Sometimes, you just need to hop in the car and hit the road—even if spontaneity feels like a distant memory. As a mom of two sons, now 22 and 20, I used to think about the future as something far away. But with one son recently graduating from college and the other well into his junior year, I find myself measuring time in smaller increments. It’s a new phase of parenting, one that invites me to try new experiences and embrace change.
While many parents were busy preparing for the school year, my husband, Jake, and I decided it was the perfect moment to embark on a spontaneous road trip to Santa Fe, a destination we had long talked about visiting. We planned four and a half days of adventure and reflection, marking my tenth anniversary as a breast cancer survivor and my birthday—two significant events that deserved celebration.
As we departed from Dallas, the mundane city landscape transformed into mesmerizing vistas. I soaked in the scenery that unfolded outside my window as we cruised through the flat expanses of the West. Our first stop was Clovis, New Mexico, where we crossed from Central to Pacific time. Watching my phone adjust the hour was exhilarating; it felt like I could manipulate time, if only for a moment, and in turn, perhaps slow down the aging process.
The next day, we were back on the road, with me snapping photos, sharing snacks, and belting out tunes from our youth—everything from the extended version of The Temptations’ “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” to beloved hits from Cat Stevens, Stevie Wonder, and Linda Ronstadt. At times, colorful trains sped past us, their horns blaring, perfectly timed with Cat Stevens’ “Peace Train.”
During our drive, we enjoyed stretches of comfortable silence, letting the beauty of the sky speak for itself. Upon arriving in Santa Fe on my birthday, the altitude sickness we experienced blurred our memories of the day. Nonetheless, we explored the town and indulged in new culinary experiences, despite a spicy encounter with a chili pepper that I’d rather forget.
That evening, while seated in a bustling restaurant, I noticed a young mother struggling to manage her baby and her meal. After struggling for a while, she and her husband took turns holding their child, but little was accomplished in terms of dinner. My instinct was to offer assistance, but I hesitated, unsure if they would think I was just a stranger in a vibrant orange wrap. When the dad playfully blew raspberries on his son’s belly, I couldn’t help but smile, noticing the nostalgia wash over Jake’s face—an expression parents of older kids wear when they see younger families.
After a flurry of baby-related mishaps, the dad turned to me and asked where we were from. “Dallas,” I replied. After a brief conversation about life and parenthood, he apologized for the chaos. I reassured him, “You’re doing great, there’s no need to apologize.” The mother looked relieved and shared how they aimed to maintain a normal life post-baby, but reality proved challenging. It struck me how, upon entering parenthood, we think our lives will remain unchanged, only to find ourselves adapting to a new world entirely.
The following day, as we wandered through shops and galleries, my heart warmed when I spotted the mother from the night before, seated outside a restaurant with her baby. She was absorbed in the moment, gazing at her child with that familiar awe. It was a reminder of the joy and infinite possibilities that come with motherhood.
Our time in Santa Fe included more walks, delightful meals, and a scenic drive through rain-soaked landscapes. On the way back to Texas, we enjoyed the quiet while listening to an audiobook, often laughing together at the same moments. After 27 years together, it’s amusing how in sync we’ve become. When it was my turn to drive, I couldn’t help but think of the stunning photos I was missing; the light was just right. So, Jake took the wheel again while I resumed my role as the photographer.
As we drove through vast landscapes where the sky kissed the earth, I was overwhelmed by a longing to step out of the car and embrace the clouds. It made me wonder how long I had been missing out on this beauty. Aging, I learned, isn’t just about the number of candles on a cake; it’s about the opportunities to rediscover youth. But it requires a fresh perspective and a willingness to embrace the transitions between life stages.
This road trip rekindled the child within me. I played with time zones, raced trains, sang songs from my teenage years, and reveled in nature’s magnificence. Not a bad way to spend four and a half days, I thought. Thanks to Cat Stevens’ reflective lyrics in “Oh Very Young,” I found a renewed sense of spontaneity. Perhaps the reason was always there, just waiting for me to embrace it:
You’re only dancing on this earth for a short while.
In summary, a spontaneous road trip can be a powerful way to reconnect with yourself and celebrate milestones. Taking time to embrace the beauty of life, even amid the chaos of parenting, can lead to newfound joy and perspective.
Keyphrase: Rediscovering Youth Through Spontaneous Travel
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