Let’s Get This Party Started!

Hello and welcome to my blog! Before we begin, I’d like to set out the groundwork. In other words, I’d really like to explain more about my future blog intentions. I have this vision in my head, but I also know the limitations I have in making what I envision work out exactly like I have planned. So, here are my goals:

1. Share my love of travel.
2. Provide insights into how and what I do when I travel. Obviously, many different people have different styles, but there are things I always do that make things work for me. I just want to share those thoughts with you.
3. Recognize that even exploring my hometown is a form of travel. After all, many of you who read this blog might not even know much about Missouri. If you come to this wonderful state, you might wonder, “What in the world can I do here?” I’m here to tell you many things. Hopefully as I share about my home, you’ll begin to recognize that your town also has so many things to offer. Maybe you live in a small town; maybe you live in a big town. However, there are always things to do and ways to enjoy where you are.
4. Work through the emotions I feel daily. Travel isn’t always easy. Flights have delays. Excursions are canceled. There are definitely elements that could prevent a trip from starting on the right foot. In addition, you might be carrying some extra baggage as you travel. I am. My baggage includes making new memories with those I didn’t expect while remembering how it used to be…and wishing it still was. I want to say I LOVE TRAVEL. I love learning, and I love infusing myself into different cultures. However, I carry the baggage of sadness too. I wanted to spend my life sharing these adventures with one particular person. When that dream came crashing down, I had to pick myself up and start again. It wasn’t a complete restart, but I’ve had to find the wonder and desire again. Yes, I still travel and see things in the world that remind me of my past–a car like the one we purchased, a fruit we devoured while outside the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. So many things… I sometimes am able to just smile and move on. Other times, I cry a bit and give myself a pity party. All the time, I recognize what a gift travel is and I pick myself up and get back on the trail. The baggage we all have is hard to carry, but I hope as time goes on, I’ll be able to unpack the items in that suitcase and travel lighter. Maybe this blog will help with that.

So, let’s begin! I think I’ll be starting with the adventures of this summer. I hope you find helpful hints, personal insights, and a joy in this blog. Here we go….