So far away
Doesn’t anybody stay in one place anymore
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
Doesn’t help to know you’re just time away
“So Far Away,” written by Carole King, appeared on her 1971 album Tapestry.
People keep asking me why I’m moving so far away. The question always reminds me of the time I saw Jane Pauley interview a man on NBC’s TODAY. He was in Seattle and she commented that it was “so far away.” He politely asked, “from New York?” Busted! It was the only time I ever saw her flustered during an interview. She blushed, too.
I have friends all over the place and they all say the same thing. But what they really mean, I think, is that I’ll be so far away from them. I appreciate the sentiment but, in today’s world, it really doesn’t matter so much.
- Dreamliners
- Planes with showers
- Skype
- Miles and points
- FaceTime
- Affordable flights
- Texting
- Lie-flat seats
- 747s and A380s
So it comes down to time, mostly. It takes me about two and half hours to drive from Alexandria to my hometown of Urbanna. Some of the roads are two-lane, there is no flight attendant or caviar, and I certainly can’t take a nap or a shower along the way. On the other hand, it takes a little over 21 hours to fly from DC to Chiang Mai. In a lie-flat seat! I use reward miles to fly business or first class and it is a really, really pleasant experience.
That said, some of the people who are asking “why so far” think nothing of a road trip to Florida or a cross-country trip. Even frequent trips to OBX (brutal!) or Rehoboth. So it really is about time and the experience.
I’d rather take a long-haul flight in business or first class than do any of these things:
- Drive from Fort Lauderdale to Fort Myers on Alligator Alley.
- Drive to Rockville in rush-hour traffic.
- Drive from Fort Lauderdale to Key West on the Overseas Highway.
- Cross the George Washington Bridge.
- Drive from Florida to Virginia on I-95.
Not convinced? Why not just come for a visit and see for yourself? I have a great award booker I can recommend. It would be so fine to see your face at my door.
Splendor in the Lemongrass 
I do miss your Christmas Ornaments, have a nice trip though. It is always nice to see your smiling face, even if it has been a few years
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