At least four times a year, I have a sudden urge to take a road trip. Sometimes it is to somewhere particular, but other times I just want to take off and make stops in little towns along the way. There's something particularly charming about visiting a new place, however simple, and taking in the local sights and stopping in a "hot spot." Ya know, livin' like a local for a bit. However, sometimes we take the towns we live in for granted. We're so familiar with them we don't always realize the charm they have for, say, road trippers from OTHER towns passing through.

Last night, I was out at a coffee shop. It's a place I frequent fairly often. However, as the sun started going down and I felt a slightly cooler breeze brush my face and hair, somehow I felt like I was somewhere else. I had that excited feeling you get when you're in a new place experiencing new things. Almost magically, I looked around and saw things with new eyes. It was lovely.

It occurred to me that many of us take the places we live for granted. Somehow the things to do in "our" towns and the places to dine in "our" towns doesn't always seem to hold the same allure and the exact same kinds of places in other towns. Now, some of that is just human nature, sure. Also, I'm not suggesting we stop taking road trips, for sure.

Yet, why not give it a try? The next time you're looking around for things to do, try to see where you live with fresh eyes. I bet even though you live where you live, you've not done all there is to be done or dined in every restaurant. Do something different. Make different choices. It's almost a new season after all, it's time for a change. :)

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