The desert environment is very conducive to eliciting feelings and thoughts that make us yearn to know more about our place in relation to the passing of time - you can't look at the sand and sky and rock formations without noticing that they've been there for eons and will remain long after we're gone. It's like looking out at the sea or up at the redwoods. How do we fit in? Do out lives matter? Do our careers/philosophies/relationships serve us in our spiritual development? Reading this, I found myself kind of hoping you'd keep going, see where the road took you, let the conference go on without you. Not the responsible thing to do, maybe, but I bet it would have been a memorable, enriching experience!

Julie J. Exline Ph.D.
I was bummed out and burned out. After a prolonged period of job stress, I was relieved to have something to look forward to—a few hours to explore the American Southwest on the day before an academic conference. I arrived in mid-afternoon, rented a cheap subcompact, and took off.
Once outside the city limits, I could feel myself start to relax. And it wasn’t long until I started to find that rhythm of the open road—a feeling so potent in the Southwest, with its wide-open vistas and exotic rock formations beckoning on the horizon. With the radio blaring classic rock, I felt a sense of freedom that I hadn’t felt in such a long time. I don’t know how long. Too long.
The only problem was that I didn’t want to go back. I didn’t want to go the conference. I didn’t want to meet new people, carry on conversations, and overload my brain with information. All I wanted to do was to keep driving. I wanted to keep going, farther into the desert, putting mile after mile between me and everyone else. This desire was so intense, it didn’t feel like something I merely wanted; it felt like something I needed. It seemed so urgent, pressing…desperate. I had to get away.
***
I did eventually make it back to the hotel that night, and I went to the conference as planned. But looking back, I wanted to understand what was going on inside me that gave rise to this powerful urge to get away. Was this desire a life-giving impulse or a dangerous one? What was my mind (or my soul, or my subconscious) trying to tell me through this cry for escape?
Taking a closer look, I can see that I was running from at least 3 things:
- People. I needed a break from people. As an introvert, I need a lot of time by myself and tend to feel drained quickly by social interactions--especially with strangers. Tired and out of sorts, I didn’t feel ready to spend several days in conversation-heavy contact with others. Part of me felt guilty for not wanting to be around these people. But it was nothing personal; I hadn’t even met them yet. I just wanted some time by myself. To prepare myself for this intense social interaction, I first needed to recharge my batteries with some solitude. (For more on introversion, see Susan Cain’s Quiet.)
- Tasks and “shoulds.” I took my trip during a busy time at work, when I was feeling overwhelmed and fatigued. My life felt like one big to-do list. And this really is a problem, because at some level, self-control is a limited resource. If we face constant demands to stay on task, whether through work, dieting, or responding to the needs of others, we become depleted and find it difficult to engage in more self-control. Having depleted myself through overwork, I felt like I just couldn’t cope any more. To be at my best, I really did need some time to relax. (For an overview of research on self-control and depletion, see Roy Baumeister & John Tierney’s Willpower.)
- Negative thoughts. Before my trip to the Southwest, I was in a dark frame of mind, one clouded by worry, irritation, and self-pity. My scenic drive did help: Between the dramatic landscape and the pounding rock music, I was swept up in the moment, carried away from my worries—but only for a few hours. Although the drive was refreshing, in the long run I wouldn’t have been able to escape my brooding thoughts through a change of scenery or location.
***
Do I regret that I didn’t drive off into the sunset that night, making the maverick choice to blow off the conference entirely? Well...I guess not. But my wishy-washy response is an accurate reflection of my mixed feelings. The conference was the main reason for the trip, and I had made a commitment to attend. But I definitely wasn’t at my best. My yearning for freedom and space had only been partly met. It was like the tip of the iceberg. Those few hours of solo driving, though precious, weren’t enough to refuel me inside.
Looking back, I'm very glad that I took the time to go for that scenic drive. And I'm glad that I was alone, too. The memory of that solo drive is one that I treasure.
