“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”

— Martin Buber

It’s only February, but we are getting ready to reserve rooms for a vacation at the end of June.   We do so much planning for travel!  We want to assure that our time is available, that our traveling companions all are free, and that we will have a place to sleep at the end of the day.  We know that Point A is our home, and we know that Point B will be our motel room near the ocean, but we have no idea what adventures await us along the road from one place to another.  What makes it exciting to travel to a new location is the mystery of what lies along the path.  We can be excited about our plans, but it is the unexpected that brings our journey to life.

I got to thinking that maybe we plan vacation trips as a way of trying to take control of our journey for a few days.  Anyone who is alive and walks on our planet can tell you that the journey that begins at the moment we take our first breath often leads us to unplanned adventures, even though we think we know where we are going.  What makes life fun is being able to let go of our plans and experience everything that comes our way.  There is no need to become sidetracked and lose sight of our goals; but we can enrich our lives by pausing along the way to discover new and unexpected people and things.

Some of my favorite vacation memories are recalling the unexpected meetings with strangers who shared their stories until we parted as friends — or at least fellow travelers.  I will plan my vacation trip today, but it won’t happen for four months.  Until then, I will keep walking the path that will  ultimately lead me there.  Who knows what might lie ahead?

And who knows which other traveler will discover me as an unexpected destination on their own journey?  I must go now.  It’s time to take a walk.