Timeless May 2020 | Page 7

Travel . The word often brings to mind ideas about extended time off work, extensively planned itineraries and long stretches of time in the car, on a plane or even on a ship. But Meridian couple Donna and Ed Owen can find absolute magic on a day trip to watch birds, ride bikes, gaze at surprising architecture, eat in a funky restaurant or roam around an out-of-the-way museum. “Travel can be so simple,” said Donna Owen, who is in the advertising business. “There is so much to see and do, right around here. You don’t have to travel far to see things that are interesting or beautiful or surprising. Those things are everywhere.” When the weather is pleasant, the couple often packs their bikes or kayaks and heads somewhere to look at nature and bird watch. They might spend the night away, or they might plan on returning that night. Often, they leave home without a hotel reservation. “We can’t make a reservation because we aren’t quite sure where we will end up or when,” Donna explained. Often, it is nature that intrigues the couple. Sometimes, when they leave home they have a goal – like that they Donna and Ed Owen often pack their bikes to ride as they look at nature. “Travel can be so simple. There is so much to see and do, right around here. You don’t have to travel far to see things that are interesting or beautiful or surprising. Those things are everywhere.” Donna Owen can’t return home until they see 35 different species of birds or 10 different birds from the same species. They refuse to eat at chain restaurants, and Ed Owen often finds himself falling for places that are quaint or unexpected. “I like the hole in the wall places,” Ed said. “I find that adds a certain flavor to the trip. It makes things interest- ing.” Because their adult children live in Memphis and Chattanooga, Tennessee, they often build shorter trips off of visits to see them, taking different backroads each time. “Sometimes we are in a rush to get to the kids, but then we take our time coming home,” she said. Within Mississippi, the couple has especially enjoyed traveling along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, kayaking or riding bikes. “You can get a different perspective of things when you aren’t in a car,” Donna said, adding that they also enjoy the Vicksburg area. Still, even when they are in a car, they refuse to get in too much of a hurry, Donna said. “Ed is very patient with me,” she said, laughing. “It’s not unusual for us to drive past something and for me to www.meridianstar.com •7