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Choices
September 10th, 2009 | Jeff Zutant
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We're back in Utah. This little wagon we've rented cruises nicely at 85mph through these salt flats. I'm listening to the latest Michael Crichton book and the narrator's voice is putting me to sleep. Jeremy is driving and we are going through what can only be described as a desolate landscape. Those old geology and earth science classes are running through my head.
This was all under water at some point but it got so hot, so fast, all that was left is the salt. Mountains that are 30 miles away look so close. The ground quivers with mirages and the heat is immense, but beautiful. Harsh and beautiful. In this place, where speed records are shattered at Bonneville, we move along steadily. We shatter no records today, but the hum of the tires drone on.
All of this surrounds me, but the things that move me are the rock messages that people have made along the roadside. Maybe years ago, someone stopped to stretch in the wasteland and had an idea. Now, there are messages of all kinds: loved one's names encircled in stone hearts, the obligatory "hi moms" and a simple peace sign that obviously took some time to create. All these images in a drowsy mind put an easy smile to my face and begin to make heading home a reality.
(I know, I know. Shlocky stuff here, but its how I feel.)
It's a bitter sweet feeling. I want to remain, but need to return. Travel, if done right, changes you and you come home different. I've felt this before, but it was made clear to me by a recent encounter with a fellow traveler. You leave bits of you where you go, as well as picking up some from the places you visit.
We, as people, are the results of our interaction with the world. Every choice produces an outcome that changes us, however slightly. Our personalities, opinions, and beliefs are all the collateral damage of the rights and wrongs that we have inflicted on society as a whole. But no regrets: Every encounter has made you the person you are. If you don't like the person, change the encounters. That was the whole goal of this trip in the first place.
I saw a bumper sticker on the back of a VW bus once that stated the following: "All those who wander are not lost." There is hope for me yet.
I have no idea what's going to happen next for me, but I think I can say that this trip has enabled me to make better choices. At least for me.
We have a couple more days on the road, but somehow this trip seems a bit unfinished. I have seen more than most and feel fortunate for that. But even now, as we scream towards the East, I can feel myself planning the next trip.
Not that this one was "planned" at all.
Related Topics: Bonneville, road trip, Utah
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Jeff Zutant | 1 Comment »
Choices
(via Facebook, MySpace, Digg, email and more)
September 27th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Jeff,
Your trip produced incredible photography. Absolutley beautiful.