Travel should contain a good dose of tangent and so does my writing. The open road spawns adventure and introspection. I relish where I’m going and I take pride of where I’ve been. Truthfully however, the path from here to there is what is most rewarding.
My family never traveled far when I was a child. I grew up in Pennsylvania and stayed in Pennsylvania. Our biggest excursions fit into a 75 mile radius. There was that one time when we crossed the border into New York. I asked my parents if they took our money! They laughed at me; nevertheless, I was serious. Once, we traveled to the Lycoming County Mall, just short of Williamsport. I was in awe over the sight of the Hadany Arch and that would be the farthest that I would travel west for the longest time. I was a naive child who’s world would remain small for a long time.
Not until I gained some “bad influence” in my life, I got my first taste of travel and exploration. I recall my first overnight trip anywhere, besides visiting relatives. I traveled to Philadelphia with friends to see a basketball game. Although I wasn’t really interested in the sport, I could not pass up the chance to see the city or discover where the turnpike ends. Not long afterward, we planned another trip. Originally, we were supposed to visit Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom. As we approached our exit, we pondered something more. I don’t recall who came up with the idea but the destination changed to Atlantic City – the farthest I ever traveled in my life! When I returned home, I caught so much hell for driving on bad tires. Perhaps my father was right in this regard, however, this trip sparked my ever increasing thirst for travel and exploration.
I owe my gratitude to loved ones that encouraged travel. They helped me break the mold and they encouraged an open mind. From this influence, I continued to grow. I am forever grateful that I married a woman who loves travel and understands its necessity. I am furthermore grateful to have surrounded myself with many interesting people who keep me enlightened by their stories.
A couple days ago, I resumed my character of nomadic explorer. While I always relish my time I at home, the time has come to start my work at Yellowstone and besides, I lust for adventure. My travel to my new job would not be complete without some tangents – some planned and other impromptu.
Destinations and finished products are good but the path from here to there is even better. Whenever I complete a project, I always look at it an ponder the ways that it could be better. For the longest time, I thought that I was a perfectionist and that I was too hard on myself. I grappled with the construct of perfection. Recently however, I discovered that it is not the finished product that I enjoy but the journey getting there. The ole adage was right! I find this true with my woodworking. When I travel, I have to explore along the way. I can be proud to call myself a wildlife professional but the work I do in between these conversations is what is most important to me. Moreover, when I critically analyze my works, aren’t I preparing for a new journey?
From flat land to city traffic, from tornado warnings to bright sunshiny days, sometimes I find myself alone and other times I am mingling with the locals. I hope to visit the Badlands and Mount Rushmore and a other tangents along the way. I’m sure that my travels to Yellowstone will be just as important as Yellowstone itself.