The above quote says just about everything that you need to know about me and the way I travel, but I can share a bit more.
I became an accidental cruiser after hesitantly agreeing to sail the South Pacific. Hooked since that fateful day, I have sailed on both large and small ships throughout the world. I have been on over 100 cruises.
I have also organized and led trips for teenagers and adults, but some of my most memorable was those guiding teenagers on month-long bicycle tours in Mexico and New Zealand and volunteering in Mexico.
An award-winning writer and photographer, I subscribe to the Dalai Lama’s advice to go somewhere new as often as possible. Serendipitous experiences typify some of my most memorable travel moments.
Genetically inclined to explore the world, I enjoy both travel that requires physical effort as well as experiences that allow for effortless discovery. After having lost much of my vision, my travel leans toward more effortless discovery. Now just seeing and navigating the way requires physical effort. I travel with my husband and seeing-eye-guy.
Still each trip includes some element of adventure be it physical, mental, cultural or social. My adventures have occurred in 50 of the US states, many Mexican states and Canadian provinces, much of Europe and smatterings of other destinations on seven continents. Hailing from the Midwest, I understand that every place has its own story worth telling.
Professionally I have contributed to both magazine and newspapers includingAAA,Cruise Maven, Cruise Radio, EatSleepCruise, Wander With Wander, Fodors, Travel Market Report, Travel42, Porthole Cruise and Travel, Long Weekends, Newsweek and more. I blogged for Ohio Tourism and published Essential Cruising and Travel I have written or contributed to several books including The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Garage Solutions; Bed Breakfast and Bike Midwest, NASCAR Mobil Guide, Moon Handbook Hudson Valley, Fun With the Family New York, Portland to Portland, Fodor’s Michigan and others.
My unbridled enthusiasm for travel manifests itself in more than the written word. I have delved into photography, podcasting, videography and social media with the ultimate goal of sharing my experiences with the rest of the world. To put it simply, I love travel and believe the world would be a better place if we all traveled.
I am the age-proud co-host of the podcast Living the Could Life – started to help others with later in life body disruptions, continue to travel. WE do travel with our children and grandchildren as well.