When I moved to Indy from San Diego, one of the fears I had was that I would miss the sunsets from my parents cliff-side home in Point Loma. By then, after having spent 4 years in Ohio, I knew what I had at home in San Diego. The gorgeous pacific ocean, unexplainable beautiful sunsets, and evening spent drinking with a glass of red wine and family watching these sunsets from the porch.

Now 8 months down the road, feeling settled and… (are you sitting down?) almost at home in Indiana, I’ve truly experienced what it’s like to live in the Midwest. I moved in the midst of winter (yes, I was here for the snow days, and yes I was sliding around on 465 in my Jetta with terrible, no-traction, west coast tires), I’ve seen the seasons change from winter, to spring, to summer. Now as the air is getting crisp, pumpkin spice lattes are back at Starbucks, and we’re trying to fit pool days and camping trips in before the weather gets frigid — I’m realizing I’ve been here a while, and I’m happy.

I have countless friends and family on the west coast who simply don’t understand my move (and some that do… thanks Dad!), and I’m convinced no amount of explaining will do the trick. But as fall comes barreling around the corner, seemingly out of no-where, I was forced to evaluate my last three seasons here. It made me realize once again that my home will also be San Diego, but I love the Midwest and sometimes the sunset can be just as beautiful here.

It is my belief that traveling, even on a small scale within the United States has incredible value in the way that it adds to your life perspective.  It reminds you there is life out there outside of the small everyday world that you experience.  It changes opinions, perspectives, aspirations, and… if you one who itches to see more, experience more and learn more, then it can change desires as well.

In the past couple of months I’ve had several weekends away from my beautiful home in San Diego… Philadelphia, Washington DC/Bethesda area, Newport Beach, Palm Springs, Indianapolis, New York City… and this weekend I’m headed to Fort Wayne Indiana! (Don’t ask why…haha)

Honestly, from big city to small town, the value of getting away (the way that I have recently) cannot be matched. It opens your eyes to the world outside your own, and to all different kinds of lifestyles. I’m 23 years old, I’ve got nothing that says I can’t pick up and leave for a weekend. No little dog at home to be babysat, no husband and child to worry about (or feed)… it’s truly and incredible unique time in my life, and I’m blessed to be able to take full advantage of the opportunities at hand to get out and travel some! So I’ve jumped back onto Dopplr with the intention of actually using it this time! 

My encouragement to you….

Go search cheap flights. Go see some friends cross country. Travel is expensive, but the expeirence is worth every dime, (or $100 dollar bill). It changes the way you see things, and it may change the way you chose to live….

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller