I enjoy traveling and I especially enjoy traveling to or through places and spaces that people generally refer to as “the middle of nowhere.”

Places and spaces are how you see them and one person’s nowhere is bound to be another’s somewhere. Here in the Dakotas to get from somewhere to somewhere you’re most likely going to have to travel through nowhere. I feel a tinge of sadness for travelers who don’t have this luxury and are always stuck in the middle of somewhere.

I’ve visited with people several times after they’ve completed their maiden voyage across South Dakota from Sioux Falls to Rapid City and most have the same thing to say about the journey, “Man, there is nothing out there.” I say that too, but whereas I say it with a bit of reverence, they say it with a tone of disgust, like it’s a bad thing.

What exactly do they want or need out there? A couple hundred mimes, clowns and jugglers lining the shoulder to entertain them the entire way? Must we always have “something” to occupy our attention and distract us from the apparent horribleness of “nothing?”

I enjoy settling in for a long drive through the middle of nowhere, and often times will forget to turn on the radio and completely ignore the mimes, clowns, and jugglers for a couple hundred miles. A mind left to wander can lead you anywhere when you’re in the middle of nowhere. Try it once, you won’t be bored, might be a little frightened and confused, but frightened and confused make the miles fly by.

Perhaps it’s not for everyone, and maybe your shrink doesn’t recommend you letting your mind wander for fear of it not returning. DISCLAIMER: This is not an advice column so I cannot be held liable for any issues that arise as a result of you, the reader attempting anything I suggest. Furthermore, no mimes, clowns, or jugglers were harmed during the writing of this column. A Shetland pony sprained an ankle but that was a completely unrelated incident.

Another thing you should be made aware of in the event that you find yourself traveling with me from somewhere to somewhere is that if I’m not driving, I’m most likely sleeping. This is most likely the fault of my parents (isn’t everything) as they used to put me to sleep when I was being a difficult child by stuffing me in the car and driving around until I fell asleep.

So, for that reason I am a terrible co-pilot and should not be relied upon by the driver for conversation or entertainment. The best I can do is keep you entertained with my slack jawed head bobbing and occasional full body twitch instigated by nightmares involving highways lined with mimes and clowns. Sometimes balloon animals bite.

The next time you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, allow yourself a deep sigh of relaxed contentment, because sooner or later, you’re going to find yourself stuck in the middle of somewhere again. Somewhere where everyone and everything is busy vying for your time and attention and a mind has no room to roam.