Home > Still Traveling > Archives > 2005 > July > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGo Fourth — Without Me
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just wondering what you guys are doing for the Fourth. Going anywhere fun? Not me. Sometimes the desire for a weekend — especially a long weekend — at home is stronger than my wanderlust.
I did my patriotic thing last weekend in D.C. My husband and I flew up for a friend’s 50th birthday party held Saturday night at Zenith Gallery in the heart of the District. On Sunday, we went down to Washington Harbour on the Potomac River to enjoy the outdoor cafes and take a river cruise — which, despite having visited D.C. many, many times, I’d never done. We killed some time at the bar at Nick’s Riverside Grill before taking a cab over the Kennedy Center to see the hilarious “Red, White and Tuna,â€? one of the “Tuna Trilogyâ€? that started with “Greater Tuna,â€? which was performed in Atlanta by the original stars Jaston Williams and Joe Sears maybe 20 years ago. Anyway, Williams and Sears were doing this show and I just had to see them again. After the show, we went back to the harbor and had dinner at Tony & Joe’s overlooking the river (fabulous scallops with garlic and lemon sauce over linquini for me and crab cakes for hubby).
On Friday night, the day we arrived, we went to Wolftrap in Vienna, Va., for the National Symphony Orchestra’s All-American program featuring music from “West Side Storyâ€? by Leonard Bernstein and Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” (with soloists and a chorus). Really nice. We had bought tickets under the pavilion but ended up spending most of the time picnicking on the lawn. You can reserve picnics in advance on the Wolftrap Web site (www.wolftrap.org). Click on Services and then select Dining. It’s a fun way to spend a summer night in northern Virginia.
So…this weekend, I’m staying at home. Well, except for attending a wedding (the daughter of one of my best friends is getting married — in Decatur). I’m looking foward to a relaxing weekend that will involve frequent soaks in our new hot tub on our new patio. (Although I understand my teenage daughter is planning a throwdown to celebrate our new toy. Maybe they’ll squeeze me in.)
Enough about me. What are you up to??
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By Amanda Miller
July 5, 2005 1:19 PM | Link to this
Paula
I can’t believe no one wants to share what they did on July 4? Surely some of us were out there having fun?
I say some of us because I worked, with the idea of taking this Friday off. My spouse is out of town visiting his Ringling Circus sister in Biloxi and it seemed a shame to waste a perfectly good day off when we could have a three-day weekend together later. Plus, you can always get a whole lot done when you’re virtually the only one in the office.
I spent the evening of July 4 listening to the Marietta fireworks display and Mother Nature’s fireworks display (and downpour) with three dogs hovering around. The newest dog, Charlie, fits right in with the other two â€â€? they’re all afraid of thunder and storms, and why that is, we have no idea.
So that was my Fourth, how was yours?
Amanda
By Jessica
July 5, 2005 3:55 PM | Link to this
I want to share a wonderful experience I had this past weekend. I just turned 24 on July 2 and as a present to myself, I took a trip to Washington, DC. I have no family and a few friends in DC, but I did not invite any family or friends to go with me. And I have to say, I had one of the greatest times of my life.
This is the first time I have went on a trip like this by myself. I was able to go and do as I please whenever I wanted to do it. I didn’t waste time consulting with people with my plans, like I would have done if I was there with someone else.
When I came back to Atlanta and told people about my weekend, the general response I got was “I can’t believe you went by yourself. I couldn’t never do that!” Why can’t you do that? What I learned over the weekend is that life is living it the way you want. If you spend all your time waiting for other people to do things with you, you may never do anything. Then you get old, wishing you did this and that.
I know there are risks involved with going places alone, but you have to be smart about where you go, what time of day you go, and things like that. It just amazing to me how many people have never done things by themselves. People who have never been in a restaurant, a movie, a mall, even a restroom by themselves. (Exagerrating with the restroom part, but you understand). I love me and I’ve learned a lot about myself by spending time with me.
I guess what I’m sharing will inspire people to take chances, plan that trip you’ve always wanted to take, even if it means you take it yourself. You’ll have a great time, I promise. Don’t let other people keep you from doing things and going places you want to do. And if you can’t get travel, do something like go to a park, a bar. Go somewhere where you can meditate, free your mind and relax. I promise, time with yourself is worth it (and necessary).
I feel like I should put a disclaimer here to state that I’m not a loner or anything like that; on the contrary I have lots of friends, which is all the more reason why I went alone. If you are a person who constantly spends time and take care of other people, you are definitely in need of a vacation with none other than you!
By Amanda Miller
July 5, 2005 4:14 PM | Link to this
Hi Jessica
That sounds like a perfect present to yourself â€â€? the gift of travel and self-discovery. What you say about traveling alone is absolutely right: You don’t have to alter what you want to do and where you want to go and when you want to go because someone who’s traveling with you doesn’t like to get up early or stay out late or has to have lunch right at noon. It’s very freeing to be out on your own exploring a new place.
When I was in my early 30s, I spent four days in New York alone and had a wonderful time taking in Broadway shows, Central Park, the Staten Island Ferry, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, the subway to SoHo, even getting lost in the Bowery (probably not the smartest thing I’ve ever done). I walked and walked and walked and loved everything about it — this was long before I ever contemplated living in a city as large as Atlanta, so New York was just IT and I was as starry-eyed as any tourist from a smaller town (in this case Medford, Ore., population about 250,000 for the entire Rogue Valley).
Where’s your next solo trip?
Amanda
By Swan
July 14, 2005 8:12 AM | Link to this
Jessica, that sounds like a great trip you took.
When I got into my early 30s and was making a better salary, I took a few solo trips as a single. One was to Newport News/Williamsburg, Va. I stayed at an inn and enjoyed it a lot. I visited museums and went on a harbor cruise. It was great.
Later that year I went to Maine on Memorial Day weekend by myself. I had been there a long time ago but I went places I hadn’t been before. I slept in and walked on the beach, did some shopping. It was grand.
I think you have a good head on your shoulders to keep in mind the safety issues you mentioned. I hope your next trip is just as exciting and enriching.
By Sandy
July 14, 2005 11:57 AM | Link to this
Jessica, I have taken vacations alone many times. It’s wonderful. Sleep on my schedule, eat on my schedule, etc. I usually drive, take my time and spend the night somewhere on the way. Keep it up. You’ll stay independent and not rely on others for your happiness.
By Suzanne
July 15, 2005 3:17 PM | Link to this
Hi Amanda, Small world. I actually really want to travel to Oregon and espcially take in Medford and Eugene. I hear Medford is one of the greatest places to live (healthy, safe, great education, etc) in the country. Any comments about life there and/or suggestions about what are must-sees in the area? Thanks!