I love traveling. It takes many different forms and seems to continue happening in my life.
48 States: The other day we were at some random truck stop. I am beginning to realize that truck stops are kind of cool in their own special way; always interesting people and random stuff to look at. I still have not bought any ridiculous hats, but I have come real close. We were looking at this big map trying to figure out where we were and where we were going. This trucker guy just started talking to us. I find it funny sometimes how people just start to talk and then they keep going. One sided conversations tend to come my way. Maybe because I am a good listener, at least I hope to be, thus I find myself listening to people somewhat often; people are interesting, so I usually do not mind giving of myself to them to listen. This trucker started talking and sharing his interesting life story with us. At one point he said he had been to 48 states, then he asked us if we had been to many of the states. I responded with “well I have been to almost 48 countries.” I do not think he was expecting that. He was speechless, for a second. I was not trying to brag just sharing the truth of my life. He really respected the fact that I was well traveled. He said, “…you don’t meet many people like that in places like this.” We chatted some more and then I went on to look at some random stuff at the truck stop before heading out to our RV.
Michael was his name, he was a nice guy. He reminded me that I have done something great, something so “different” than most Americans. It may sound funny but sometimes I forget why it is that I have chosen to live the way I do. Why it is that I travel. Why I choose to GO and not “settle” into “normal” life. It is hard. It is not easy to TRAVEL. But it is worth it. It is worth the money invested. The relationships that may take the toll of time apart. The alienation that comes with stepping into so many different cultures and peoples. I am BLESSED by these years that I have had. No I do not know what is next, or what the future holds…. but I am excited about the unknown. If I am honest with myself I am scared and I do not know were you are suppose to go after traveling around the world 6 times in 6 years. When I stand still long enough to remember that I have a FAITH where I can TRUST in something much bigger than me, I know my future is in HIS hands and I can simply KEEP GOING and doing the best that I can at this thing we call LIFE.
Here is a photo from the road. Check out the HAMMERS & STRINGS TOUR that I am currently on as a photo-assistant/piano mover @ http://claytonaustinlovestories.com/blog/.
Leave a Reply