“… shackles of necessity were cast free.”
So much of life is planned and we are taught by professional planners, organizers and the many systems of “getting-things-done” that agendas lead to a hassle free existence. Thus when it comes to travel we mimic our habits and systematically work to plan our days and our every move. Yet, peeling back the derivation for the word “vacation” we find that it comes from Latin “vacare” which means to be empty or free.
The Road to Nowhere became the byword for our most recent road trip. Having traveled all the States we felt that we could “let go” and virtually drive with no destination in sight and no advanced planning. And this, for the most part, is what we did. This carefree attitude was not easy, but once settled into allowed us to better experience the road at the moment – not a future joy but an immediate, “Here it is!” Anticipation and expectation gave way to free observation. The moment it really began, on the road in Minnesota, a liberation occurred, as if shackles of necessity were cast free.
“… the best part of travel is between here and there.”
As an artist one can always say that an agenda lies beneath. That agenda is not mandated by time or place, but by inspiration and ideas. Being more ethereal such an “agenda” floats along the road and allows closer inspection and keener looks. The Road to Nowhere is really a state of mind. It’s letting go of preconceptions and prejudices and enjoying the experience. As my friend Katie Walther said, “the best part of travel is between here and there.”
Between here and there lies the road.
Recommended websites:
Katie Walther is a graphic designer. For more information visit Calico Design.
The Great American Roadside is an essay by James Agee written for Fortune in 1934. Originally it was printed alongside photographs by Walker Evans.
Hi guys, well I am tired but here I go.
The photo with the trains. “One red, one blue, one red – choo choo”.
The photo with the red car and bridge. A car’s daydream – “Well I am only a little red car and that is a very large bridge. Hmm, perhaps when I grow up I can be a big red caboose and one day travel through that big iron bridge.”
Wonderful thoughts!