In the last few weeks, we’ve covered some important ground: getting rid of stress is key to staying healthy; throwing epic parties builds community; and yoga is a great way to rejuvenate. All of these elements can help you find balance in your life.
Sometimes, though, balance is a little over-rated, and it’s time to tip the scale in the direction of legendary.
I recognize the concept of a “road trip” is well known. You may have read Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, checked out Tom Green’s classic Road Trip flick, and you may have even driven three hours to the cottage. But have you ever gone on a continental weekend road trip (a “CWRT”)?
CWRTs aren’t for the faint of heart. Here are my general guidelines for a CWRT:
- it begins on a Friday night and ends before work starts on a Monday morning;
- it needs to be entirely unplanned (no reservations in advance);
- it needs to involve at least two people (preferably three) and plenty of driving through the night;
- it involves reaching one coast of a continent;
- less than 24 hours must be spent at the destination (you will end up spending more time driving than any other activity!); and
- the minimum total driving in one weekend must be 3000 kilometres.
- Photo: jamesbayroad.com
There was one particular summer, when my car was relatively young and nimble, that I had a certain penchant for hitting the road. I completed two CWRTs that summer. My first took me from Toronto to New Orleans and back (about 4200 km total, during which time my car actually disappeared for a few hours due to an unscrupulous towing company). My second arose from an urge to touch Arctic waters, and that led to a spontaneous journey to the tip of James Bay and back (about 3200 km total, which fortuitously did not result in any car loss; I tried fishing in James Bay but was altogether unsuccessful). I drove via the iconic James Bay Road, which has these claims to fame:
- it’s the longest service-free stretch of road in Canada (I had to pack an extra tank of gas!); and
- it’s the farthest north you can drive in eastern North America.
For more details, check out this handy Web site: www.jamesbayroad.com.
So if it’s a Friday night and you’re wondering what to do, you could always play board games, but there’s a continent worth exploring … try a CWRT!
A proper road trip requires U-turns, too, at least according to Celena. She’s even trained Ben to say that. She asks him what a road trip needs, and he says, “oo-ees.”
Of course, I prefer a walking trip myself….
mmm, yes indeed! U-turns are often quite prevalent. Especially, at least for me, navigating the streets of Detroit!