Friday, November 05, 2010

Clickety clack


Freeze the countryside
Somewhere between Toronto and London, March 2009
Please note: This photo supports the Thematic Photographic electric week. What's a Thematic and how can you get involved? Glad you asked. Click here and all will be explained.
There are a few laws of photography and optics that dictate the futility of shooting out the window of a speeding train. I've never been one for laws or rules, anyway, so perhaps it's just as well that I ignored the scowls of the dude sitting across the aisle as I pointed my camera toward the speeding terrain. Maybe he wanted me to take pictures of him, instead.

Ew.

Weirdo passengers aside, it was a late Southern Ontario afternoon as I cruised home from a day in the big city. It had been a good day all around, and I was looking forward to reconnecting with my family, growing closer by the second.

As you read this, I'm on another road trip. Waaaaay before dawn today, I set out in my car for Montreal. I'm heading back alone because, well, no one lives forever, and sometimes you just need to be among friends. This entry will auto-post in the afternoon, and if the BlackBerry fairies allow it, I'll try to share some thoughts - and maybe a lousy smarthphone pic or two - from my journey.

I'm sure at some point I'm going to wish I'd been on the train instead.

Your turn: The appeal - or not - of solo travel. Please discuss.

12 comments:

Cloudia said...

I do miss trains...and clouds like those in the Autumn.




Aloha from Honolulu

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Kalei's Best Friend said...

I personally don't like to travel alone, I guess its because I've always traveled w/someone or w/the family... My ex bf, is a loner and when I met him, I saw several photos of where he had taken of himself on his travels alone... It takes a certain personality to want to travel alone.. I like sharing the trip and moments.. I would find it to be lonely to travel by myself.

Anonymous said...

I am actually taking my first "solo" trip in 2 weeks since my divorce.. I am beyond excited..My first vacation in many years.. Think. Just me, out there in the world.. free to be.. It's lovely..

(plus I was in the Army so traveling is nothing new..ha!)
I plan on keeping a picture-journal of my trip and will update when I return. Wish me luck!!!

The Gearheads said...

Traveling solo has it's ups and downs. I enjoy that I am on my own schedule. It is nice to choose what I am going to do for me. There is also the benefit of - Ok it's time to go, and I have to wait for NOBODY. I enjoy exploring new places, see what is there. I like sitting in a restaurant eating and people watching, I find the interaction of people very intriguing.
I hate being away though. I have been with my wife since high school and for so many years we ate worked and lived together, literally 24/7. It is hard to part from that, even now. I always miss the boys too even though there are times they drive me crazy. I sleep better in my familiar setting. I can move about my city and know exactly where I am. Sometimes I feel very social when I am away and really nobody to talk to, I just don't feel comfortable sitting down at a table in a restaurant and starting up a conversation with the couple that walked in.
All this makes me glad that I get to travel alone, but not very often.
-Mr

Alexia said...

I prefer to travel alone, and really enjoy doing so.
Recently I took a 10-day trip with a friend, and I was very happy indeed when it ended. I guess I am so used to being by myself, and doing what I please, that being with someone else all day every day became very hard work.

I am someone who needs space and time by myself. Can't wait for my next trip - alone! :)

that guy said...

i love traveling alone...and i love traveling. i prefer to travel with dog over a person...

well, sometimes it is nice to have a person to share the driving...

i always seem to find traveling companions when i need the common bond of commaradarie (sp? it is way dark thirty) and there is always nor and the radio..

Tabor said...

In most cultures it is very difficult for women to travel alone. We always have to be aware of our surroundings and we always have to take any strangers friendship with a grain of salt. I envy the male ability to travel so freely.

Tabor said...

In most cultures it is very difficult for women to travel alone. We always have to be aware of our surroundings and we always have to take any strangers friendship with a grain of salt. I envy the male ability to travel so freely.

laurak/ForestWalkArt :) said...

electric! nice shot...especially knowing it was taken at high speed!

as for travelling solo...i've taken a couple of vacations by myself...and i loved it! being able to do what i wanted, when i wanted. of course i took these couple of 2 week long 'road trips' at times in my life when i really NEEDED to be alone. to think....

fredamans said...

I travel Via Rail quite often, and always solo. Though I find I always meet a person, usually an elderly lady, and we travel together.

21 Wits said...

Solo does wonders for the soul, and I would be powerless without my wheels! I was born to drive, and once had a job that was 10 minutes from home..EW! no chance to unwind from the crazies of the day to well you know how a house filled with children and animals and a grandma babysitter can become so highly delightfully charged! So I say yes to your down time in the car to reflect to the job and from the job, you pick the music/talk or just listen to your thoughts! I also can relate to your picture taking...it's amazing how often it seems there are people among that have never seen a camera or the act of picture taking. Can you believe it!

Wayward Son said...

I don't know if riding alone qualifies as actual 'travel' but I spend a fair amount of time doing just that. A long jaunt pedal-pushing on the back roads is good for the soul. It's decompression and fresh air.