In my work, I cross paths with people from many different backgrounds — interviewees, advisory board members, photography subjects, and more. Some of those encounters have even blossomed into lasting relationships, but no matter who I form these deeper connections with, I tend to hear the same thing: “I hope you don’t take this offensively, but you seem like an old soul.”
I completely agree. I love physical media, what some might call “dad music” (aka classic rock), and, dare I say it, I enjoy having my peace and quiet by 10 p.m. What people might not realize right away, though, is that I’m also a bit of a wanderlust. My dream career would be to work as a travel writer — either as a freelancer, somehow making enough to sustain herself, or as a novelist who changes locations every few months, drawing inspiration from everywhere, from the rolling hills of Ireland to the sunny beaches of Thailand. While I save up for those bigger adventures, I’ve been enjoying exploring closer-to-home destinations.
Recently, I went on my first camping trip in Lebanon, Missouri with my best friend, McKenna, and I can’t pretend I wasn’t nervous going into it. I love air conditioning, and with the uncertain plumbing situation, I felt more than a little hesitant. But McKenna is a seasoned camper, so I felt comfortable putting my life in her hands for the three-day weekend (I didn’t tell her this, though — I didn’t want to put that much pressure on her).
As it turned out, the trip was magnificent. We spent four hours floating on the river, sipping on adult beverages, listening to country music, and watching rafts drift by while people fished from the shoreline and kids skipped rocks across the water. To my relief, there was a bathroom facility, and the evenings were far from the hot, sticky nights I had pictured. The only real hitch came on the first evening, when heavy rain turned the outside of our tent into a muddy mess.
On the flip side, I also recently spent about a week in Chicago. I had zero anxieties going into that trip because, of course, there would be air conditioning and plumbing — plus no need to build a fire or pitch a tent and hope it survived the rain. My partner and I packed our days with adventures: a Cubs game, dim sum and tanghulu in Chinatown, time at the beach, and an escape room. This visit was easily one of the best we’ve had in Chicago, as we explored new areas and experiences despite having visited many times before.
But on the drive home, we encountered a severe thunderstorm that quickly escalated into a hailstorm. Out of nowhere, chunks of ice slammed against my car, shattering the windshield in seconds. I was terrified, but my partner stayed calm and reassured me that we would be okay. Thankfully, we made it through safely — shaken up mentally, perhaps, but physically unharmed. I was incredibly grateful to have someone beside me who could steady me in that moment.
I’ve realized that the best stories often come from the least expected moments, not just the picture-perfect ones (even if they tend to be a lot funnier in hindsight than they are at the time). No matter where you go, it’s all about who you are with, and I was lucky to be with some great people while on these expeditions.
So maybe this is your sign to pack a bag this weekend — or at least start planning the next adventure. Visit some of the places featured in this issue, whether it’s the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Grand Falls in Joplin, or somewhere closer to home like Mt. Nebo Inn in Rocheport along the Katy Trail. What are you waiting for?
