A Playlist and a Story

I started traveling before before my first birthday. In my 24-years of life, I have lived in Italy, Costa Rica and all around the U.S. I’ve driven on many road trips, train rides across Europe and plane rides over oceans. I feel at home with a backpack on my back, or suitcase in hand. I call myself a wanderlusting seeker who embraces the unknown and the open road.

I named this playlist “The Open Road,” because there’s something powerful about you, the open (empty) road, your thoughts and of course, the music the accompanies you and inspires you, along the way, along the journey.

As music often does, it floats us to another place, connecting us to memories, experiences and people. Each song in this playlist was carefully selected, with the imagery in mind of growth, change, being alone (and being okay with that) while on the open road…of life. This playlist takes me back - through lyrics, sound and the experiences I’ve had with each song, while traveling.

As V.T. Neelkantan writes, “Afoot and lighthearted I take to the open road, healthy, free, the world before me, the long brown path before me leading whenever I choose. Henceforth I ask not good fortune, I am myself good fortune. Henceforth, I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing. Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticism. Strong and content I travel The Open Road.”

Grace driving West on I-80. One of her many drives on the open road.

Just me :)

On top of Pike’s Peak, Colorado Springs, CO, surveying the road.

Grace Boyle, is a 20-something adventurista. She lives in Boulder, CO and is the Publisher Services Manager for the tech startup, Lijit. Her blog is Small Hands, Big Ideas (yes, she has really small hands) where she writes about relationships, career and daily inspirations. She loves traveling, connecting with people, wine, yoga, nicknames and laughter.