I’m ready to leave. In fact, I’ve already gone.
I’m writing this from deep within the splendor of the eastern Washington back-country, encircled by lush pines that gently sway in the light wind while the rush of flowing water from the nearby creek provides the soundtrack to tranquility. Viewed from afar, I likely appear to be somewhat languid or otherwise in repose, but the facts would belie that impression. You see, I am indeed being quite active. I am searching. Searching for Satori.
Throughout my life, I’ve always been imbued with the lust for wandering; a zest for travel – for adventure. And across my accumulated years, I have been fortunate to travel extensively. Always seeing; always searching. And always finding.
But it is today that I find myself in a particularly desirous position. One in which, I am freed of all commitments. A place where I can be anywhere at any time and stay as little or as long as I choose. It feels simultaneously invigorating and frightening. I have only recently begun to build my new tomorrow, today as I dive headlong into the vast expanse of the remainder of my life. And I search.
I recently shared with a friend that “I keep telling myself that I’m going home soon, but I don’t know where that is. That I feel homesick for a place I’ve never been.” And I search, because I know that is the way in which I will find home; find Satori. As Proust once famously said, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
Today my new travels begin, here, steeped high within the mountains and solitude, somewhere near the Canadian border. Four days of respite and rejuvenation connecting with friends while sharing new landscapes. This trip is the first of many stretching well past the Summer and Fall. Well past Winter and into next year. This is the precursor to my travelogue. The one on the outside as well as the one on the inside.
Travel a spiral because sometimes the quickest way is the longest
Neil Gaiman
ADVENTURES NEAR
Spring was jubilant, while Summer was ushered in by the most extreme and protracted heatwave in recorded history. Over 30 consecutive days of temperatures in excess of 95 degrees, with 17 in excess of 100. It’s been somewhat of a challenge to not fall prey to lethargy and atrophied motivation.
That said, I’m moving forward with plenty of local adventure that includes this trip as well as two other kayak camping excursions down the Columbia and another large, local river. Like most places, Summer is riddled with all manner of fun events and there are plenty of which I’ll be attending ranging from outdoor art festivals, fairs, museum exhibits, and other exciting community events.
Moreover, I’ve booked my “Big Smoke” culinary weekend where I’ll be staying downtown and systematically sampling all of the amazing restaurants, breweries, and other purveyors of tasty eats.
ADVENTURES FAR
Having a veritable stockpile of air miles, a deep penchant to get out and see new places and old friends, and not having had a “real” vacation in some time has turned out to be somewhat of a dangerous combination. Over the next 8 months, it seems like I’ll be away from Fate Estate far more than at it. Domestically, I’ve got a couple of trips back down to Southern California including a 8-day adventure on Catalina island both lounging and kayak fishing. I’m also headed to Portland for my first visit to attend the Rose City Comic-Con to get my nerd on and experience the city for a week.
My biggest upcoming adventure is my long-awaited trip to Japan. I spent almost a month planning the 3-week trip only to find that the country is still on lockdown. I feel fairly ridiculous in that I was so awash in my own enthusiasm, that it didn’t even occur to me to check and I only discovered this when I attempted to purchase my plane tickets! In any event, my target date was originally for late November, so there’s still a possibility it will happen, otherwise, it’ll be in early next year.
One of the things I’ve missed most throughout the Covid situation, has been seeing live music. I’m making up in spades with trips to Los Angeles, Seattle, and Phoenix to see great bands as well as checking out some live music locally. However, the biggest music adventure is to head to Liverpool to see hometown heroes, and one of my all-time favorite bands, Echo & the Bunnymen. For me, this is about as epic as a musical pilgrimage can get!
THE PRECURSOR TRAVELOGUE
With nearly 8 months crammed full of adventure, I’m ready and excited to move myself forward. I am running, not from, but to.
Traveling a spiral requires consistency of motion and emotional fortitude. The voyage will provide new eyes. New eyes with which I can see my way to a new place. A new place that is home.
I am seeing and I am searching. I’m wise enough and grateful enough to know that the more I search for Satori out there, the more I’ll find it inside here.
As Tolkien said, “Not all those who wander are lost.”
The Pacific Northwest seems like a good place for reflection. Hopefully Japan works out–definitely high on my list of places to visit.
I am embarrassed to admit that I first say “Searching for Satori” and thought this was about Bitcoin haha. Damn Satoshi. Enjoy the journey either way!
Hi IF and thanks for the comment. I was unaware of the potential crypto currency reference.
