Sunday, January 22, 2012

#8 Take a trip

I love to travel. How much? Sometimes, when the travel bug bites me, I get on Google Earth  and I take virtual trips….yes, you heard me. On Google Earth, you can get a bird’s eye view of almost anywhere it the world! I’ve seen the Pyramids of Giza this way, flown over the Sacre Coeur in Paris, and admired the Amalfi Coast of Italy. It’s not the same, but it takes the edge off. I can’t even watch “Passport to Europe with Samantha Brown” anymore because I spend the whole half hour plotting ways to steal her job (covetousness is an ugly thing).  My love for traveling is ironic, actually.  Growing up (like, until Jr. High) I couldn't stay the night away from my parents.  I couldn't go to slumber parties, sleepovers, or camp.  But now, I love to travel. I love airports, train stations, and subways (although bus stations I don’t care for….I had a run in with a man in his underwear at a bus station in Wales once.  I think bus stations are the armpit of society).  I love planning trips, packing for them, and looking at maps.  I love visiting museums, monuments, and other tourist traps.  I love seeing things I've read about or seen in books.  I love eating at different restaurants, shopping, and taking pictures!  I love interacting with people different than myself, especially if they have a great accent!  I even love when things don't go as planned, because it usually makes for a great story.  Even from my limited travels, I have an abundance of stories and memories....but I want more.

So I put “Take a trip” on my list. I know, I know, this one is pretty vague. But I did that on purpose. While I would love to have put, “Go to Paris” or “Visit New York” on my list, I had to be realistic. While being a teacher affords me plenty of time to travel, it hasn’t provided me with an overflowing piggy bank. I made #8 “Take a trip” and left it open for inspiration and opportunity.

Well, I actually squeezed several little trips into this year.  Nothing exotic, but fun and memorable nonetheless.  I went to Portland thrice!  I normally make one trip to Portland in the summer to visit one of my very best friends, and former college roommate, Jenn.  She called me in February to tell me that she was engaged! I was just starting a week off from school when she called, so I booked a flight for my first of three trips I would make for the wedding.  There was a...

Dress shopping trip (the week following her engagement!)…



Isn't my friend a beautiful bride?!

a bridal shower trip…

Jenn's shower theme was "Lemons and Lavender"

and a wedding trip…

After my Maid of Honor toast

Getting ready for the ceremony!

Yep, that's me, leaping for the bouquet.  I got it!


Two days after Jenn's wedding, I went to join my family in Fort Bragg. My family escapes the heat of summer and camps in Fort Bragg for two weeks every July. There are usually anwhere from 15 to 20 of us camping together.  We circle the trailers (or in my case, a tent) and we eat, play on the beach, relax, eat, ride bikes, take walks, eat, make s’mores, go into town to shop, read, and eat

Reading on the beach...my favorite!

I let the water get close, but it's too cold to swim in!

When talking with my sister-in-law, Jennifer (different than Jenn and Jeni…yes, it gets confusing sometimes) about what to get my niece and nephews for Christmas, we decided that they already have enough “stuff”. We thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun to surprise them with a trip to Disneyland?”  My parents booked the flights (it would be the kids’ first time flying), the hotel, and the park tickets. We even booked a limo to take us from the airport to our hotel, as it was only slightly more than a shuttle.  It was my dad's first time in a limo!  We left on Christmas day for Disneyland and we had a blast (with about 80,000 other people)!

The kids' first time flying!

Getting away from the crowds for a snack!


Riding the Double Decker Bus down Main Street, Disneyland


Jenn (the newlywed) came to visit in December and we took a mini-vacay to San Francisco. It’s been a dream of ours to visit New York City during Christmas time. San Francisco at Christmas time was our budget friendly alternative. It didn’t disappoint, either!   I even drove there (I'd never driven in downtown San Francisco before)!

We stayed at a fancy hotel...



Rode the cable cars



















Ice skated in Union Square




















Went to a Men and Boy's Christmas Concert at Grace Cathedral



















Prayed at Tiffany’s



















And ate very well!















Although I would travel anywhere if the opportunity presented itself, here is my top ten list of trips I‘d LOVE to take.  (Some of these places I've already visited (albeit briefly), but they were so great, I want to go back!)

1. Paris, France

2. Florence, Italy and Tuscany

3. New York City at Christmas (or anytime, really)

4. Salzburg (It looks beautiful in the winter, but a summer “Sound of Music“ Tour would be great, too)

5. Ireland (Castles, the Blarney Stone, and Chips and Vinegar!)

6. Venice, Italy (Gondola ride, please!)

7. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

8. England (Jane Austen Tour, perhaps)

9. The Holy Land (To walk where Jesus walked!)

10. Somewhere Tropical…as long as there’s white sand, warm, blue-green water, and a hammock.  I don’t discriminate!


Someday, somehow, I plan on making it to at least some of these far off destinations.  In the meantime, I've got Google Earth and little adventures close to home.

Happy Trails!

2 comments:

  1. I'm so blessed to have gotten to spend so much time with you this year! (It'll never be enough, in my book, until we live in the same town.) Here's to me praying that God's special man for you is in Portland. ;) Love you to pieces, my friend! I love your blog, too!!! Hugs from the river! Love you, Jenn

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my adventurous friend!! I will travel vicariously through you ;)
    P.S. Jenn- Don't be trying to steal her!! :)

    ReplyDelete