ROAD TRIP ALCHEMY
I love road trips like raccoons love trash. Given the choice, I’d drive anywhere over flying. Sadly, taking six days for a short sales presentation on the East Coast isn’t very efficient (though I still run it by my wife each time, just in case). But this past week, the planets came into alignment: a road trip to Denver saved our company the high freight costs for a show.
I do a lot of silent pondering on road trips, and this trip was no exception. I spent hours contemplating why I love road trips so much. Do I actually love all that time on the road? Is it just the idea of living out Easy Rider? You guessed it: both.
THE ROAD TRIP ATTRACTION
I fell in love with the road while riding in the cab-over bed of our family’s camper. Staring out of that front window for hours watching trees and mountains go by while eating junk food, was an easy way to become a fan. Praying that a collision doesn’t throw me 300 feet from the pile of sticks that was our camper never crossed my mind.
Once I got a license and a car, it got serious. Before my 18th birthday, I’d driven across the country several times on my own. I loved every minute of those drives and cherish the memories today. I remember getting caught in an old-school speed trap in Missouri. Coming down a long grade, there were 10 or so troopers signaling batches of us to pull over. I was handed my speeding ticket and told that I had to go immediately to the courthouse to pay the fine. Maybe this was legal - probably not, but this 17 year old didn’t question it. So I joined the caravan to the old town square courthouse. After paying Boss Hogg the fine, I was left with $22. Lucky for me, it bought just enough gas for the VW to finish the trip. Scary? Absolutely. Great road trip memory? 100%
IT’S NOT A COMMUTE
If you haven’t discovered the power of road trips, you might be doing it wrong. Think of it this way. there are road trips, and there are commutes. If you find yourself constantly watching how many miles to your next stop: that’s a commute. If you strategize the time you are going to hit that certain Cracker Barrel: commute. If you book each night’s lodging in advance: sorry, you are making a commute. Commutes are fine, as they provide efficiency, reliability, and security - those are all good things.
But road trips become magical when there is the unknown, discovery, and a bit of adventure. Try an old roadside motel with no elevators or indoor hallways. The door to your room opens up to your car’s bumper. You are going to love how thick and supple those towels feel. Even better - sleep a few hours at a highway rest area. If you elude the thieves and your nap doesn’t end up permanent, you are going to love how great it feels to eventually give up on sleep, and walk for some fresh air and a metal toilet.
The magic of my early road trips came through exploring parts of the country that I’d never seen. I admit that these days it’s like mining for gold, years after early prospectors grabbed the nuggets that were just lying in the creeks. I have to be more intentional. It requires a pick and a shovel. Progress has also made the world much smaller, replacing much of the kitschy charm. But like anything worthwhile, reward only comes with intentionality. That’s why I’m offering a few road trip tips for free…
PAUL’S ROAD TRIP TIPS:
1 - Get up before the sun does. Then watch it come over the horizon while you are in the middle of nowhere. You will thank me.
2 - Never eat at chain restaurants. Get off the highway, drive down an old Main Street until you find a local diner. The food will be hit or miss, but you’ll make a new friend or two.
3 - Roll down your windows (those buttons on your armrest aren’t there for Starbucks drive-thru). You will be amazed at the Smell-O-Vision the open road provides. Do it when it’s raining for a next-level experience.
4 - Drive in silence and listen to your thoughts for long stretches. The wilderness speaks much louder than a songwriter ever could.
BUT ALCHEMY? REALLY?
Honestly now - can a road trip be magically transformative? I think so. Years ago one of them saved my marriage. Mile after mile of God’s creation will put you in your place faster than any counselor, if you let it.
I’m a believer.
