Driving home in the rain from a party last night, a new friend and I discussed my upcoming trip. With my reputation as a travel fiend among my friends, Andrew related his shock: "You know, John, I don't think you've taken a trip since I've known you!"

Fortunately, I've only known Andrew since mid-July. Unfortunately, I've known Andrew since mid-July -- its been 5 weeks since I've sat my toosh in a floatable cushion! What a relief, then, that today marks the start of a three-week long stint of solid mileage-earning. I get to board a plane at least twice a week between now and mid-September -- and at least one of those trips with Drew!

If you're like me, flying is one of a few purely enjoyable activities in the world. Whenever we land and I walk down the jetbridge, I'm already eager for the next time I get to board again. You might liken it to unstrapping your skis at Breckenridge after a day of uncrowded slopes and great powder. Or smiling after eating four powdered Godiva chocolate truffles. If you're a car buff, test drive a Porsche Cayenne up to 85 mph down an empty freeway, then take it back to the dealership. Yeah, that's the feeling.

I call it "longing upwards." Hiking another 14er last weekend with some friends, I would thrust my eyes to the sky everytime I heard jet engines, roving my sight back-and-forth looking for the source. I wanted to be there! Leonardo da Vinci knew what I meant. "Why fly?" he asks. "For once you have tested flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward; for there you have been, and there you long to return."

And here I am. On my way to our nation's capital to spend a weekend with family from Europe. Life is glorious!