But I could have used another free day before the meeting. I would have benefited from more time to collect my thoughts, take a break from my to-do list, and enjoy the beautiful setting.
I also could have used better self-care before that trip, along with more opportunity to process my thoughts and feelings. Had I done so, I might not have been feeling so fragile when I arrived.
Self-care often seems like an extravagance. It can seem indulgent, perhaps even selfish. But I’m gradually learning just how important it is. Ultimately, what I want is a life that is centered in love. But if I’m going to be able to really love others—to value them, to listen, to respond to their needs effectively—I need to attend to my own needs as well.
Thanks
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts...and I definitely agree that the desert environment brings up these big existential questions.
A part of me wishes, too, that I would have just kept going. In this situation the commitments seemed too important to forego, since I was scheduled to speak at the conference. But if a similar opportunity crops up again, I just might keep driving!
Thanks again. -Julie
To Thinktoomuch...
Your comment to the article, "Looking for an Escape? The Impulse to Run Away from It All" was spot on. It was exactly what I started thinking mid-way through the reading of the post. Thanks for articulating "my" unexpressed but heartfelt thoughts.
wow
So much of what you have written has resonated with me; feeling like i am depleted of my willpower, feeling like my life is just one big "To Do" list, and feeling that strong urge to escape.
Feeling the Same
Understand your feelings completely. In a demanding job where the salary is great, but my heart is no longer in it, often I feel the urge to just drive and drive and start a new life somewhere.
Destination Unknown
I am 47 years old and living with Chronic Lyme Disease. I have been suffering with this since the late 80's and now find myself in a wheelchair. I am receiving proper treatments finally and feel as if I am having an awakening of sorts. The realities of what has happened to me, my life and the lives of my loved ones is at times devastating. I find myself many times lost and so disheartened by the medical community when I realize this never had to be. My husband is a different person and life has become what I now believe is Hell. I have not driven in 6 years and two weeks ago found a way to get myself, my luggage and my wheelchair into my vehicle and off I went with no destination in mind. I drove until I couldn't drive anymore and found myself at the ocean around 1 in the morning. I found a place to stay and spent the night. I never relaxed until I got myself transferred to the bed...and I felt a great calm come over me. Then an excitement at what I had just accomplished as hard as it was. The sense of independence again was the best thing for me. The next day I spent my time enjoying the beach from a distance and just crying...for what I am not even sure. The last thing I wanted to do was head home...but I did not have a choice. Not even a week later I found myself in the same place mentally...and again I found a way into my vehicle and took off. I was not able to go as far or stay away for the night because I had hurt myself trying to lift that heavy wheelchair. I also realized how vulnerable I really am all alone out there...but I don't think I can stop it. I am already feeling that need to run again and it's only been a few days since my last escape. I also can't go right now due to the injury from my last run but I know as soon as I stop hurting I will find a way to go again. Reading your article I too wish you just kept going...I don't know what I am looking for but that urgent need to get far away is just too strong to resist.
alone
The times when I feel like that it's usually because I want to be alone. Perhaps you need to consider living alone if at all possible. It's very freeing!
driving running
Hi gottagogo do u still leave all the time do u still want to travel i think its awesome that u do and of u ever want a travel partner im here.
Spring!
Hi all, it's Spring! A good time to renew and to do some traveling. I've enjoyed emailing with a few of you, and I wish everyone all the best. Kelly down in south Texas, be sure to stop and smell the Bluebonnets, you live in the only place they grow! Hope, who offered to be a travel companion -- where are you located? Bob, who shared honest and painful thoughts of leaving it all behind by suicide -- I understand the feeling, but maybe first try a long trip somewhere. It's amazing how much it can change your perspective. Recently I've had friends go to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Good luck to everyone!
You Are Not Alone.
I am a 48 years old man unmarried due to many unsuccessful relationships.
