Traveling can mean across the globe or across town. The dictionary.com definition is "to go from one place to another, as by car, train, plane, or ship; take a trip; journey." To me that means going ANYWHERE! No matter where you are headed, you can turn it into an adventure; that is kind of my travel philosophy. In living out that philosophy, I have set up a few ground rules for myself. Here they are:
1) View everything as an adventure; look for the unexpected and delightful no matter where you go.
2) Don't be afraid to get lost (How can that really happen in today's gps world?) or to backtrack. I have found that many things look different when seen from the opposite perspective, so U-turns can be a good thing!
3) Take your time and choose the non-highway route. Interstates are for those in a hurry to GET somewhere. I want to enjoy the journey!
4) Keep a list of places you want to go -- near and far, and then take every opportunity to actually go to those places. I have found that instead of my list getting shorter, it grows almost daily. Every book I read or place that I visit seems to bring a new place to mind.
5) Finally, journal about your travels. This doesn't have to be fancy stressful writing. It can be simply putting your pictures on Facebook. Just document where you go and what you see! I keep a travel journal and use Instagram for quick documentation.
These "rules" give me the freedom to go where I want to go without feeling the pressure to make official travel plans. (Although planning trips is one of my favorite things to do!!) They allow me to relax and enjoy while still having a focus to my travels. Having a focus keeps my journey from becoming repetitive or aimless.
I plan to share my journeys and destinations here as often as possible. I love traveling -- seeing unfamiliar places, meeting new people, eating interesting foods, and just soaking in new experiences. Here's to the week-ends, school breaks, and summers that allow me to be a Travel Junkie Teacher!
