Drive-Ins and Curvy Roads

I love road trips. I love long car rides, blasting the radio (preferably country music or Disney soundtracks), and riding with the window rolled down. Most of all, though, I love the sense of adventure. Even if you know exactly where you're going, or if you've taken the same trip a million times before, I still feel like heading out onto the highway is like heading out on some big adventure.

Or maybe that's just me.

Anyway, the reason I'm talking about this is because I just got back from  my camping trip a few hours ago. (Yes, another camping trip.) Unlike the one I went on a couple weeks ago, though, this one was a good 4-5 hour drive away.

You know what that means.

(If you don't...read the first line of this post.)

I had another fantastic four days with friends, and it was another nice refresher. (Not that I needed another real refresher, since it's only been about two weeks since my last refresher, but I digress.) We slid down water slides, visited a drive-in movie theatre, saw a couple shooting stars (my first two ever, I might add), and followed a random, curvy gravel road that led absolutely nowhere but was fun to follow anyway.

Which leads me back to my love of road trips.

Someday I just want to hop in a car, packed with essentials, and just drive. Drive all over the country, all over the continent. Visit big cities, small towns, and everything in between. Visit national landmarks and stupid road-side attractions. I want to go on an adventure, and write about it on the way.

I think, out of all of my dreams and goals and ambitions, this is the one I want to do the most. I think this would be the best adventure; the best way to write. One of the things I love most about writing is that you can do it virtually anywhere--at home, on your bed; during class, when you're not paying attention (which I totally didn't ever do ever...ahem); at work, when you're on break; on a plane, on a boat, on a train. Or in a car, in some small town nobody's heard of, inspired by the change of scenery and the brand new people you meet there.

I just think that's awesome.

The only real thing that's stopping me, I suppose, is my lack of funds. And car. And, y'know, driver's license. (Not like that's important or anything...) But I'm sure I'll have all of these things one day.

Eventually.

Until later,

- Justyne

Refreshments

There's something about a simple vacation that motivates you to get stuff done.

Yesterday, I returned home from a 4-day camping trip with a small group of friends. I had an absolute blast--even if I left covered in mosquito bites. And after spending that time swimming, reading, and taking over the world (i.e. playing Risk), I feel more ready now than ever to buckle down and start writing.

It's surprising how much such a simple and quick little trip can just reset everything--refresh my mind and get me back to work. It's one thing to spend four days procrastinating, with the reminder of what I should be doing hovering over me and stressing me out. Having the knowledge that I don't have to write, that I can take this time to relax and spend time with friends, makes me feel so much lighter and that much more willing to get back to work after everything's over.

So while certain aspects of my trip linger around--my countless mosquito bites, my raspy voice (a result of much talking, yelling, and goofing around in general with friends), and the scent of campfire smoke clinging to my clothes--my vacation is over.

Time to get back to work.

Until later,

- Justyne