In my opinion, there is no such thing as frivilous travel. Even so, I've found that a lot of people seem to need a reason to travel sometimes. And when they don't have a reason, they end up cashing in their vacation time and staying home - which is a shame.
I have yet to have this problem. I have the complete opposite "problem."
While I love all of my friends and feel very honored to be invited to their weddings, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, baby showers, house warming parties and divorce parties (yep), any vacation time or money that I might have used for my own adventures goes toward these festivites.
My vacation time is not only booked for this year but I already know how I'll be using it next year as well.
I'm not complaining - much - but I almost wish I knew how the other half lived. Not the rich half. I'm referring to the group of people whose summers aren't booked up by late spring, and aren't in multiple weddings a year (sometimes even on the groom's side).
Reflecting on my own habits and behavior, it almost seems like I need the structure. I need to be told "Ok, you have five weddings this summer so plan accordingly." Otherwise, I'd probably squander my time away anyway on silly things like having time to make photo albums, or go for a long ADK hike like I used to before I got to "that age" where everyone was getting married, having babies, and buying houses.
I miss my freedom sometimes with these things, even though I know I can say no - I don't want to because I love my friends dearly and want them to know that by being there at these important milestones in life.
I was having a conversation with my friends who came along to Ommegang this weekend about this and how one of them had not really gone on a vacation in a while and she talked about the days she was traveling a lot due to weddings and the like. I thought she would be relieved not to be bogged down by these things anymore but it almost sounded just the opposite, that she missed going to the events and having a reason to hop on a plane and see friends, even if it was just for a weekend.
There's the cliche that you don't know what you have until it's gone. I know what I have and I truly appreciate it. I'm blessed with good friends, good health, and a starving-artist salary that somehow allows me to do what I want, with few sacrifices.
And I think I will miss these busy wedding seasons and summers.
But I also think I will enjoy that first year that I get to decide where I'm going for my summer vacation and picking that spot for no other reason than that it's a place I want to visit.