A Vagabond's Story

I think undoubtedly, Roughing It, demonstrates the concept of Americans treating the highway as “sacred space.” Although, the time period in which Mark Twain is writing falls before the use of the interstate system, there are still similarities between the two. I believe that any use of mass transit to escape the everyday hassle of one’s life, regardless of the time period, all have some of the same underlying factors. We all decide to travel for one reason or another. The reasoning may have slightly changed over time, however, whether one’s journey begins because of overall boredom of one’s life, the idea of a better life elsewhere, or the exploration of new land; they all are rooted with the need of escape.

Twain describes his travels as “several years of variegated vagabondizing.” I find this statement to be so enticing. To be able to endlessly travel without an exact end location seems rich in knowledge and experience. I think this most holds true to the storyline behind Roughing It, for Twain is taking the newly founded Railroad. There really wasn't an exact location of stopping, other than the generalized destination of the west. This can directly be related to travel by interstate. If one felt the need and desire to getaway, he or she could simply hop in a car and just drive with no general destination, simply direction; north, east, south, or west.

Personally, there is something so freeing about driving. You are not only physically separating yourself from the current blasé flow of life, but you are mentally journeying. There is something enthralling about buckling up for a road trip. To physically being able to look in the rearview mirror and see distance growing between you and the known is an emancipation in a sense.  I think Primeau nails it when he talks of solitude. When I’m indulging in moments of solitude is when I dive deeply into my own thoughts and visions of the world.

However, that doesn’t mean the road trips that I’ve taken with others haven’t provided me with the same sense of fuel. Driving from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City was one of my favorite drives. The color story was enough stimuli to inspire me for months. Being able to experience that with someone else is special. To know that you and only one other person will recall the moments spent in that car is remarkable to think about. Just two in a world of billion. 

The Importance of Herodtous

The father of history, Herodtous, is a staple of this class and fundamentally important to its structure because of the field research, in a sense, that Herodtous was notorious for. Herodtous kept a detailed journal of his ventures while in Greece and Persia. Through this journal he was able to keep descriptive details and encounters of the vast land he found himself on, giving insight to a land unseen. This is a quality that should be noted when traveling. Journaling is not only beneficial for self-reflection of one’s journey, but also to keep on log for future recall of past events.

There is a debate between an individual as a traveler and an individual as a tourist. I believe it is safe to say Herodtous was indeed a traveler, for he immersed himself deeply in the culture through his travels and documented such findings. He took great interest in the terrain that surrounded him and indulged in the culture to feed his need of knowing more.  This is by far one of the most notable qualities, in my opinion, that Herodtous obtains, the need of new knowledge.  Whenever I am traveling, there are so many questions to be answered. There are so many new avenues one can venture down. The need for knowledge and the thirst for new scenery are huge driving factors in embarking on new journeys.  Without these two, one has become the tourist.

Although, I found the content of the reading a little dry, the findings within the document are important to today’s history. Without someone in past years boldly traveling and documenting said individual’s time, the people of today and yesteryear may have had no idea about any differing culture, landscapes, communication, or way of life. All of which contributes to a very deep, rich history of not only to America, but also globally.

If anything can be taken away from Herodtous, the importance of keeping a journal can be well noted. Although, we are young now and may be able to reminice about past travels quite easily, the future will soon be upon us and our memory will fade, a journal will help spark past memories of absolute adventure. A journal can also work much like a history book. The country or state that you visited last week will morph into something much different in ten years.

I think it is also important to note that a journal doesn’t always have to be written. It can be video recordings, voice recordings, or photographic documentation. Everyone’s journal won’t share the same page, express your travels how you feel best comfortable. After all, travel not only frees us from our current location, but also our mind. Travels are your own self expression of life.