Travels With Stacey

“Once a year, travel to someplace you have never been.”

Why?

Why only once a year?

Why not once a month?

How about once a week?

Why not once a week?

When people think of travel, the first thought for most is an airplane ticket, passport and a far away, expensive destination.  I had this thought too.

Until I discovered my own backyard.

I made a Florida trip when I was 13. Near home, we did a few big ticket items like the zoo and museums. Even in school, field trips were few, and this led me to believe that travel destinations are rare and can be expensive.

I was wrong.

Within my own backyard is a trail that leads to Island Lake Conservation Area, and I must have walked it a thousand times now.  It is beautiful in every season.  I learned of another hiking/walking path a little further up the road and started branching out even more.  

Then a big event was about to happen in my life: surgery!  And a big, scary one at that.  I started a bucket list to create as many memories for my wife for that just-in-case moment.

First, I learned about waterfalls. Then I explored the map to get from one place to another. I discovered that there were plenty of things in between. Soon we visited museums, waterfalls, art installations, galleries, heritage homes, forts, unique geology, exciting scenery, and so much more! I discovered that there is so much to do for free.  

Every day before my big surgery, I would pick up my wife from work, take her somewhere new and plan for the next afternoon, evening, day, weekend or week trip.  

None of this was too far.

None of it required a plane ticket.

All of it was driving distance with so much to look at between each destination.

So that phrase that says go somewhere new once a year is not good, and there is no reason why someone cannot go somewhere new once a month, once a week or even once a day.

You will be surprised what is near your home. All you need to do is travel.

I have been working on a free map that works well with Google that features the locations I have visited and featured on this website and social media.  Check it out here and see what is near your home.  You may be surprised!