Oh, The Things We Saw

Between business and leisure, solo travel and highway boogieing with my spouse, we put a lot of miles on our car this year, including a round-trip journey from the Chicago suburbs to Albuquerque New Mexico. We nearly beat the path between the burbs and our MN hideaway to death. My honey and I journeyed up and down super slabs, pay-for highways and plenty of back roads, including miles of pinging gravel.

We've enjoyed lovely consistencies via our literal road travel versus airlines:

• The comfort of our own leather car seats. (Adjustable lumbar support. YAY!)
• No limitations on snacks or shampoo. (Hair looks great. Unbuttons jeans again.)
• Alternative routes due to weather or whim. ("I've never been to Mabel MN. TURN LEFT HERE!")
• Up close and personal scenery. (Fall's been glorious!)
• Venue/menu choices. (Drive-through or cocktails?)
• Unlimited baggage. (To fishing pole or golf clubs, that is the question.)
• No rental vehicle snafus. (Let's hear it for an HONEST nonsmoking vehicle!)
• No missed connections. (Do I have to count wrong turns?)
• The ability to stop and go when we want to.
• No running for gates or sitting on the tarmac.

Of course there were drawbacks too:

• Couldn't watch a movie. (If I was the driver.)
• No call button. (Unless one could count on one's spouse or traveling partner (TP) to pass one something.)
• We couldn't change elevation to avoid bad weather. (And bridges can be icy.)
• Traffic congestion occasionally played havoc with our schedule. (Especially if we didn't listen to our spouse (TP) and stayed on the main route. The words harassment and neener-neener come to mind.)
• We couldn't eavesdrop on conversations around us. (Or get kicked in the back by a kid, unless he was ours, and they're 47 and 42, so no.)
• We couldn't stand up and walk around while still "making time." (Cruise control only covers so much.)
• Couldn't work on a laptop while you're driving.

Okay, we didn't follow this, but ...
STOP! I gotta get a picture
of THAT!

But one of the most enjoyable benefits, which, to be honest, also occasionally caused a time detriment, was the many unusual and interesting things we followed, as opposed to one of those ongoing and annoying two-hour stares at the crooked part in the back of the guy's head in the airline seat in front of us. You know, the guy who reclines his airline chair up against your knees?

I herewith offer a relaxing visual testimony to a few of our more recent-ish Favorite Follows. Enjoy the ride. Feel the pace. Imagine the fury of wrangling around with a cell phone to capture a moving shot. :)

Nothing like giant side-by-sides to help you make time.

Okay, not exactly a "follow" but ...

Giantest fan EVA!

Mega Bus touting $1 rides

Yep, that's the Trester Trolley
chugging up that hill in front of us!

Whoa.

Sometimes things GOING look like
they're COMING AT YOU.

Harvest Time!

Even in the midst ...

Even in the midst of reports of the ravages of winter--cars not starting, road salt shortages, warnings about frost bite, freezing pipes, airport hassles and canceled schools--beauty resides. By way of reminder, I bring you these quiet moments from The Farm in Minnesota. The temperature is dropping. I hear we're getting down to around 25 below zero tonight, with wind chills dipping toward 50 below. I could complain ...

And yet, without the cold, the following daybreak scenes would not exist. As you move from one view to the next, drinking of their beauty, allow yourself to listen for the mystic crunch of fresh snow beneath your boots. Behold, as evidence of your own sacred breath steams forth from your nostrils. Inhale the crisp, awakening air. Feel the coarseness of the winter coat God provides the critters. Smile at the pristine bunny prints, and give thanks that your computer is working so that in the midst of your busy-busy, you can stop for a spell and warmly--ever so warmly--allow yourself to enjoy.

There is beauty in winter. Even if you are stuck in an airport terminal, take a moment to send up a prayer for the warmth of your surroundings and the love of those who miss you while you're gone.

Remember, there is quiet beauty out there. When given the chance, don't forget to notice.