Even with no family obligations, I do still want to run away from this world of people. Running away from loneliness. Ironic because we can never really run away. Or can we?
You are not alone
I really never comment on anything but I feel exactly the same way! I am 40 yrs old a good job but I feel so lonely. My job is stressful and I always want to to just pack up and leave. When you leave you may just be lonely to where ever you go. Terrible feeling! I just want to be happy and I really have no idea how to. I think to myself I have a good job, new car and I live in NYC what the hell is wrong with me?!
Essence of life
I am not going to try to give any advice but rather I would suggest that both of us help think of away we can get out of our current situation.
Have you watched the movie-"into the wild"?
You are not alone
Ummm yea I saw that movie. It's is a little extreme I think lol
Let's think of other ways to get away
Thanks!
Hi - I really identified with your article, as I have definitely found myself wanting to 'run away' and escape, and have indulged in some rather unproductive ways of escapism... like snacking or playing games which although distract me from the stress at hand, don't help feel me feel any better! You are absolutely right in needing to reflect on WHY you feel the need to escape - it's a little alarm that something is not right, and what can be done to alleviate the situation or how to deal with it.
Hiking for ever
Every year or so I yearn deeply for "leaving it all behind" for at least a week or two, and wish it was 2 months at least. The occasion is usually also a conference were I get an opportunity to travel. It's then when I look forward to the conference - I like conferences, but it's really mainly because I wait for the end of the conference and the beginning of hiking for days in a row. Hiking in the mountains, the Alps or one time the Pyrenees for 10 days or so is something I can dream about the whole year. It feels almost like the only thing that keeps me alive. And indeed it is never enough. 10 days of intense hiking wears one out and makes one strong but it's gone every time way too fast and always felt like just a taste of what it could be like. So I want it longer, much longer. But I simply can't just run away because other lives depend on me, those of my kids, the need to keep the job. Taking the kids along worked few times when they were little, but these teens aren't really much interested in hiking - neither was I as a kid. But then, I both love and fear the day when they are actually independent and won't need me anymore, the time when I could be free to hike forever. I don't really believe I would actually hike "forever". But I wish to find out how much I could live a half nomadic life. Hike from spring until late summer, live more or less like a gatherer (mushrooms for example), return to some shelter for the winter, could be a little apartment or simply a hut somewhere close enough to civilization: it has libraries, coffee shops, conferences, and there's work I can do. How much would I really need to live if all fits in a backpack or on a bicycle trailer: Small laptop, a decent cell phone with GPS and a tent. I can still work building computer software and developing technology, do research, and work on other ideas, like most people I think best while moving or hiking or doing gardening work.So I could keep hiking and and write it all down, ideas and software and all, just when it's right on my own pace. I could probably live on less than 750 bucks, without a mortgage and utilities, without paying rent, just money for food and equipment, and the occasional cheap hotel. Forget about health insurance.
If enough others would do the same, there wouldn't even be the idiocy of being disconnected to "civilization". The new civilization would be hiking half the time. But extend it further, if no one would stay settled, and the majority is "hiking" what would that be: Total desperation, cataclysm of mass migration. The end of times. We may have to get used to that if the planet is continued to be destructed.
The real reason I want to run away and hike is to return home with a better idea how to live.
Urge for going
I relate to this so deeply. I feel trapped and stuck, and I dream of just leaving. Desert places attract me the most -- Australian outback, Patagonian desert, and of course the incredible American desert southwest, which I am so lucky to live near. Places like Canyonlands and Chaco Canyon are so healing for the soul, at least a burned-out soul like mine. I'm tired. I want to simplify the hell out of my life. Once long ago I saw a guy living out of a camper in Northern New Mexico. Or think Paris, Texas. I have so many responsibilities and demands on my time and life feels like one giant to do list. A few more years till kids are out of high school and then I'm gone. Thanks for all of these comments.
Did anyone go
Was just wondering if anyone here just went..and if it was all you thought it would be?
