Spontaneity: A Welcome Companion

Came across this campsite by pure chance, and the view was unbeatable.

It's no mystery that I do enjoy the comfort of knowing what to expect when traveling, but there's something exhilarating about pulling out a map, picking a destination, turning up the tunes, and punching the gas. On both our American and European road trips, our "plan" consisted entirely of a starting point and a final destination. Everything else in between was a blank slate, and the pages of my travel journal were thirsty for the tales yet to be told. Jeff and I have been on our fair share of adventures on the road, and some of our most vivid travel memories have been born from our least calculated itineraries. In fact, we might even argue that getting lost - truly finding yourself so far off the map, at dusk, when there's seemingly no sign of life for miles around - is the best way to discover what you never knew was right in front of you.

While careful planning and structured schedules are good when you want to hit the "must-see" attractions, a little dose of spontaneity can go a long way. This article from National Geographic Traveler speaks to the rhythm of travel. If you have been bitten by the travel bug, chances are you have a laundry list of destinations you must check-off before the close of 2012. At some point along the way, why not leave your map at home? Take a wrong turn. Get lost in the crowd and see where you end up. What you find might surprise you and inspire you, and you'll have no choice but to tell one of your most memorable stories to a captivated audience.

"The Jazz of Travel" by Daisann McLane