When I was very young, many Sunday afternoons were spent piled into the back of an olive-drab Pontiac Ventura with my brother as my dad and mom took us on a drive.
Sometimes we would pack a picnic lunch, and a cooler of drinks. We kids never knew where we were going, and most of the time there wasn’t a specific destination… the fun was in the going, not in the arriving.
There was no air conditioning, so we’d roll down all the windows to get a breeze flowing through the car. The back window ledge was wide and deep enough, and I was small enough, that I would crawl up into the window to watch behind us and where we’d been. (That was back in the day with there were no back seat belts or car seat laws. With gas at about 36¢ a gallon, driving around for a few hours cost less than $3.)
When I go on my photo trips, most of the time I have no real plan for where I want to go. Usually I just jump in my car (snapping on my seat belt) and drive (spending closer to $3 a gallon for gas and not per trip).
It’s when I’m on these unscripted journeys, that I often find the most wonderful surprises.
“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” ~ Lao Tzu
For more photos, please visit my Flickr photostream.
More Weekly Winners photo galleries can be found at I am Lotus. Please leave a little comment love for our lovely hostess and the other WW photogs.
To see other city scenes from around the world, check out Unknown Mami’s Sundays in My City. Don’t forget to show the love to Mami and the other City contributors.
Sunday Citar is a blog quote meme created by Tabitha @FreshMommy. Stop by to see the quotes and photos that she and everyone else are loving right now.
Thin spiral notebook 
Serendipity is the best companion, correctamundo? Love the vibrance in these photos. Happy New Year, m’luv!
LikeLike
I remember rides when we were kids. Out in the country. Sitting in the sun in the back seat and falling asleep under the gentle warmth seeping through the glass.
Thanks. I needed that.
LikeLike
Love these photos Tara…especially the bridge and the sand dune cross. Sweet story….the those car rides sometimes. Happy New Year Tara…
LikeLike
wow, what amazing shots! I love the ocean one and the cross on the sand dune! Great pictures! I will have to go check on Sunday in my city!
LikeLike
With bustling through airports and “hurry-up and get there” mentality, it is so true that we forget it can be all about the journey.
LikeLike
Oh man..that second photo? print it and frame it. I just love it! I could spend all day there. Happy New Year!
LikeLike
I love this post Tara! Mostly because that’s what I do too, just get in the car, go without a plan or destination and just sort of feel my way. I find that essential to the excitement … that alive feeling of the unknown.
I read somewhere the other day that people who travel a lot (like backpackers and world wanderers) are addicted to that aliveness and live for it … I could totally relate.
(Love all of you shots, the cross on the hill was my fave)
LikeLike
Love the pier with the water – what stunning colors!
LikeLike
The bridge leading to the gorgeous blue water is so inviting– and gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you a wonderful and healthy 2011!
Happy SIMC, jj
LikeLike
The first 2 shots are stunning – for different reasons – almost opposites of each other!
LikeLike