I have always enjoyed traveling and seeing new places. Generally, I spent the first 6 decades of my life largely moving in an expedient way from one place to another. When I was traveling for work (which happened with increasing frequency over my 35 year work career in higher education) I tended to optimize my time – which meant you got somewhere, did what you came to do, and then returned home as quickly as possible. This is efficient timewise – but now that I do not have to punch a clock as much – it is hard to turn off that style of travel.
When Noel and I started RVing as empty nesters in 2014 (prior to that time it had been with Tim and Andrew) we tended to over schedule when we went places. If there was something to see or do – we were there. Over the last 5 years, we have started to take a bit more casual approach to our camping travel – and we are working to “live in the moment” and allow more time to stop and see things that were not pre-planned.
This week, after attending a board meeting in Vancouver (WA) – I had a decision to make. Do I take I-84 home – the most efficient and quickest way – or do I take a bit a longer route on 2-lane state highways? The old Kirk would have taken I-84 in a heartbeat – but with an opportunity to change the way I travel – I elected to take WA-14 to Maryhill, WA and then take WA-97 to Toppenish and then I-82 home to Richland.
It was the perfect choice to make.
I enjoyed beautiful scenery, small WA towns that are on the northern side of the Columbia River, and seeing a different part of the State of Washington.
I took the time to stop and walk around in Stevenson, WA to get gas – and to use the ultramodern port-a-john at the gas station.
I enjoyed a short stroll and picture taking at the Chamberlain Lake Rest Area.
I drove through two State Parks to check out future camping opportunities – Columbia Hills State Park and Beacon Rock State Park.
I forgot about lunch as I was enjoying the scenery and solitude on the drive – and partook of a Quarter Pounder with Cheese at the McDonalds in Goldendale, WA.
I also checked off two additional counties on my quest to visit all 39 counties in Washington. I am proud to say that Skamania and Klickitat have now been checked off my list (I have two more to go).
There is a favorite slogan in the RV community “Not all who wander are lost”. Over the next few years – and on our trips – it will be more important to continue to occasionally “wander” a bit more. It may not be efficient – but it will be fun!
Kirk’s Travelogue 