Gratitude 135: Spontaneous drives to explore the unknown

Unpacked boxes still fill our basement. Odds and ends are chaotically strewn in odd places throughout the house. Sundays are our designated days to work toward order as we anxiously anticipate the day when everything has its place (and is in its designated place . . . or is that too much to ask???) We were both on task with that plan yesterday, that is until around 2pm when Richard asked me if I wanted to take a drive. Never being one to turn down a day trip with my husband, I dropped what I was doing, grabbed the camera and we hopped in the car and
headed down the road. When we reached Vermillion, OH, we decided to pull over and explore the area. Vermillion is a quaint great lake village with canals that act as roadways through portions of the town. Quaint shops, flowers hung from light poles, charming cottages and more, strongly suggest a slower, more relaxed pace of life reminiscent of days gone by. We had a delightful afternoon and when we returned home in the evening, both of us felt refreshed for having taken time off. I am grateful for a spontaneous drive to explore unknown places on a Sunday afternoon. 🙂

 

Gratitude 40: the Automobile

 

Recently we made a quick trip to another state.  He went on business; I tagged along just for the fun of it.  Since we met, Richard and I have loved traveling, both long treks and day-time excursions.  We travel by car (pictured above) so that we can stop when we feel like it, make detours along interesting side roads, or even change directions if so inspired.  Until recently I owned “my” car (as compared to “his” car).  In fact, I’ve owned a car most of my adult life.  Due to the fact that my car sat in the driveway 95% of the time after we moved to Virginia, I voluntarily sold it.  Why make two car payments each month when we were essentially using one car.  Of course, as one might have predicted, once my car sold I found that I “needed” it for a number of reasons. By now though, we are settling into being a one car household.  I don’t know any family who does not have a vehicle to transport themselves to myriad destinations for work and play.  In metropolitan areas where there is good public transport, one may not need to own their own car, but only because other vehicles are so readily available to whisk them wherever they want to go.  Automobiles have become an essential part of our lives, replacing the horse and buggy of a bygone era.  So, today I wish to express gratitude for the automobile!

Gratitude 34: Beautification

 

My husband is on a business trip and since I am on a break from my studies, I joined him in his travels.  It was a spur of the moment decision, but I am sooooo glad we are traveling together.  Road trips are one more thing we do well together!  Of course when one is traveling by car, pit stops are a necessity, and most states have kindly provided places to pull off the road so the weary traveler can take a little R&R from driving. Rest areas are islands of loveliness anymore, with beautiful landscaping and picnic tables, play areas and walkways for pets. I photographed these flowers at a rest area in Ohio.  When I got out of the car, they are the first things I noticed.  Lovely.  I am grateful for beautification efforts anywhere.