CECE SLADOVNIK/THE CREIGHTONIAN
A view through the windshield on a road trip from Omaha, NE. to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Everyone can agree on the benefits of travel: new perspectives, a relaxing reset, improved problem solving skills and many more. This semester, I have had reasons to spend some weekends going on mini road trips around Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa. I visited my friend in Des Moines and went to the Iowa State Fair, I stayed with a friend in Sioux Falls and I went to Lincoln one Saturday for a Husker tailgate. Each time, I’ve come home from my trip with a full cup, feeling refreshed and inspired. These trips have made me realize that travel is more available than we would normally think; regional travel, with destinations between 30 minutes to four hours away, can give you all the benefits we look for in a trip without having to spend an exorbitant amount of time or money.
It is easy to get comfortable in the Creighton Bubble, thinking of life in terms of assignments, dining halls and the occasional night out. But while Omaha has a lot to offer, it can be extremely beneficial to get out and into a different setting. I visited Lincoln for fun, but it made me consider what it would be like to go to a big football school and appreciate what I like about the size and culture of Creighton. Every place you visit, whether 50 or 5,000 miles away, brings an opportunity to see a different way of life and gain new understanding, whether you realize it or not.
I also love a corn-lined country road. Getting out and driving on an open highway, even if it’s just for half an hour, is good for the soul. Even when I have gone to Gretna and Fremont lately, I find myself embracing the serenity, putting on “Wide Open Spaces” by the Chicks and smiling at the way the sun hits the road.
Finally, these trips have made me appreciate the value of hospitality. My relationships with the people I visited all grew in a special way as they showed me their favorite spots and the stories that accompanied them, took care of me and let me get a glimpse into their lives for a little bit. People have been visiting and staying with each other for centuries; it is a tradition that bonds us in a way that can’t be replicated.
Having a refresh doesn’t always need to involve a flight or a lengthy drive or a large sum of money. Go home with your friend for a weekend. Visit one of the closer towns like Ashland or Nebraska City. Pool gas money with a friend, grab your favorite energy drink from a nearby gas station and hit the road. Spend a weekend seeking wide open spaces … you won’t regret it!