Grass wasn't greener
Hi Kelly,
I hope to give you some insight into what happened with me. 2/22/2016 I posted here that I wanted to take my wife and leave everything else about my life behind. I wanted to run away to the mountains and live a simple life for once.
We tried, not a huge effort, but enough to test the waters. We rented a place, 400 people in the city, 1 hour from the closest "city". We did nothing for a little while, just drove/explored etc. as well as looked for jobs. Nothing available since it was a small tight knit community.
We found that we missed many details of our lives. We went back to our house since we didn't sell it, as well as going back to our jobs. It was essentially a long vacation.
Since May of this year I have been severely struggling with suicidal thoughts, and in June I started keeping a daily log of what triggered the thoughts, what had happened that day etc... I think going and finding out my big plan was not actually realistic made my reality seem so much more unconquerable and intolerable. Knowing I'm stuck here and I just have to deal with it sucks. The big one. And I can't do a damn thing about it. I've read lengthy reports on suicide and I feel confident that I will eventually take my own life, but I'm dragging that out as long as I can. My struggle is unique, as each of ours is, and I hope yours does not lead you down a hopeless road.
Please be well, and take care of yourself. Moments of happiness should be cherished, and moments of sorrow should be appreciated but released.
Thank you
Thank you Josh for your reply. I'm sorry for your sadness and appreciate everything you said. I hope you choose to keep fighting. I am not sad so much as I feel a longing. I hope your daily logs will help you find your trigger and hope to hear from you again:)
I Feel That Suicidal..
Hi Josh,
I know exactly where you are coming from.
Can I suggest something instead of living with small civilisation?
Leave completely. Totally. No more human contact. Watch the movie "Into The Wild". So at the end of your life's journey, if you die, you die either of hunger or of cold. Either way it sounds better than deliberately taking your life.
You can reach me here for more discussion if you want. I am already planning to do that already but in a warmer climate.
ericmasaomi@gmail.com
I completely relate as an
I completely relate as an introvert whose jobs require I constantly talk to people and buck up to perform daily. Right now I have been fantasizing that I could check out for six months and just go do something completely different, all by myself. Kids are grown and gone, my husband would cope, but I'd need to bring my three affectionate dogs.
Driving away for the day with great music has always been my medicine, too.
I have a really great life, a great relationship with husband and live in a beautiful, quiet and scenic area.
But still — alone time is both necessary and scarce.
Thanks
Thanks for sharing about your experience! --Julie
Freedom!
I have just come across this site and it really hits home for me. I have and still am going through the year from Hell! Caring for my father in law, my mother passing away, subsequent work and now financial stress has been 2014 for me. I have run away from home walking the streets in the clothes I have on with no money, only to return when tired, sore and hungry. This has resulted in me becoming somewhat distant from my wife who craves security. Anyway, a computer problem last Tuesday was the final straw. My wife was out and the father in law asleep, so I methodically packed a bag, camping gear, collected the credit card and drove away in my father in law's car. No destination known, I just drove. I ended up in my hometown and stayed with my sister for 3 days. During this time I went around to my old school, homes and farms with no one to tell me when and where to go. My switched off mobile (cell) was locked in the boot (trunk) of the car. I finally came home after 5 days. That was a week ago and all I think about is where was I this time last week! I cannot think, work or talk to ANYONE. I need that drive again. This has been the worse time of my life and even my wife of 35 years says I can go again, but she will come with me. I don't want that, I want peace and quiet with freedom to come and go. Our two children are married, kids and live away. I have always loved my work. (insurance industry for 42 years) I am 58 years old - have I had a melt down? What can I do to bring back the spark of life?
