Travel

Although there is a quote famously attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, “it’s not the destination, it’s the journey,” I strive to enjoy both the journey and the destination. I am blessed to have the means to travel and travel frequently but there were leaner and more limited times in my past. I remember my early Army days when money was tight and I could only afford an airline ticket back to West Virginia to see my family and even later, once I became a mother, I planned most vacations on a limited budget, often saving for months to give the kids experiences and memories. All these years later, I don’t remember pinching pennies or checking the bank to ensure there was enough in the checking account to safely return home, but what I do remember was my rule of thumb for vacation planning, every trip must include history, nature and fun. Those were the tenets of my childhood vacations, probably because my mother has a history minor and most certainly because I grew up in a state that has less than 15 percent of its land developed. The kids and I have hiked in multiple mountain ranges, swam in multiple oceans, tread though spooky cemeteries, planted orange trees, and imagined how old buildings were built. We camped in tents and ordered room service, but most importantly, we made memories along the way, often arriving late to our destinations. As a retired Army Soldier, planning is ingrained in me and there are times and locations where it can be critical, but I have learned to relax, take the detour, and enjoy the sunsets.

There is a happy blend of planned and spontaneous and I hope to share some of the tips and tricks I have learned through our travels both in the US and abroad in upcoming blog posts. Through the years, my bags have gotten lighter with some space to space, which is always a bonus if I want to bring a gift or two back to my favorite people.