Over the course of the past few months since moving to Kansas City, I've felt a bit... melancholy and discontent. One thing about adulthood that isn't really apparent until you've become one? How routine and drab most days can become. You spend the better portion of your day at work, spend a good amount of time in the car driving home, the evening gets eaten up by errands (and if I'm having a really productive day, exercise!), I get things ready for the next day... and then it's time for bed.
But I don't think it has to be such an exercise in mechanical motion - I just think it's going to take a bit more effort as an adult to make the things I'm passionate about happen. Instead of waiting for these opportunities, I need to be proactive and create them.
Last weekend, I spent a good amount of time in the car. If you've ever driven I-70 between Kansas City and St. Louis, then you know it's the most barren, boring stretch of highway in America. Ok, I've never driven through the plains of Kansas, but still. This highway had my eyes bleeding by the time I was a couple hours into the drive. By the time I was driving home Sunday, I was tired and ready to be home. I knew there were things I needed to accomplish before I needed to return to my classroom Monday morning.
But then, a sign caught my eye. "Downtown Blackwater, next exit. Then, 4 miles north." I had an internal dialog. "I really shouldn't. I need to get home, there's so much to accomplish, and the evening is almost gone." But then... "I haven't ventured off of the main road in a while, maybe it'll be worth it."
Suffice it to say, I took the exit, and hopped on the backroads of Missouri to scope out Blackwater. And what a discovery - a tiny Missouri township, stuck in a time warp. My only regret was not taking any pictures.
As I circled around to return to the highway, I saw yet another sign for Arrow Rock State Park. Again, I debated with myself over whether I should venture another couple of miles down the road. This time, though, the debate was much easier. I discovered yet another place full of rich history and natural beauty. I most definitely plan to return and explore with Danielle next year.
An hour and a half detour later, and I said "To hell with it! I'm stopping at this truckstop Dairy Queen." A blizzard and a chicken strip basket were the perfect way to cap a much needed exploration.
Even though so much has changed this year, and adventures are so much more fun with the one you love by your side, I need to take the time to find more Blackwaters in my life. I need to slow down and spend time exploring both the physical places that intrigue me, as well as the places that mentally intrigue me: writing, music and photography, to name a few.
What is your Blackwater, and when is the last time you visited?
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