John--thanks for sharing your
John--thanks for sharing your story. I'm glad that you got the time away--but it's hard to know much time away we really need in some situations. i don't have any easy answers to offer, and i don't know if it would help, but just FYI, my most recent post addresses some of these issues, too. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/light-and-shadow/201410/what-do-when-your-soul-screams-enough
Escape
This article pretty much summed up what i am feeling. I recently spent 16 days in Costa Rica, and I feel like that was just my "tip of the ice berg". Now all I can think of is leaving and travelling and not having to deal with the crappy stress I deal with everyday at work.
Only for my kids
At this time, I honestly think my two adopted children are the only thing keeping me from running away. I don't know where. I have no plan. Neither of those things matter to me, either. Living with treatment resistant depression, medication only prevents me from being immensely sad all of the time, but not from a general sadness. I am tireD and angry most of the time, and the energy I need to pretend that I'm not tired and angry just makes it worse. My marriage has been loveless and sexless for over 5 years. If not for my kids...
Run away
John. I truly feel your pain. I am in the process of adopting a beautiful little girl that I am soooo in love with. Problem is my marriage is loveless and sexless and also has been for about 5 years. My wife does not work and has been playing with school that I have paid for over the last 5 years as well. I have told my older daughter that I feel trapped and do not know what to do about it.
Contact and support?
Hi Zachary. Thanks SO much for the reply. If you are ok with it, I would like to chat for venting, support, etc. my email is johnelliott1970@gmail.com.
Please don't. ..
Zachary, as the oldest daughter with whom my dad shared his troubles with...please don't put this burden on your daughter. It's just too much for us to bear. It's so hard being torn between two parents. And it confuses the family dynamic.
And UGH!!! As a stay at home mom. Please don't say that we don't work.
And finally. ..Please don't adopt that precious little girl until you get your emotional health back on track.
Try couple's therapy. It worked for my husband and I. By the way, I was exactly where you are. With talk therapy and meds for me, we are happier now that when we were first dating!
Truly wishing you and your family all the best!
Distrught
My childhood was awful. We were broke, dysfunctional, angry and misguided. My father took me fishing one day. He took me fishing and placed me in the middle of train trestle. I was subsequently hit and it shattered many bones in my body. You would think that would make someone stop being an immature alcoholic but it didn't. My mother was essentially unemployable and very angry. Her need was to be alone with s box of white Zinfandel on the refrigerator. You would think that after your son nearly died one would protect the child. A man associated with my Boy Scout troop asked to keep me overnight on a fishing trip. I had only met the man once briefly but true to her misery she let me go fishing him. He got me drunk at the age of 11 and sexually abused me. My little sister had cystic fibrosis and died. Isolated and sitting alone at the lunch table at school u knew that my childhood was over. The anxiety grew to a point where today it's unimaginable. My sadness is too much. I have destroyed every relationship I've ever had. I really want to run away and die. I have two wonderful children. They keep me alive. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 25. I'm a mess and becoming unemployable. I'm terrified and lonely
YES!! FREEDOM!!!!!
im a 47 year old male! And ever since I was alittle boy! There has been this small pull inside me! An craving of being free from this world! It happens when I want out! Just to pack my backs and leave everything behind me!! Just get in my car! And shut the door! Put on some good music on and GO!! See what's around the corner! Not sure where I'm going!! But just go!! I look around at the people,and I have nothing in common with any of them!! I need peace and quiet time for my self!! It's inside of me! This urge!!!!! Pushing out!! I think about all the time. What would it be like to go!! No more worries no more problems just me and the road!!! Sunshine on my face and wind thru my hair!! This big piece of calm and happiness over my heart and soul! To be free like a sorrowing eagle! No body to answer to. This is going to happen real soon!!!!
escape
Howie!
You and I share that same urge to run away that started at a very early age. To this day, and I'm a decade older than you, I STILL have this urge to just run off and never come back. In kindergarten I jumped the fence and wandered home. All through the rest of elementary school I had this constant urge to walk out of the room. Many of my report cards used to say "spends lots of time looking out the window". At this stage in my life I'm STILL wanting to walk away--more like drive away. It's constant battle. I know it's very impractical because the responsibilities have piled up and I don't have tons of money. I get a little relief when I can run away to Palm Desert for a weekend, but then I have to come home. The older we get the more complicated life becomes. But at least I had the good sense (actually it was not a conscious decision) to get married and have kids! Then I'd really had the urge to escape. Let us know how you are doing.
