My love for travel
I believe my love for travel began at a young age. My family moved from Illinois to SW Florida when I was 9 years old and we took family vacations every summer, back to the Midwest. I was growing up in Paradise in Naples, but really enjoyed our summer vacations in Wisconsin.
Being the oldest of 5 kids, I've always been very independent. I flew to California alone right after high school to visit a friend. A few years later I flew to Minnesota to be in a friend's wedding and decided to move there to attend college. I really loved exploring new areas of the country.
Travel for a Lifetime
Over the years, I've been blessed to be able to take short trips to different places in the US. I regularly travel with family, my kids, my husband, and friends.
I took my son to the Bahamas during the summer of 2014. He was only 10 and this would be his first flight. He loved it. My husband is dreadfully afraid of flying so I wasn't sure how my son would take to it. But he was a natural. So I figured he'd be my travel buddy since my hubby isn't as keen on traveling as I am.
It was a few years ago my son mentioned that he thought it would be cool to travel to all 50 states in the US. We were on a road trip with my husband from our home in Naples (Florida) to Maine. We were driving through 12 states on that trip alone.
He'd already been to approximately 10 states prior to this road trip. So I told him that that would be a fun thing to work towards and I'd love to make that happen with him. He was 11 at the time. So I told him we'd set a goal to visit every state in the US. Our timeline was by the time he graduates from college.
Starting a Lifetime of Travel for My Son
Since that road trip, he and I have flown to Arizona, Texas, Minnesota. This past summer (2018) my husband, son and I fulfilled a long-time bucket list dream of going to Alaska. We flew into Seattle, spent a day, then took a train to Vancouver, Canada, then took a cruise into Alaska. It was a wonderful trip! It also allowed us to check off 2 more states for our journey to visit all 50 states.
- I will NOT travel without a roller bag that will fit under the seat. Just in case there's a flight delay or lost luggage - this extra little bag will hold a jacket, medicine, clean undergarments and anything else I can't go overnight without in case of luggage separation.
- For those long flights, a travel pillow is a MUST. These little pillows that will clip on the roller bag during airport connections are so comfortable if a nap is needed.
- I've become such a germa-phobe that I HAVE to have wet wipes to wipe down the arms of the airplane seat or my own hands before eating anything.
We're about 1/2 way through all 50 states. I'm looking forward to the fun we'll have continuing along this fun and exciting journey visiting our wonderful country.
Do you like to travel? Please share below what exciting trips you've taken. I'd love to hear about your adventures.
With Serenity,
