"All Journeys have Secret Destinations of which the Traveler is Unaware" (Martin Buber)

We just returned from a spring break vacation. A trip south for warm air, green grass and flowers blooming. A brief reprieve from the long winter. A much needed break from the daily routine and the stresses of our normal lives. But do vacations always give us what we need? Do they always go as planned? What is the essence of "getting away from it all?"

You can plan to see great sights. But I've found most of my favorite places are not the most prominent on the map. More often then not they were found by accident, on a whim or just by wandering. You can buy tickets for a great event. But I've found boundless entertainment value in the spontaneous works of nature, the companionship of a shared day or the intimate setting of a local performance. You can travel large with all the fancy amenities. But I've found I appreciate simple more. A picnic, a walk in the woods or a conversation with a local resident. You can plan all you want. But the real secret of travel is to let it happen.

Yes, we had some time "away from it all." We wandered. Looked less at the clock. Traveled simply. Enjoyed nature. Ate local. Explored. Talked and laughed. Found some secret destinations. Met interesting people. Traveled to places we were unaware of. So glad we added another journey. Can't wait for the next one!