My new job has me traveling a bit. On one hand that means airport cuisine, countless nights camping out in hotel rooms and the constant complaining of my confused internal clock. But on the other hand it means exploration. Sure, my travel is business related…but I’ll gladly exchange lack of sleep for slipping away to check out new places after business is done.

I recently had the chance to explore Yellowstone. Well, at least as much as one can explore of that enormous park in two days. Aside from being one of the most magical places I’ve ever been, it reminded me that sometimes the best places to explore aren’t always the farthest away.

Walking through the kaleidoscope of colored hot vents in the geyser basin areas, I realized how reckless I’ve been for focusing so much on traveling to far away places that I’d failed to realize how many wonders there are right here in the states. Yellowstone is beautiful. Herds of bison litter the roadside, hot springs and mud pots collaborate to form an alien landscape and a backdrop of skies filled with the smoke of forest fires reminds you of nature’s humbling power.

Yellowstone wielded the best treasures of any place I’ve ever explored. The best part: Yellowstone was completely absent from my list of must see places. I will wander among the Nile’s pyramids, touch the Roman columns and breath the ancient Constantinople air…one day. But in the meantime, I’ll take many more detours.

Exploration is more about state of mind than about travel itineraries. During the couple of days I spent wondering what I’d find around the next bend, Yellowstone lent me something I’d lost along with my childhood: imagination.

I’ll be back to borrow that from Yellowstone again, soon.