Wanderlust...
I love that word. About 7 years ago I took my first trip out West. I had just gone through a very hard time in my life and it was just the thing I needed. It was the first time I was introduced to the concept of “wide open spaces”. I had never been west of Illinois before then. I was on a road trip with my sister, to-be-brother-in-law, nephew, cousin, cousin’s wife and their 2 kids; all in one big RV. We were the tourons from Hell. 
On this trip, we stopped at all the usual touron jaunts. Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, got stranded about 30 miles North of Fillmore, UT and had to spend 3 days there until we found a new RV to rent (but didn’t realize the jems of National Parks that were nearby
) (and all the while ogling the wildfire firemen that would be staying at the same Best Western
), Las Vegas and on to San Diego where my Sister would be married.
This was the trip that I was first introduced to the concept of backpacking. 
While in Yellowstone, with my brother-in-law navigating this huge RV up into the mountains, I got my first glimpse of some people with backpacks on at a trailhead around Mammoth Hot Springs somewhere. The first thought that came into my head and I ended up blurting out was “I’m going to do that someday!” Everyone thought I was crazy. (They still think I’m crazy.
) While going passed the Tetons, my thought was “I’d love to stand among those mountains and feel their power”.
Watching the change from the northern mountains to the mountains of the desert Southwest was spectacular. I watched the cliffs turn from gray/brown/black to a deep color of red and rust. I’m so glad I witnessed it. I often wonder where I’d be if that trip had never happen. I shudder at the thought.
Since that trip, I’ve taken a number of trips back out west. I’ve been to Arizona a couple of times. About 2 years ago took another road trip taking I-70 to Utah/AZ hitting most of those beautiful national parks in the Grand Circle we didn’t realize we were so close to 5 years prior. And I spent a little time exploring Joshua Tree NP in California last year.
I lust for the desert, just as some lust to hike or bike across the US or lust for different areas of the country. Perhaps my vision is skewed by my dreams. I’m okay with that. My wanderlust hasn’t died since I made the discovery I belong there. My dreams are slowly falling into place. I start with a vacation in Albuquerque, NM in June. I will be moved to New Mexico by late winter/early spring of 2007. Then I can work on my ultimate dream of living out in the desert, looking out at the mountains, watching the sunset and listening to the coyotes howl.
I trust the rest of my life will fall into place just as it should. My wanderlust will never die where the desert is concerned.
