Tortoise Time

The first time I journeyed between Colorado and Texas was in 1980, and for forty-four years I’ve continued to travel back and forth between my two favorite places. I don’t know how many times we’ve driven or flown between here and there, but it’s a big number. Even a couple times a year over that period would be in the 3 digit neighborhood and it’s been more than that.

In the beginning, when we were young we were into driving straight through, even seeing how quickly we could make the trip. We have traveled between multiple locations in both states, but the trip has usually been between 900 and 1000 miles. Denver to Houston is about 900 miles or 13 hours. 13 hours is pretty easy in the summer when the sun is in the northern hemisphere, but it makes for a long day when the sun’s not around to keep you company.

“Nature is slow, but sure; she works no faster than need be; she is the tortoise that wins the race by her perseverance.” ~ Henry David Thoreau 

Thankfully we’ve said goodbye to the Hare mentality and have completely adopted the Tortoise way of thinking. The 3MPH lifestyle is about slowing down and connecting with the people and places we journey through. So as we prepare to make the journey for the hundredth and something time, it will be in the spirit of the turtle.

We don’t own a dwelling in the Great State of Texas anymore, so when we venture there, we do so with our home, turtle-like. We call her “The Bus.” She’s not very fast but she has been pretty reliable over the last thirteen years, and has taught us numerous lessons on the value of patience and living life in the slow lane.

“Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly.” ~ Mae West

So, instead of driving straight through, we’ll be dividing the trip into 3 five hour segments, interspersed with connecting to the experiences, people and places between here and there. Three hours a day might be better, but we have places to be and people to see, or something like that. Normally we go to Texas in the Winter when the Frozen Tundra is not that hospitable but we have a grandkid that’s a standout footballer and the season is over by winter, so the time is now.

We also have a new birddog and Pheasant season opens in November, so we thought, let’s go to Texas for October, see some football and then do a High Plains hunting season behind Xam, the new pup. That’s the plan for now, but we have the capability to shift into “Tortoise Time” anytime we want, so we’ll see what the winter has in store. 

Never Stop Exploring!