Just the same
I feel just the same. Most of the time I feel like I need to start
running and not stop until there are no more sounds of cars,
planes, trains or people. I feel so trapped right now that I want
to scream most of the time. Everything and everyone seems
fake. I just don't need or want that. I don't need the newest cell
phone or computer or keep up with whatever is going on with
facebook. I do my very best to stay away from people at all
cost. You should have keep driving. I know once I am able I will not stop until I can breath again.
35 and dying to RUN
I'm the head of my house hold and business owner and I want nothing more than to run... My son is 15 and still has 3 years to go in high school but I'm finding it harder to be patient every year that passes. I own my home and have several pets but to be honest, I just want to leave it all behind. My husband is as needy as a child and I do all the home repairs, cooking and cleaning too. I'm sooooo over the "American Dream"..
American dream
I am 36. I have been when the same man for 16 years. We have 7 children and while he climbs the corporate ladder I stay home with our girls. I lost myself a long time ago in this American dream. I live my husband and my children very much, but I just want to be alone and I want to come and go as I please and do what I feel without asking for permission. I have a conference this weekend and all I want to do is keep driving and skip it. Right now I'm sure I will do just that and come home the next day. I want to go to the beach or lake far away and then do some hiking the next day. I'll come home, but only because my family needs me.
Getting Away From The Same Old Crap
I feel stuck. I've never felt as stuck in a rut as I do now. I know I could do so much more but there's not many opportunities where I live. I have been away, studied and seen places but moved back 7 years ago due to a mixture of circumstances and its been a very difficult few years. I've done much soul searching and I know I need a life different to this. To be honest, I've always known it but I've been lucky in a sense to have experienced a little of what I need. It seems very far off some days and others it doesn't but my confidence is fragile. Like today, being belittled during training for a new job where I know I did little wrong and it made it worse because I stop up for myself. Life can be shit but it can also be amazing. I try my hardest to get where I need to be but I don't always have the energy and sometimes I think of others needs before my own. Maybe I'm blabbing but I'm fed up. Truly fed up and there's no need for it.
re: Lost - Hopeless - Worn out
I'm a 49 year old male. I come from a great family, had a wonderful upbringing and have been lucky to have had a number of wonderful experiences in life. I grew up in a place where it seemed that being a doctor or lawyer were the only 2 choices. Neither felt right for me as I have too much of a creative drive and need to create my own life, purpose and direction with passion. I don't regret my life choices yet find myself at this stage feeling totally lost, kinda empty and at the end of anything fulfilling involving any teeny tiny bit of happiness. I have 2 businesses that I manage and the stress of everything has gotten to the breaking point. I feel as though, as many of you, that all I'd like to do is hit the pause button and leave. Drop everything, tell everyone to FOff and be/feel young again with no worries. Yes, I know, we all do. I want to feel free again and happy. But with too many responsibilities and bills, that's an impossible choice as the end result would just be catastrophic and only cause my problems to be bigger as I don't have a million dollar (or anywhere close) runaway money account. I want life to be good again. I work 15 hours a day...just lost my GF due to her 14 year son who's nothing but a problem of which I cannot let 'him' into my house. Having just lost my father to a very fast rapid killing form of cancer (he died within 3 weeks of anyone knowing he had cancer at 73) I feel as though MY time left is short...I'm guessing 20 years max...I feel as though whats in front of me is the same endless stream of shit, stress, frustration etc. I'm very good of keeping the outward appearance happy and I am a half glass full kind of person but inside I want out. I want to start over.
