips to Colorado followed, a New Years Eve in Nashville, countless trips around Texas and New Orleans. And then Spring Break in Paris. Gas and travel was less expensive and time more plentiful.
I smile when I think about these adventures. Something that fundamentally makes my soul smile. Part of it is the actual travel, but a larger part I've been convinced, is the freedom and ability to ride off into the sunset anytime the moment strikes me. I miss that.
Last week I wasn't able to fly to Paris, or even leave the state, but I did get the ability to remember a huge part of my life that had been missing. I woke up one day and decided to go to Waco to see some friends and do some dancing, and just did it. I went to Austin, alone, another day. Another couple days I just went wherever the wind blew me (in a very short radius) No, it wasn't as it was before, most likely will never be, but it was freedom. And from that point on I decided incorporating more of this is my life will keep my soul happy.
With myself and my old running buddies now having responsibilities like jobs and children life gets more complicated. That doesn't mean we can't all create opportunities to do what brings us joy.
Whadda say, Tintin, "Heads Carolina, Tails California?"
