Key Takeaways:
- Long road trips can be beneficial for the soul, providing a sense of calm and perspective.
- The gradual changes in landscape and expansive horizons can help connect the dots between places and create a sense of balance.
- Road trips can be a therapeutic way to process grief and emotions, allowing for reflection and contemplation.
- Taking time to appreciate the journey, rather than just the destination, can lead to unexpected discoveries and kindnesses.
- Driving across vast distances can remind us of our place in the world and the importance of slowing down.
Introduction to the Journey
Long road trips have a way of rejuvenating my soul, and I’m not entirely sure why. Recently, my husband and I embarked on a journey from Louisiana to El Paso, Texas, a trip that took us across the entire state. We decided to drive instead of fly, and it was a decision that proved to be incredibly beneficial. The drive allowed us to witness the gradual and sometimes sudden changes in landscape, which helped me connect the dots between different places on the map. This was not our first time making this trip, and as we headed west, I appreciated the way the skies seemed to get bigger and the horizon broadened. The expansive horizons had a calming effect on me, making me feel like the world wasn’t as hectic as it had been when everything was crowded in.
The Therapeutic Effects of Road Trips
On this particular trip, my husband and I were driving to attend a funeral for our beloved nephew. The long drive gave us time to process our grief and emotions, and I found it to be a cathartic experience. The distance between our everyday life and responsibilities seemed to help, and the road trip allowed us to create a more balanced perspective. As poet David Whyte writes, "Horizons between the known and the unknown are everywhere in our human lives, even when we refuse to lift our heads and our eyes to see them." The act of lifting my eyes to see the sun, or shielding them from the late-afternoon sun, gave me time to contemplate the mysteries of grief. I was able to reflect on the known and unknown, and the journey allowed me to process my emotions in a way that felt natural and therapeutic.
Observations Along the Way
As we drove through East Texas, I noticed that the landscape was still full of green and noise, much like the chaos of the early days of grief. In contrast, West Texas was spare, honest, and uncluttered, reminding me of the way grief can strip life down to its barest bones. The landscape seemed to mirror our emotional state, and I felt like we were climbing to say goodbye as we hit the mountains near El Paso. The journey was not just about reaching our destination; it was about the experience of getting there. We took our time, turning what could have been a brutal one-day drive into three gentle days, visiting with people we love and staying in surprising places along the way.
Unexpected Discoveries
One of the highlights of our trip was our stay at The Settles Hotel in Big Spring, Texas. The hotel was a beautiful oasis in the middle of a hard trip, and its unexpected beauty felt like a kindness. The room was gorgeous, with a stunning view that gave me even more time to consider horizons and be grateful for the chance to be there. The hotel was a reminder that places that aren’t big, fancy cities can still be wonderful, and it reinforced my belief that there is beauty to be found in unexpected places. Looking out from our 10th-floor room, I felt a sense of peace and tranquility, and I was grateful for the opportunity to experience it.
The Benefits of Road Trips
While I appreciate the convenience of air travel, I find that flying can be jarring, with the sudden change from one place to another. Driving, on the other hand, allows for a more gradual transition, and the experience of watching the landscape change is incredibly beneficial for my heart, mind, and spirit. Road trips remind me that we are small and the world is still vast, and they give me a sense of perspective that I don’t often find in my daily life. The miles gave our grief someplace to stretch its legs, and the broader horizon helped us bear it. I don’t know exactly why road trips have this effect, but I do know that they are essential to my well-being, and I will continue to embark on them whenever possible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my road trip from Louisiana to El Paso was a therapeutic and cathartic experience that allowed me to process my grief and emotions. The journey was not just about reaching our destination; it was about the experience of getting there, and the people and places we encountered along the way. The trip reminded me of the importance of slowing down, appreciating the journey, and finding beauty in unexpected places. As I reflect on the experience, I am grateful for the opportunity to have taken the time to drive across Texas, and I look forward to my next road trip adventure.