THE DEPARTURE 4/24/08

Rare experiences rescue our lives from the ordinary. Sort of a truism, yes, but essential nonetheless. How forgettable life would be—how easily days and weeks of work would blur together into years of normalcy—without something unusual to break it all up. You don’t remember last week’s conference call, but last year’s trip to Paris? The road trip you took in Spain? That hike in the Rockies? Whatever they are, these uncommon events—of various scale and expense—balance out the daily grind of modern life. They make life worth living.

I’m on my way back to California, to the patterns of urban life. With me I’m taking a revised look at the world and an altered appreciation for our country’s geography. I’m grateful for that. And grateful for the Land Rover Adventure that made it all happen. Maybe I should starting thinking about Namibia for next year.