Not too long ago my husband took a break while on a business trip and spent the night on Mt. Ranier in the fine state of Washington. He called from the cabin where he was staying. He had to use a pay phone because there was no cell reception on the mountain. He was surprised. I was grateful. It made be happy to think there may still be a place or two left on the planet where a cell phone would not work. A place where someone could be alone with their thoughts and nature. Studies frequently show that the benefits of complete down time are essential to a person's well being - thoughts can be fully processed, relaxation achieved and serenity restored.
It used to be a traveller could count on not having cell phone reception on an airplane. Some quiet time to read, talk to your travel companion, or sleep with the only unwanted noise being the cry of a baby. Virgin America is in the process of taking that away. I hope they will give passengers earplugs along with their free beverage service because the last thing I want to hear on an airplane is 200+ people's conversations.
As I write this I am a day away from a trip of my own - a well deserved week in Hawaii where I plan on sitting on the beach and by the pool, swimming, and hiking a volcano (or not). I am packing my cell phone, of course, because it is the one accessory I can't leave home without in case there is a teenage crisis. As I daydream about my trip I am hopeful that I can unplug from the world and sit with my thoughts and nature. I am hopeful there will be at least one place, like Mt. Ranier, where cell phone service is non-existent. If that place exists I will be there...knee deep in the water with the blue sky breeze blowin wind in my hair wearing a big ole sign that says, "Gone Fishin'."Aloha.
Magda
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