Areas of Unrest

23 December 2005 - Travel Planning

I had an appointment in Chantilly in the morning, which lasted until a little after 10. As I was leaving, I ran into my boss, who had just pulled into the parking lot and chatted for a few minutes. It was just a bit too early to completely avoid going into my office, so I drove to Rosslyn. I was glad I'd gone in, as I got a call from Pete, who was looking for some guidance on the implications of recent decisions on how he should or shouldn't publicize what his group does. He also told me that he's planning a month-long trip to Eastern Europe (Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Croatia) for June.

I've got odds and ends to do, but no real planning per se, for my trip to West Africa in the spring. However, I've been putting a lot of thought into domestic weekend excursions. I've got a Volksmarch related trip to Savannah already booked for January. The big question is whether I want to try to do something over President's Day weekend. I'm leaning against it, just because I think life will be hectic enough that a few days of napping and reading may be ideal by then.

I'm doing a few Volksmarch programs that will mean some travel, though. There are lots of state capitals to get to, for example. There's also an A-Z program, which involves walks in cities starting with each letter. "X" is particularly challenging, as it looks like Xenia, Ohio is about it. I'm thinking I could combine that with a trip to Cincinnati for a baseball game and also do an excursion to Frankfort, Kentucky while I'm at it. Similarly, going to Saint Louis (which will have a new ballpark) could let me pick up Jefferson City, Missouri and Springfield, Illinois. That would also allow for a stop in Hannibal, Missouri, which has neither baseball nor a Volksmarch, but doesn't need to. I also definitely have to get to Atlanta, since there is a museum exhibit I've been meaning to see which is going to be at the Fernbank. The trouble with Atlanta is that it's bloody hot there, so that limits when it makes sense for that excursion.

There are days when I just want to take months off and meander the country. I'm not quite ready for another extended leave, though, and when I do go on one, it wil most likely be to Central America. Maybe towards the end of next year.