Glad I found this Blog - I'm relieved
It's almost 4am and I could not sleep. The Urge encompassing my spirit. I had finally decided to plan my escape. As I thought about what words to Google. I looked up a few definitions. Refugee, then realized no that is not it. The autofill came up with a few suggestions. To shorten the story. I made my way here. I read the blog. Immediately less tears began to fall. Then I read the comments. Less tears. They actually dried up. I said to myself. I like the beach. I like the dessert. Why run? I'm going to plan. I have two dogs whom I can't just disappear on. And my mom is sickly I can't worry her. Last I have a very faithful, dedicated, strong, supported son. I can't do him that way. I'd just die if he did that to me. I thought to myself. What the hell am I thinking? Why run when I can just plan a mini vacation. Do it the healthy way. No guilt involved. So happy I made it here. I'm back in my right mind. Now I can go to sleep and snore just as loud as my dogs or doing now. I will do this the right way. Thank you all for sharing your stories. The tears have dried up. Thank God Amen! Take Care all of you. Simone
Chat, support?
Hi everyone. It has been really helpful to read all of these comments, and know that I, that we, are not alone. Is anyone interested in chatting or emailing?
Me too.
Ive been ready to run for so long.. some day soon:))
running
That was a very sad post you elicited from the person who said he's on the road to suicide. I wish there was something we could do. I posted in this thread a few years ago, and have been reading the other posts as they come in. I don't think running is ever what we imagine. For some reason, I always wonder which part of the country people are in. I grew up on the east coast but live in Colorado now and love it beyond words. Where are you Kelly?
running
Hi Mark:) yes, i agree with you. I hope we can lift his spirit somehow. Im from Texas, which might explain why I love the open road.. And I agree with you about Colorado too.. Beautiful. You say its been a few years since your first comment, how are you now, if you dont mind me asking?
Running
Kelly,
Much better of late. I find that small changes can make a big difference. I don't have to vanish to Patagonia or the Australian Outback for limitless amounts of time. Spending less time at work, and being under less stress, and doing the things that keep me sane (we all know what those things are for us) all make a big difference. A week away can be great. Bagging it all and just taking off is a very seductive fantasy, I have it a lot. But I don't think it really solves all that much because we always take ourselves with us wherever we go.
I know what you mean about Texas. The allure of the open road is strong there, I think hitting the road and starting over rand reinventing yourself is part of the American frame of mind. That movie Paris, Texas is kind of haunting. I traveled through west Texas and I love road trips, just driving.
Tell me more about your situation. Mark
Road trip
Not much about me is really different than most, I guess, married young. Very young. Now in my early 40s, my 3 children are almost out of the house. My youngest is a senior and will go to college next year, and I, like most people have worked hard for over 20 years and dream of being free and running along a beach never to be heard from again. Pretty normal.. Right? :))
Hittin' the Open Road
Right. Seems quite normal to me. You should do it, you have 1 year before the nest is empty. Except for the part about never to be heard from again. You might wanna leave that part open, you might wanna go back home after a while. Or, if your husband shares your dream, the two of you could just take off for some open-ended travels.
Escape
I suppose you are right, Mark. I wouldn't go away forever. But traveling is something I guess just keeps me dreaming. I just enjoy seeing new things. But no husband anymore, so ill probably just go somewhere I've never been in a year or so for a long vacation:) Sounds fantastic:)) Where is the coolest place you've traveled?
getting away from it all
Kelly,
Great question. There are so many places, and it depends on what you're looking for, the cost, whether you want to work (teach English or something), how long you want to stay, etc. etc. Places that come to mind include Columbia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Greece and Thailand. What places appeal to you?
Mark
Hi Kelly, Have you gotten
Hi Kelly, Have you gotten away for a while yet? I saw a new post on this thread and was reminded of our emails. Hope all is going well! Mark
still here:)
Hi Mark! Im still here.. But when my daughter goes to college next fall... Watch out:) How are you?
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