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On My Mind: Going on Tour
Thursday, February 5, 2015
I’d be lying to you if I told you I didn’t have any regrets. And even though we say we desire to leave this world with “No Regrets” – I’m pretty sure most of us could make a list of things we would do differently if we could.
Some of those regrets you can do something about as you move forward in life. Others, you can’t and you have to reconcile them within yourself so that they don’t take over your life and keep you from living.
I have one I’m working on now and it won’t go back and fix anything but it will affect the way I go about living going forward.
In my adult life, I’ve lived in some wonderful places – Houston, D.C., Baltimore, Charlotte and other cities for brief periods of time when I was working on various work projects. All of the places had so much to offer, so many things to do. But, did I take advantage of those offerings? Well, no. Of course, I did things and went places, but I didn’t focus on soaking up my surroundings. After all, for many of those years, I was working crazy long hours and I just fell into my own routine. That routine didn’t make time or place for discovery.
So, over the years, I’ve kicked myself in the butt for not seeing more of Texas – not spending more time in Austin, San Antonio, Big Bend Country or tubing down the clear and ice-cold Guadalupe and Comal Rivers near New Braunfels, and letting my eyes feast on bluebonnets and indian paintbrush in the spring.
Living in D.C. which is full of just about anything you would want to do and see, I did some stuff and enjoyed some of the sights – mainly just by driving to work every day. But, one could spend months or years roaming through the Smithsonian Museums and taking all of the sites and neighborhoods in. I did a lot, but there was so much I missed.
The same is true for Charlotte and Baltimore and those other short-term places I ended up in. There were other priorities in my life and I believe I just fell into a routine of doing what was on my “To Do” list – and soaking up my surroundings was not on that list.
Things are different now. I’m ready to soak up some stuff, take it all in, and create some memories about where I am living now. So, needless to say I was thrilled when I found out about The 251 Club of Vermont. It’s a steadily growing association of people from around the world (now over 5,000 of them) interested in learning more about the Green Mountain state by visiting 251 towns and cities. The Club was suggested and founded in 1954 by Dr. Arthur W. Peach, a poet, professor, writer, and historian, who was effusive about all things Vermont. He invited “the native born and those born elsewhere but with Vermont in them” to veer from the beaten path “to discover the secret and lovely places that main roads do not reveal.”
According to 251 Club information, Dr. Peach was “committed to the idea that every corner of his home state had attractions, beauty, history, traditions and people of interest.” No doubt about that. So for an annual membership of $8, I got my little package with a map, town list and newsletters – and a website full of info to encourage me on my adventures.
The best part? This isn’t a race. There are no time limits and no assignments to turn in. It’s about checking out the larger and smaller towns and all of the nooks and crannies of the state. I am sure that along the way, I will see unbelievable sites, meet incredibly wonderful people, eat some of the best local food imaginable, and see some amazing cows and goats! And, I’ll be taking lots of photos to document my travels and help keep the memories alive. I’ll be soaking it all up and living in it.
I might have missed much in those others places I lived. That’s not what I intend to do here. The journey starts this weekend.
What about you? How much do you enjoy and soak up where you live? How do you do it and is it an important part of your life? If you haven’t been soaking it up and want to, how can you start?
8 Responses to “On My Mind: Going on Tour”
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Ann, I always love your words and wisdom. Thank you for sharing and I look forward to hearing about your journey through Vermont. Hugs,
Lisa
Thank you, Lisa!!! I appreciate your comments and I am sure I’ll be sharing some adventures going forward!
Ann – When you are ready to tour the NEK, I would love to show you my favorite haunts. -Linda
Linda… THAT will be great! I’m thinking that milder weather will be more fun to do this in and hit some of the 251 places around your area and be my first trip to the NEK!!! YAY!!!! Thank you for your offer!
Thanks, as always Ann, for making me reflect! Can’t wait to hear about your journey toward less regrets.
Thanks so much, Jone! I’m looking forward to the journey, too!!!
This rings so true for me. Growing up in Cleveland, I never really saw any of the things the city was known for. To this day, I’ve still never been to The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! Now that I don’t live there the arts scene and nightlife downtown seems intriguing. I’m also missing out on many great things in Baltimore… But that’s going to change. Just have to break the routine and go on an adventure.
Tori… never been to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame??? Next trip home, sistah! As for Baltimore… you said it… we just have to break out routines and go on adventures! You’ll have to tell me about yours!