I have lived many places in my life.
I love traveling and seeing the sight of the world and exploring and learning other cultures and what makes them unique, especially through their food.
I finally got my passport about 2 years ago to go on a cruise with a friend that November. We were going to be going to Montego Bay Jamaica, Grand Cayman Islands, and Cozumel Mexico, leaving from New Orleans.
I had never been out of the country prior nor had I been to New Orleans Lousiana. I was so stoked to get my passport stamped and to go on the ocean (which was one of my biggest fears; your girl can’t swim).
At the end of a 14-day trip, I had experienced the ocean, New Orleans and two new cultures. Oh, but did you know that one does not get a stamp on their passport unless you are in the country for 24 hours or more? I did not know that. So needless to say, no passport stamps for me (sad face).
Never-the-less, that trip reignited the traveler that lives inside of me. I was ready to get out and see all the beauty, people and food from around the world. I have a list of place I want to travel and explore, the first being the closest to me, Victoria Canada. However, 2 years later, I have yet to go anywhere!!!
Well, I have to tell you, I had become discouraged; the travel bug raging, but not being able to do anything about it. Typical obstacle standing in the way; money, family responsibilities, time.
Finally, I had to re-evaluate my attitude; travel does not have to be far or out of my home country. Travel for me was to go someplace new, someplace I had not seen before. I decided, until I could go and visit all the exotic places around the world, I would travel and explore my backyard. My backyard meaning my city, my state and the states around me.
I have lived in Oregon for over 14 years and it is a beautiful place. I have only explored about 2% of it and I know that there are some beautiful things to see right here, as well as the states surrounding me.
Again, as I said, sometimes travel starts right at home and that was the begin of my plan. So the plan: start seeing the beauties around me; this would save money because I could drive instead of fly. Take my kids with me; this means my family responsibilities were right next to me and they could experience the travel and beauties right along with me. And time: I was always taught that we make time for the things and people that are important to us, so I would find a way to travel, be it on the weekends or short school breaks, etc.
The plan was set, and I began this Summer 2018. I took a few road trips, here are the list of places:
Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City Oregon;
Tillamook, Oregon to the Tillamook Cheese Factory; (<<< click for the vlog)
Hagg Lake in Gaston, Oregon;
Multnomah Falls;
Walla, Walla Washington; (<<<click for the vlog)
Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks, Oregon;
The Columbia River Gorge.
That was 8 trips this summer alone and all were exceptionally beautiful in their own rights. All making me realize that there is beauty everywhere and the best place to start to travel is in my own large backyard.
Now, don’t go think I have given up on traveling far and wide and getting my passport stamped because I have not!!! I have plans to road trip to Victoria Canada in 2019, but for other places, it may take me a little longer than I want to get to there, but in the meantime, there is still plenty to see close to home.
If you have recommendations for travel that you feel are extraordinary, must see in your lifetime places, please leave it in the comments below.
Until next time, travel safe and explore!!!
