Amy Sue's Travelogue: Mystery Tour Day 4

 Day 4 Mystery Tour finale

Simple itinerary today. Arise in Bismarck, push the pancake button, drink a cup of coffee, and board the bus for home. On I-94 the bus made an unexpected right turn into ND32. But then this is Mystery Tour so why was I surprised? We drove south for 18 minutes and stopped at one of the best schoolhouse restorations I’ve ever seen—and I’ve seen a few. The Nome Schoolhouse. We ate a fantastic lunch and then learned the art of needle felting. I made a string of stars and fell in love. With needle felting, that is.
Mystery Tour 2022 ended today back in Brainerd. For my last reflection, I’m giving you four travel tips to end day four. I gathered them from my companions on the bus.
1. Whether introvert or extrovert, everyone thought traveling with a group was a satisfying experience. It’s easy to connect if you want to, and equally easy to wander on your own if you need to recharge alone. Several people shared tips for overcoming the fear of travel, but Gilbert (16 trips on his badge) said it best, ”Just go!” When I came to Lorraine (1 trip on her badge), she also nailed it, “Travel is wonderful. Don’t be afraid. Just go.”
2. Almost everyone listed ”be open to new experiences” as their number 1 travel tip. Funny thing happened day 2. The brown wooden box the driver puts on the ground, to make the first step less steep, got left behind on the curb. When we got off at the next stop, it was a long, long, looong leg-stretch down to the pavement. After the stop, the driver circled back and found the lost box right on the curb where we left it. I asked my bus mates about it. Was losing the box an irritation? Every single person got the giggles when I mentioned the lost box. It was inconvenient, yes, but they loved it. Finally Penny (39 trips on her badge) told me why. “Mishaps make the most memorable stories.” Bill the bus driver said it best, “Sugar Honey Ice Tea happens. When it does, you can’t help but laugh.”
3. Practical travel tips ranked high also. Many said to pack light. Joanne (11 trips) likes window seats, “But be kind and switch out with your seat mate.” Marlene the Quiet (15 trips ) said, “Expect early mornings. Go with the flow.” Ione (42 trips) said, “Bring something for the drive.” She prefers soduko. Arlene (a newbie like me) brought too many shoes. Rolf (10 trips) likes maps and checklists. Many mentioned raincoats. Roger (18 trips) packs detergent to hand wash and rewear clothes. Darla (64 trips) said, “Make friends, laugh a lot, and pack a hat.”
4. Then the group took control. “Amy Sue tell us your takeaway from your first trip.” That was an easy one. I’d been thinking about it from Day 1.
Traveling solo, I have total control over where I go, how long I stay, what I eat. But it’s a one-note show. I’m the only one seeing it. I’m the only one processing the experience. This week I was blown away by group travel. This week expanded my senses. I saw the world more completely, more robustly than when I traveled alone. This week I walked in technicolor instead of black and white. I felt like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. She steps onto the yellow brick road and movie changes from black and white to living color! The experience entered a whole new dimension. That's what group travel did for me. I loved every minute of it.
Starting Monday, I’m putting away some of my paycheck for travel. I’d dearly love to do the Sweet Home Alabama tour this fall (Nov 3-14), because day 9 we will walk the Edmund Pettis Bridge and hear a first hand account from someone who was there in person marching that day. And three nights in a room right on Orange Beach is intriguing too!
If I can save enough before it’s sold out, I will book the trip and write it up. Comment below if an Alabama travelogue interests you.
Or check out the PTS Tours website. Maybe take a trip yourself? www.PTSTours.com
What a great week. Thanks for reading along!

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