I’ve had a couple of jobs where I needed to commute to work. Those varied from 20 minutes to an hour. For the past 8 years I’ve not had to deal with that. I’m not a fan of commuting and considered commuting a waste of “my” time. There are too many other things I would rather spend my time doing, like photography. I also work with flight crew who live in other cities (Austin, Seattle, etc.) but are based in Denver and commute to work. There are some commuters who will have two flights rather than one which means part of their days off will be spent getting to and from work. If flights are full or there are delays they may not make their flight(s) home. It’s tough on them.
However, this summer that will change as I move back into my condo in Fort Collins. It then will take me about an hour and a half to get to the airport, and that’s in good weather. However, I’m planning on working halftime, two trips a month, so I will only need to commute about twice a month. That works for a short time.
This morning, I bundled up good and headed out to again meet the morning sunrise, out in nature and away from the city. It was really a combined scouting trip. I drove in a direction I’d never been before and went farther than I expected. To my enjoyment I found some new areas worth shooting that included several groves of trees and rolling hills. As, I headed back to my apartment, I looked down at my odometer and realized I’d just driven about 60 miles round trip. I had to laugh because here I was commuting to enjoy the sunrise. So, I commute for my solitude and sanity.
I also apologize in advance for future postings of these new found groves of trees. 🙂
9 Comments
Ann Courtney
I too think that commuting is a terrible waste of our time and am glad that the furthest I ever had to travel was 9 miles. Now I travel many miles but all for photography. 🙂
No need to apologise – it looks a very interesting place.
Have a Happy Holiday time Monte.
Monte Stevens
We’ll find out how interesteing it is. I would find it more interesting if it was warmer. 🙂
Ken Bello
I worked with some folks that lived 50 and 60 miles away and spent a lot of time on the road. Typically we worked 50-60 hours a week and all they did was drive work and sleep. It doesn’t bother some people but that may be because they didn’t have any outside interests to fill the down time. Now that I have more spare time it seems I still never have enough hours in the day to do everything I want.
I visited Ft. Collins a few years ago and thought it was a beautiful area. I wished I could have stayed longer.
Monte Stevens
Fort Collins is a wonderful place to live. It has a lot to offer us. I can attest to the impact development has had on the city. We now have traffic jams and many new housing developments and malls to suit my taste. I also like the location, a shor tfrive the to east and I have wide open plains. A short drive to the west and I have the ROcky Mountians.
Earl
The longer commute will probably be bearable since you’ll only be doing it half as often. Our perception of time is a funny thing isn’t it? Lovely photo…bring those trees on!
Monte Stevens
You are right about our perception of time. It sure has changed for me over the past few years. If it wasn’t for my job requirements, I would not wear a watch. Work my day around the daylight hours.
Paul
I’ve done my share of commuting, Monte, and you’re right, it’s a grand waste of time … unless you’re heading out to find new photographic discoveries. Then, the trip is worthwhile! 🙂
That’s a very nice area that you found. I look forward to exploring it ‘with’ you.
Monte Stevens
I know not everyone feels commuting is a waste, such as those who ride the train or subway to work, but I don’t have that. And, I hope to get back out to that area for more images.
Mark
I tend to agree – waste of time commuting, which is why I left my first real job out of college. The 50 minute commute would turn to 2-3 hours in the winter time.
The only thing it is good for is if you are planning to learn several new languages. 🙂
That said, I am usually commuting for sunrises also. To get to a spot where I can clearly see the horizon is at least 30-50 minutes away depending on the spot.