I went on a grand adventure yesterday with some friends. We very haphazardly planned a road trip to Charlottesville, VA and then struck out, stopping at several random and unplanned sites along the way. It took us almost eleven hours to make what should have been a 2 1/2 hour drive from D.C., and we loved every minute of it.
The Henry House at Manassas Battlefield, our first stop on the way out of D.C. Here we stopped due to a sign on the side of the highway which advertised an air show. We got to tour a restored and fully functional B-17G Bomber, and also met this fine gentleman, who was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen. This was a local winery we discovered, which we're told has the most award-winning wines in the state. Finally, after multiple stops and many hours, we made it to Charlottesville, VA to walk around and mingle with the local college kids. The town was actually much livelier than this picture might lead you to beleive, as UVA had just ended its first game of the season right before we arrived. |
All in all, it was an excellent adventure. The spontaneity of the day was what made it so exquisitely fun. We literally stopped at almost whatever we could find on our phones or by word of mouth from locals.
After it ended, we drove home late and night, and passed out at our homes, exhausted but very happy.
If you're currently leading a life of quiet desperation, you should consider doing something spontaneous and adventuresome with your friends as soon as possible. The journey is only as fun as the company you keep, and the plans you make should be wide open to the possibility of diversions and detours.
Life is too short to do only what's expected. Get out and live.