As I sat on the side of a mountain overlooking Saint Mary Lake in Glacier National Park, I couldn’t help but stop and think about how I think it is wrong to wait until retirement to travel. The time to take a month or two off to go out and see the world shouldn’t be when you are over 65. It should be NOW.
Travel enriches your life. Helps you to see the world from a WHOLE perspective. Not a new perspective, but a compete one. See how other people live. Understand their beliefs. How the geography and weather has shaped them. How the world impacts them – and to feel the impact yourself.
I believe it gives us a greater understanding and appreciation of our impact on the Earth. As beautiful as Going to the Sun road is throughout Glacier National Park, I understand why the tribes native to this region consider it a scar across the mountains. I’m glad the road is here, but I couldn’t help but think as I stood at the exhibit at the visitor’s center just how devastating it must have been to them to see their land changed as a road was created to transport thousands of visitors a year through the park. What changes that road has brought to the land. For example, I know that the invention of plastic has brought many advances and conveniences, but I also see the damage that it does. Litter on our highways, in our fields.
I believe travel, and especially camping and hiking, have sparked a passion in me to change. To respect the Earth more. Being among the mountains gives me a sense of strength and peace. In return, I want to take care of nature. Recycle. Reuse things. Be mindful of my impact on the world.
There are no guarantees that we will live to see retirement age. There are no guarantees that once you hit 65, you can stop working. I expect that by the time I reach 65, people will have to work well past that age. I would much rather structure my life so I can enjoy the good things throughout the years, savoring them now instead of waiting for a day that might not come. I think that facing your mortality can bring about the most beautiful things in life because it creates gratitude for the present moment. A mindful presence in this world. (My friend Tracy wrote an amazing post recently on Magnificent Mortality, and if you haven’t read it – you should. She sums up everything I have been thinking so well!)
Life is SHORT. Leave an impact on the world. Get out there. Enjoy your parks, your scenic drives. Don’t wait for the future. Do it NOW. Go!!!
28 replies on “Life Is Too Short – Travel Now!”
Mary Henry-Zeek liked this on Facebook.
The way I see it, I love my work so much that I cannot imagine myself some day “retiring” and that being something I am just waiting for. I have never understood this mentality, that you slave away for 50 years and then get to live your life. Why not take time to enjoy your able body when you are young and free? Anyway, different strokes, I guess. But yes. Travel. Do it now.
Don Courage liked this on Facebook.
Nathan Reynolds liked this on Facebook.
You are certainly making the most of your experiences on this trip.
And thank you for sending me to Magnificent Mortality. Wise & poignant.
Thanks for the link to your post. You are making the most of your experiences. Thanks also for the link within it to Magnificent Mortality. wise and poignant.
Kenny and I can’t take a month or two off to travel (due to work and simply can’t afford to but we wish we could) but we do plan a longer trip (10 days or so) or a couple of shorter trips each year. That’s how we try to celebrate our anniversary – with travel.
Also, a trip can be as simple as a weekend road trip within your own state. Just get away to somewhere you’ve never been at least once a year. That’s my motto!
Nissa Nicole I know – feel the same way! I tried being a stay at home mom once, and I was still creating businesses to start & do!
Lisa White liked this on Facebook.
Last year – the New England trip were all new places to me; this year, Alaska & Seattle, next year, maybe Hungary?
Elaine Mesker-Garcia I meant to add that to my post – I know it isn’t realistic for everyone, with work, family, etc. I have been traveling for under $30-40 a day. I believe in a “do it at least once” sort of thing – like you & I did when we were younger in Europe!
Elaine Mesker-Garcia have you never been to Seattle before? I love it there! Especially in September!!!
You don’t have to tell me twice
We can’t do it months at a time, but we’re travelling 2-3 times a year. We’re off to Ireland next week!
Christine – Yes, I had the opportunity to spend 3 summers on long-term trips – Dominica, W.I. (3 weeks), Spain (2 months) and Western Europe (2 months). I just figured I needed to do it while I was young because I’d knew I wouldn’t be able to get that time off once I got a 9-5 job.
Christine – and no, Kenny has been for work but I have never made it out there. I’ve only been to Pullman, WA and that area.
For several years, Mike Tremoulet couldn’t get the time off in the summer. So very grateful he did this year!
Jodi Heinhorst liked this on Facebook.
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Elaine Mesker-Garcia liked this on Facebook.
I totally agree with Elaine Mesker-Garcia about the “in state” thing. With Dwayne’s brother having the compound in Fredericksburg, it makes it very easy for us to get away for the weekend to a beautiful area and be inexpensive for us.
Agree 100%! RT @christinebpc: Retirement is wasted on the old. Get out and travel NOW. http://t.co/ndMFX0x2QA
Jayne Maltbie liked this on Facebook.
I agree – go places. For those of us in Texas, plenty to see in Texas (the state that never ends, right Brittany Danjean Bosse? Especially with Kelly Lynn Hrncir driving?) or in Oklahoma, Louisiana or Arkansas. Matter of fact, one of my favorite family trips was a week in Yellville, Arkansas! The National River & National Forest there are fantastic!
We’re going camping in Shenandoah and the Blue Ridge Mts this holiday weekend. I think you’ve inspired us. I hope the baby likes camping. Lol
Kelly Lynn Hrncir YAY!!! Camping!!! I love it when I see families with young kids hiking and camping. It makes me so happy. (I try to avoid camping next to them though. Hahaha!)
Well, couldn’t and didn’t. There’s no real good time mid-year to step off the rhythm and take a vacation; it always fit more cleanly around CHristmas/New Year’s. That said, I’m quite happy I did make time to get away this year.
Mike, I think Christmas is a horrible time to take a 2 week vacation TRIP somewhere. You have family obligations during Christmas. That is why I’ve always been a big fan of the summer vacation. Is it maybe harder to make it work? Sure. But it allows you to travel free of family holiday commitments.