Anyway, tales will be told, sir. Yes, they will!
Sorry to hear about Japan! One of Jenni and I’s favorite trips was about 20 days visiting the island from Tokyo down to Hiroshima and up to Takayama. I think we both loved the cultural experience, the feel of not even visually recognizing the characters on the signs, and just feeling like we were somewhere otherworldly. We’ve both had experiences in deeply depressed Honduras or Nicaragua, which was both humbling and positive in so far as the impact we could have—but Japan carried with it a sense of awe during our visits. I hope you can make the trip work later this year or next!
I’m happy to see the beginning weave of your travel tale here, and excited to see what’s next!
Hey Chris and thanks for the comment. As an optimist, I’m hoping Japan will open up in late-Nov. sounds like you had a nice trip. My itinerary has me in Tokyo, Kyoto and side-trips to Osaka, Hakone & Konya-san. I may hit you up on the sights, etc. you most enjoyed. In any event, I’ll make it out there in the not too-distant future!
I’m exited for the travel to unfold as well. It all starts in less than 48 hours. Reports to follow!
I loved this one. I’ve been pretty burned out with work lately, so it made me smile reading this. Great title – “Searching for Satori.” That Proust quote was what I needed to hear. Looks like you have a lot of fun planned, and that’s what it’s all about. It almost sounds ridiculous, but even though we’ve never met this made me feel super excited for you. Hahaha. Gotta live vicariously while I can. Those are some killer temperatures you’ve had to endure but doing some Kayak camping on the Columbia sounds pristine.
Happy traveling my man and can’t wait to here about the new adventures, distant horizons crested, and lessons learned within.
Thanks for the comment, Q-Fi! Yep, I’m glad to have some adventure on the books finally. It’ll be nice to get about and about as well as connect with friends old and new.
Lots of amazing sounding trips lined up, Mr. Fate. I’m especially jealous of the ‘destination concerts’ that you’ve scheduled. Back before kids, I used to often plan my winter vacation around seeing one of my favorite bands in a new land. Echo & The Bunnymen should be pretty fun. When we visited family in Sweden back in 2019, my last international trip, we walked to a local playground so our daughter could play, and none other than the Dropkick Murphys starting playing on the other side of the park. It was funny to see them, so randomly, and so far from Boston. Anyhow, cheers to a busy traveling season!
Hey Adam and thanks for the comment. Yeah, I’m super-stoked on the music trips, especially seeing the Bunnymen in Liverpool. That’ll be epic.
How totally random and totally cool to just happen into a DM show at a park in Sweden. That’s got to be a pretty amazing memory.
I’ve done some similar things when it comes to travel, luckily half the fun is planning and anticipation. I enjoyed your inclusion of Proust, his quote is perfect for what travel does to the paradigm. I’m very happy you are getting out there. You are in the position I hope to someday find myself. No commitments and some money available to wander. Planning travel these days is tough, but if you must travel in the time of COVID, Asia might be the safer bet than Europe…
Hi Noel and thanks for the comment. Yep, really looking forward to getting out in the world and having a few adventures. I’ve always loved that Proust quote as it’s pretty spot-on. Oh well, at least I did have fun planning Japan and hopefully it will happen later this year or early next.
I relate to this concept of satori, though I’ve experienced it far less during Covid. Ironically, I felt it far more while in my excessive travel phase. These days, I’m loving being home and doing a few days away here and there. Like you’ve quoted, looking at things with new eyes helps that wanderlust. Maybe it’s also that I lived away from family and friends for so long that I’d rather spend time with them these days than abroad. Of course, I think that will change at some point too.
Anyway, I’m excited for all your upcoming adventures and look forward to reading about them and how they change your perspective. Enjoy!
Hi Katie and hope you’re doing well. I hear you about the desire to stay close to home for sure. I’ve been doing that since I retired almost 3 years ago and now ready for a burst of prolonged adventure. Rest assured, I’ll be reporting in periodically for updates!
good one, mr. fate. i learned a new word in satori and really enjoy the concept of the never ending search. enjoy all your travels. that’s a bummer about the situation in japan. we are still holding out on buying any airfare until we have a little more clarity for going forward. i’m looking forward to getting back to the west coast for a wine trip. it’s been a few years and good times await. salud!
Hey Freddy and thanks for the comment. Yep, I’m ready to hit the road and get out “on tour.” Yeah, I felt like an idiot not even checking about Japan. Oh well, at least the itinerary is all built out. Hope you and the Mrs. can get out West for a vino trek of your own sometime this year.