Apparently, I Can’t Afford to Leave
For me, wanderlust is more than just a clichéd way to say I like traveling. The urge hits me like a craving. If you’ve ever been a smoker, it’s that feeling first thing in the morning after a few sips of coffee. It becomes a need, almost frantic in its insistence.
It usually hits me out of the blue. There I was today, on my way home from work, listening to the latest “Small Town Murder” episode, when I felt it bite. I thumbed the Siri button on the steering wheel, said, “Call [wife],” and let it all out.
We’re always saving for the next trip to Japan, but why not take some shorter trips around the US? I can usually swing a Thursday to Sunday, so why wait for a school holiday when it gets stupid busy everywhere? It’s not like the kids do much in school these days anyway. They get handed a Chromebook and told to watch a video and answer questions. He can catch up on that nonsense anytime.
My first thought was Colorado. Land in Denver, head to Golden for a bit, and then to Estes Park and RMNP. Do some hiking, see the sights, maybe a haunted tour or some gold panning. I used to be able to find direct flights from Houston to Denver for around $100.
Apparently, that was wishful thinking. Prices are obnoxious. When I push the dates to later in October or November, they’re still expensive, but I also run the risk of closures in the park, which would defeat the purpose.
Then I considered New Mexico. Houston to El Paso, then Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands, maybe even Roswell and Guadalupe. Tell me why the flights from Houston to El Paso were even more expensive than to Colorado!?
According to the BLS August CPI, airfares are 23.4% higher than this time last year. Gas, as we all know, is even higher. Add to that all the bullshit airline games like seat selection, baggage fees, etc., and you’re paying what it used to cost me to get to London.
I mean, I do well enough, but it bothers the hell out of me to pay such exorbitant fares for such a short trip. I’m just stuck. That is, until I get so desperate that I shell out for tickets anyway.
I just need out of this depressing shit-hole of a city.
▼
On the bright side, the new China Miéville book arrived today! The Rouse. It’s a tome. A deadly weapon at 1,250-odd pages. It’s definitely going to take me a minute.
It’s quite the commitment, but I’m excited. China is one of the premier voices of the “New Weird.” Perdido Street Station and all of the New Crobuzon books left a deep, lasting impression. He’s an incredible writer, and I can’t wait to jump in.
It probably won’t happen tonight, though. I have less than an hour before fatherly duties compel me elsewhere, so I’m running upstairs to swing a light greatsword in The Lands Between. Actually, I need to farm smithing stones, but still, you get it.