The saying that the journey is often more important than the destination could not have been more true than it was today. I am just back from a long weekend (almost too long) in Las Vegas with a great group of friends for a little relaxation, a little partying and a little Capoeira. We stayed up too late, got up too early, gambled, spent too much money on food and drink – basically all the things you’re supposed to do in Vegas.
Each morning one of my friends would exclaim with the excitement and wonder of a little kid “Adventure Awaits” as we were heading out of the hotel room to find something to get into in Sin City. While Adventure did definitely await, it was not to take place in Las Vegas, but rather on the car ride back to Los Angeles. 5 friends in a car, a spirit of adventure, time on our hands and nothing but the open road ahead of us…this day was beyond special.
 |
| A trail to take…adventure awaits. |
A last minute decision to veer off from the direct route home and into the Angeles National Forest led to what I considered a near perfect day. After the bright lights, towering architecture and constant undercurrent of tackiness of the Las Vegas strip, being dwarfed by mountains and trees instead of hotels and neon signs was a much welcomed change of pace.
 |
| A refreshing change of view |
Part of the adventure was personal. I started off the day by making a confession that took me way far outside my comfort zone and it ended as I made a wish on a star…that was actually a planet…for wonderful things to come.
Part of the adventure was about being amongst good friends and just enjoying whatever came our way.
 |
| Road trip buddies |
We took mountain trails, we jumped for joy and posed for photos.
 |
| Enjoying the journey to the fullest [Photo: B. Seriki] |
We played Capoeira by the side of the road with a stunning backdrop behind us.
 |
| Friends at play [Photo: G. Hatton] |
We took hairpin mountain curves at top speed and then slowed to catch a breathtaking sunset.
 |
| Sunset over the mountains of Angeles National Forest |
We held our breath as we drove through a tunnel as we did when we were kids and listened to amazing music that had to have been made just for this road trip.
Today was a beautiful day physically and mentally. It was special in ways that this post just can’t capture. But its not because we had some fabulous plan … its because adventure awaited and we chose to follow it.
