"Well, east coast girls are hip..."

I was walking up the alley that runs between our parking deck and downtown. Sandwiched between dirty city walls, I gazed up for a glimpse of blue sky. As I returned my focus to the busy street ahead, the scent of food was carried on a breeze. I was glad to be headed to lunch, but another thought also stirred in my brain. For some reason, that split second reminded me of adventures in Louisiana. Then I thought of hot dog vendors in NYC. The Varsity, even. Milledgeville is hardly what one would consider urban, but it brought to mind encounters with the rush of a busy city. All cities have their bustling moments. Even the administration section of Cumming resembles Atlanta between the hours of 11:00 and 1:00. People scurrying about in suits, briefcases in tow. They gesture, deep in conversation while crossing the street to one of the few downtown eateries. Cars back up beyond sight at each red light. Today made me want to travel. I'm not even so sure I want to hit the big cities. It'd be nice just to say I've been there, but more than anything, I just want to experience having experienced more of this country. I'm grateful for my brief trip across the Atlantic, but I can't really fathom globe trotting unless I've first taken in the sights and sounds of my own homeland. I realize that it's highly unlikely that I will ever travel extensively, but who knows? Maybe one day when the kids are out of school, my husband and I will take a week or two off of work and create our own massive vacation...family members in tow. I know. I'm dreaming. But it never hurts to have dreams.

I need a vacation...