Travel has always been in my blood. For me it all started when I was barely potty trained and I started going on road trips with my Nama and Papa in their brown (with stunning dried mustard yellow interior) 1971 VW Camper Van. I was little and that van was the equivalent of a bounce house for my kids today. It had the sink and mini fridge, the bench seat in the back that made into a queen bed and when we actually camped in it, a hammock for me that hung over the two front seats and no seat belts or car seats (gasp!). My Nama and Papa had an unnatural fear of flying, so we did all of our traveling by car back then and we traveled like it was a job. We managed 38 states by car by the time I graduated high school.

Papa was career Navy and I remember for a class project going through all the countries he had been to, and my little brain was just blown. When I told him about wanting to visit Paris, and Egypt and Hong Kong, he told me that there were very few places he enjoyed (quite possibly because he visited most of them during war time, so there were probably very few tourist attractions open) and that I should know my own country before I run off to get to know other countries. I promised him then that I would visit all 50 states before I ventured out.

I have now been to 48 states and have incredible experiences in each one and thanks to a journal my family made me keep when I was little (1980’s blogging I guess) I remember something from almost every state. That’s right, only two states left, and hope to take you on my journey when I make it to Hawaii and Alaska to complete all 50 states very soon.

And now, the journey continues with my boys. We just can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.