Growing up a Navy Brat, the travel bug found me early. You could even say that I learned the wanderer lifestyle in the cradle. Eleven different homes by the age of 131. Eight different schools between Kindergarten and 8th grade. Not to mention the road trips every summer when we visited family. Traveling from all four corners of the USA and driving towards North Dakota, Colorado, and Iowa, suffice it to say, I saw the majority of the USA from the backseat of our minivan. We also vacationed in Sapporo, Hawaii, Guam, and Mexico. We climbed Mt. Fuji (age 9!), explored the Grand Canyon (multiple times), and visited Disney World/Land.
Upon graduating from college (WH08P!), my wanderer bug found me aboard cruise ships, working as Event Staff.2 Keeping the bug alive, two ship friends and I decided to backpack Europe for 50 days.3 Such a blast!
After ships, I settled in Dallas, to be near friends and within 5 hours of family. Worked as an Assistant Apartment Manager for 3 years then jumped to Parks & Recreation for another 4. I continued to take big 4 and small 5 trips, but alas, that persistent travel bug.
Quit my job and spent the next 10 months exploring the National Parks of the USA6. So many beautiful areas explored.
Decided to settle in Houston. Started a business. Bought a house. You know, grown up living. Also, fell in love with and continued hiking7.
Well, the travel bug has struck again! This time I'm off to Spain for 2 months. No set plans, no idea what to expect. Yet so excited for another adventure.
1Moves in life: San Diego, CA | Monterey, CA | Newport, RI | San Diego, CA | Ft. Leavenworth, KS | Charleston, SC | Mayport, FL | Yokosuka, Japan-off base | Yokosuka, Japan-on base | West Springfield, VA | Sugar Land, TX (age 13) | Galveston, TX | College Station, TX (dorms and 1 off campus apartment) | x3 Cruise Ships | Arlington, TX | Dallas, TX | Plano, TX | The Colony, TX | Carrollton, TX | Honda Truck | Houston, TX
2 Where I Cruised: Multiple cruises from Seattle to Alaska (summer) and then San Diego to Mexico (winter). The sameness was broken up by cruises from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego via the Panama Canal (14 day relocation cruises) and a 30 day cruise from San Diego to Hawaii to the French Polynesian Islands (crossed the equator via ship!).
3 Countries Visited Backpacking Europe: England, Wales, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands
4 Big Trips: Costa Rica, Mexico, San Francisco, New Orleans/Gulf Shores, Myrtle Beach, New York City, Disney World, Las Vegas, Iceland/Norway, Atlantic Coast, The Virginias/Blue Ridge Parkway, Telluride, Santa Barbara, Iowa, Tampa,
5 Monthly Trips: Houston, Galveston, Austin, Dallas, Shreveport, Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, Tuscaloosa, Boise, Lake Caddo, New Braunfels: floating the river, Corpus Christi, All the lakes, Cleaveland, Charleston, Denver,
6 Future National Park Visits:American Samoa | Kobuk Valley | Wrangle-St. Elias | Katmai | Kenai Fjords | Lake Clark | Denali | Gates of the Arctic | Haleakala | Virgin Islands | Indiana Dunes | Wind Cave | Great Basin | Gateway Arch (easier to list the ones I haven't visited!).
7Texas Hiking Trips:Lost Maples, Big Bend, Guadalupe Peak, Lonestar Hiking Trail, Memorial Park / Backtrails, Garner, Kleb Woods, Willow Water Hole, Montgomery County Preserve, McGovern Centennial Gardens, Buffalo Bayou, Brazos Bend, Cypress Park, Sam Houston State Park, SL Memorial Park, Inks Lake, Lockhart, Palmetto.
Upon graduating from college (WH08P!), my wanderer bug found me aboard cruise ships, working as Event Staff.2 Keeping the bug alive, two ship friends and I decided to backpack Europe for 50 days.3 Such a blast!
After ships, I settled in Dallas, to be near friends and within 5 hours of family. Worked as an Assistant Apartment Manager for 3 years then jumped to Parks & Recreation for another 4. I continued to take big 4 and small 5 trips, but alas, that persistent travel bug.
Quit my job and spent the next 10 months exploring the National Parks of the USA6. So many beautiful areas explored.
Decided to settle in Houston. Started a business. Bought a house. You know, grown up living. Also, fell in love with and continued hiking7.
Well, the travel bug has struck again! This time I'm off to Spain for 2 months. No set plans, no idea what to expect. Yet so excited for another adventure.
2 Where I Cruised: Multiple cruises from Seattle to Alaska (summer) and then San Diego to Mexico (winter). The sameness was broken up by cruises from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego via the Panama Canal (14 day relocation cruises) and a 30 day cruise from San Diego to Hawaii to the French Polynesian Islands (crossed the equator via ship!).
3 Countries Visited Backpacking Europe: England, Wales, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands
4 Big Trips: Costa Rica, Mexico, San Francisco, New Orleans/Gulf Shores, Myrtle Beach, New York City, Disney World, Las Vegas, Iceland/Norway, Atlantic Coast, The Virginias/Blue Ridge Parkway, Telluride, Santa Barbara, Iowa, Tampa,
5 Monthly Trips: Houston, Galveston, Austin, Dallas, Shreveport, Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, Tuscaloosa, Boise, Lake Caddo, New Braunfels: floating the river, Corpus Christi, All the lakes, Cleaveland, Charleston, Denver,
6 Future National Park Visits:American Samoa | Kobuk Valley | Wrangle-St. Elias | Katmai | Kenai Fjords | Lake Clark | Denali | Gates of the Arctic | Haleakala | Virgin Islands | Indiana Dunes | Wind Cave | Great Basin | Gateway Arch (easier to list the ones I haven't visited!).
7Texas Hiking Trips:Lost Maples, Big Bend, Guadalupe Peak, Lonestar Hiking Trail, Memorial Park / Backtrails, Garner, Kleb Woods, Willow Water Hole, Montgomery County Preserve, McGovern Centennial Gardens, Buffalo Bayou, Brazos Bend, Cypress Park, Sam Houston State Park, SL Memorial Park, Inks Lake, Lockhart, Palmetto.
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