Gotta- go- gotta rush - place to go

I grew up in a family where if you were not 15 minutes early, you were late.  My mother always said, plan to be early, then if something happens you will at least be on time.  We rushed from place to place like the world would come to an end if we arrived behind schedule.  That is an efficient (and safe) way to run a railroad, but it leads to a life that rushes past life.  

I have spent the past 20 years trying to overcome my upbringing on this issue. It is not easy.  

This behavior pattern shaped the way I learned to travel.  Map out the most efficient route, drive long hard days, and don't stop to dally along the way.  My parents and grandparents had traveled this way. My grandmother commented that she had driven past the entrance to Mammoth Caves National Park 30 times, always wanted to see the park, but had given up asking my grandfather to stop.  After he died, I drove her to and from Florida a few times, and we stopped. 

When I was in Nevada a couple of weeks ago, I flew into Reno and drove across a small mountain range to Incline Village at Lake Tahoe.  I forced myself to stop a couple of times as I was crossing the mountain to enjoy the scenery and take a few pictures.  Remember to stop and smell the roses along the way.