A Travelers Dilemma

Lake Michigan

One of the biggest internal struggles that I have as a camper and traveler is which is better... going to new places or going to places that we know we love.

For example, this Spring my wife and I have a trip planned to Nashville. It will be our third time visiting there and to say we are excited would be a bit of an understatement.

And yet, somewhere in the back of my mind is this nagging feeling that we should be going somewhere we haven't been yet. I mean, why keep going back to a place you have already been.

I know that ultimately, the true answer to happiness is that you find time to do both. However, we all know what life is like and we know that obvious truth can not always be our reality.

@mrsbozz and our friends often have discussions about people who own cabins or permanent lots at specific campgrounds that they just park their trailer at all summer and never move.

We always come to the conclusion that we would never want something like that because we like to explore new places and hitch up and move whenever we want.

Despite that sentiment, I think it is funny that we still find ourselves going back to the same campgrounds year after year. I mean, is that really all that different than having a permanent place to call your own?

Mullet Lake, MI

I mean, when you have views like this, can you really blame us for going back to the same place over and over.

Trust me, I know there are many beautiful places all over the world. In the US alone I would need about ten sets of hands to name all of the places that are on my bucket list to visit. Don't even get me started on the rest of the world!

As you can see, it is a tough call. Perhaps it all boils down to how risk-adverse you are.

What if you try one of those new places and it doesn't live up to your expectations? I think proximity has a lot to do with it as well. Why take the chance on doing all that travel when you know you have places you like much closer.

For example, I would love to visit Austin, TX some day. I hear it is a very eclectic town and I know they have a vibrant music scene.

The problem is, I know I love Nashville, and Austin is another 12 hours further away (assuming I am driving). I would need to take two additional days off of work for travel just to cover the trip down. Then you have to figure in the trip back tKa

Lake Superior, Sugarloaf Mountain

So that raises the question, is it less about being risk-adverse and more about being tied down to a your job and the responsibilities of adulthood. I know that pretty much any campground in the lower peninsula of Michigan I can get to within just about two hours.

That makes setting up a weekend camping trip to one of those places pretty easy. I can take a half day on Thursday, all day Friday and be home before noon on Sunday. Plenty of time to get laundry done and prepare myself for work again on Monday.

I feel like I am babbling a bit with this, but you can see how multifaceted this conundrum is.

Hence the dilemma.

I know many of you who are world travelers probably think I am crazy and you are saying to yourself, this is a no-brainer, you always go someplace new.

Maybe I am wrong.

Let's discuss it in the comments. I look forward to hearing your opinions!