She Isn’t Restless, It’s Her Pioneer Spirit
04 Sep, 2012
Benson, Tucson, Sahuarita, Mammoth, Cascabel, Sierra Vista, and Catalina are just a few of the towns I lived growing up. And this was just in Arizona; if I added the cities my family graced in South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Oklahoma, and West Virginia, it might put you to sleep. We never stayed in one town too long. And the travel bug hasn’t left me. It’s still in my blood, in fact this is the longest I’ve ever stayed in one town.
And then I met my husband including other people like him. He had only moved twice in his life.
His roots were firmly planted in the ranch lands of Wyoming. Until we took the eight hour drive to K-Town, Nebraska. Here–where we’ve made our life, planting roots that will last a lifetime. As much I’ve grown to love Kearney, Nebraska, sometimes I get a little stir crazy.
Ask my husband, after being married to me for 13 years, he isn’t fazed when he comes home to rearranged furniture, walls being knocked down or a different living room color. Even then, moving furniture around isn’t enough for me. Every once in a while, he gets the same way, the idea of no routine, boundaries, or responsibilities consumes us.
So what do we do to cure the traveling bug and gypsy roots of mine? We get away!
Just yesterday, we came home from church; not satisfied with our Sunday routine church, lunch and naps, our eyes locked–within seconds, Chris was loading up the suburban while I was hollering at the kids to pack their bags.
Lincoln bound. Did we know where we were going? No.
Did we have an idea of where we would stay? Forget it.
What about where to eat and what to do? Not a chance.
It wasn’t that I was restless, the idea of exploring unknown territory, trying new foods, sleeping under a different roof thrilled me–well all of us. Even the kids, no fighting or “are we there yet” questions.
This platter includes the Dozo's well known Nebraska Rolls!
We stayed at the Comfort Suites, went swimming and hot tubbing. The adventure of the trip perked my kids’ interest in trying new foods. We ate at The Dozo, a GREAT sushi restaurant in the downtown Hay Market. The next morning, my need for gourmet coffee led us to a great little coffee shop before veering off the well beaten path to a garden. Had we been so focused on our destination, we would not have discovered a coy pond, dragon flies, and fountains.
My kids’ love for nature spawned a trip to the Lincoln zoo where we rubbed the noses of camels, the bellies of baby goats, and studied the intricate wings of butterflies. It was a perfect day. Random, full of life, laughter and freedom!
Tori's hand graced with a butterfly.
Tori and Elijah
Since when did becoming a responsible adult mean we couldn’t be totally random or discover new sights, sounds and tastes for that matter? The next time your walls are crowding in on you. Take a break and hit the open road. Who knows what you’ll discover about yourself and memories that will last a lifetime are waiting to be made.
You were in Lincoln, and at the zoo… we were too. Small world. Next time, give me a call… I have land your kids could run around on.