Best Travel Day Ever.

So, I am a card-carrying member of AAA (American Automobile Association). More specifically, California AAA, since I signed up when I lived there. It's great for random towing, flat tires, etc. I also get their lovely quarterly magazine - Via. There's actually some good travel articles, however they're primarily California-centric. I didn't take issue with this until I moved to Oregon and now I don't want to hear about any more @#$!# wineries or spas in Northern California! Like rubbing salt in the wound...

Anyhoo, in the last issue there was a Via Dream Vacation Contest - write an essay on your best travel day ever and win a $2,500 certificate for travel! 200 words or less. Easy...right? I got the creative juices flowing and worked on my little essay for a couple hours over two nights, really working on tweaking the words, clarifying my statements, etc. etc. I was feeling pretty good about it. I went to submit it online and quickly glanced over the rules of the contest, with one in particular glaring at me: "Contest only open to residents of Northern California, Nevada or Arizona". Whah!? This is like a bait and switch! I spent so much time on my essay (okay, not really), I felt it actually had a chance of winning! It was a sad day. So, now for the one and only time, I will submit my essay online here instead. I still think it's good.

One Day, Day One

I turned to wave one last goodbye as my mom smiled, tears streaming down her face. Confidently, I boarded the plane with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. I had dreamed of this day for years, and at twenty I was finally going to study abroad. As the reality of my departure hit like a tidal wave and loneliness set in, I focused on the immediacy of my travel, navigating through three countries with two large backpacks. My resolve strengthened the closer I moved towards my destination, with each friendly face, each stranger’s kind gesture. I became independent, engaged, and fascinated with far-flung countries with exotic names. I cried my eyes out, made new friends, laughed like a child, and discovered my character. The first day I set out to explore the world on my own, one day at a time, is my best travel day ever...

...beth