Hit the road jack.

"Up with the sun, gone with the wind

She always said I was lazy

Leavin' my home, leavin' my friends

Runnin' when things get too crazy

Out to the road, out 'neath the stars

Feelin' the breeze, passin' the cars."

There are many reasons to be on the road. Some have to do with escape, others have to do with making money…I am sure there are dozens in-between.  Whatever the reason, there is something about seeing and being a "part of the journey," no matter where it takes you in life.

This past week most of my family has been away from home; everyone except my self and our dog, Cash. My venture each day was to Chicago and back with a side trip last weekend to Sandwich, IL—-I went to take a few photos of barns. 

I was not around back at the turn of the century—not that last one—the one before it. But it must have been both exhilarating and frightening at the same time, to walk away from the farm, the city or where you called home to discover what was "out there." For many, I am sure they found out it was nothing like they had imagined or wanted to be a part of; for others it was probably the greatest thing to happen to them.

As part of my job responsibilities, I travel. Some would say traveling around the Midwest is anything but glamorous, but think about something—if I traveled to all of the exotic places in the world, and had to work while I was there, what would be the difference between Des Moines and Dubai? The only differences I can come up with are—jet lag, air miles earned, and missing out on family activities. (I have missed more than a few.) So, if air miles are worth it—hit the road.

If you have seen the movie, "Up in the Air" you get an understanding of what a "road warrior" is all about. It's learning the tricks of getting through security faster, having meals alone, and if you're really lucky, earning some perks to share with your family. The perk that I use most are the air miles—sometimes the free hotel nights. 

Recently on a flight back home, I met two people on my Southwest flight heading from Minneapolis to Chicago; one was a man, the other a woman. Both were road warriors, however one made the decision that family was more important than the road and elected to leave consulting and take a job closer to home. It was the guy. He had lived in California and for a long period of time, as he described it, "I passed through our home to the next location." He made good money (I believe him) but had a "bad" life. 

The woman worked for the Hard Rock Hotel chain and was literally on the road 5+ days a week. Three marriages down and one on the way, she was trying to figure out if it was all worth it?  At the end of the flight—she said, "it was." I was surprised by her response but I suspect this is just who she is and who she will be until her last flight.

I don't travel nearly as much as these two people did and/or do—but I can say, when my family is out of town, I get a real taste of what it must be like when I am gone. It's just plain weird. 

The photo above was taken on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. For some reason, it reminded me of how glamorous it is to travel. Sit, wait, stand in line, and wait. Ahh…the beauty of travel.

Thanks for stopping by.