A Wilder Life

In July of 2013, my friend Meg and I were in the middle of a long midwestern road trip and found ourselves enjoying a pint of beer that cost $4.50 in downtown Joplin, MO. Having lived in Boston for 10 years at this point, finding a $4.50 beer at a local bar in Boston was as unlikely as finding a person who believed Peyton Manning to be decent Quarterback. Since I found myself in what seemed to be a fairy tale land of beer - I posted on Facebook about this grand discovery.

Shortly after my post a friend from high school messaged me saying that she thought I “lived such an exciting life” and this took me by surprise. Of all the things I’ve posted since joining Facebook in 2007:

Helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon,

Camels in the Sahara,

Igloos north of the Arctic Circle,

Tortoises in the Seychelles

My $4.50 pint of beer is the only post that has inspired the phrase “exciting life!”

As someone who excessively reads travel blogs and travelogues - I quickly succumb to the marketing temptation of diminishing travel experiences that are not commonly promoted by the travel industry. I find myself embarrassed that I’ve yet to visit Southeast Asia, South America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Emily Dickinson’s house, the list could go on and on and on. All too often while reading about travel, my love of learning more about the world and myself somehow becomes a source of shame and embarrassment. My life doesn’t seem that exciting when compared to other fellow travelers.

Meg and Mindelynn in Sioux Falls, SD

Going back to July 2013, Joplin, Missoui - the reason for our long midwestern road trip was to visit various homesteads from the Little House on the Prairie books that we dearly loved as children. We had just visited Laura and Almanzo’s Home in Mansfield, MO and were en route to their homestead near Independence, KS.

We were inspired by the travelogue "The Wilder Life" by Wendy McClure and were indulging in our love of all things Laura Ingalls. What we were learning about the story behind the books was fascinating, memorable and honestly - I will never forget the feeling of seeing Pa’s fiddle! In addition, talking to the people who work at the sites taught me a great deal about the history of westward expansion, feminism, libertarian ideology, indigenous people and the list can go on.

All too often I find that people in the travel industry - bloggers, magazines, books, agencies, television shows, etc. do not highlight this type of travel. Then when someone takes a trip that is life changing to them - they are hesitant to share their experiences with the same enthusiasm as someone who just visited a place that Rick Steves said is a “must see.” I know I have been guilty of this.

Exciting travel can happen in places like Joplin, MO and I’m so grateful to my high school friend for teaching me this lesson. I believe that any trip which provides life changing experiences, teaches us new things about the world and creates life long memories should be celebrated and shared.

So as we travel - let’s celebrate the whole trajectory of “Far and Wide.” Traveling to Joplin, MO is certainly a much farther distance for me than traveling to New York City. However, I don’t think that the concept of “Far and Wide” needs to be gauged by physical distance. I believe that life changing travel can happen in close vicinity as well. For example, in 2023 traveling “Far and Wide” for me means:

Visiting the Frederick Law Olmsted Historical Site,

Trying a new curry at a restaurant and at a higher spice level - Egack!,

Reading more Edith Wharton and visiting her house, The Mount,

Stop walking when I see a sunset across the Charles River and enjoy the view.

These experiences may not make popular travel lists, but for me I know they are unique times that will enrich my life. I hope that as this blog develops it can be a space where all types of travel can be celebrated for the ways it changes us into the people we are becoming and for me - this is Super Exciting!

So in 2023 - please share, post and celebrate, your travels and experiences no matter how Far or Wide they occur from your immediate home. Also - please know that when I learn of your experiences I am thinking “You live such an exciting life!” and I wish we could share a $4.50 pint of beer together.