EPIC JOURNEYS

Writing is my number one passion.

Traveling ranks a close second.  One of the advantages of being a writer is that you can work anywhere. All you need is a laptop. An internet connection is nice for cloud access, but not always necessary.

Travel can take many forms, and they all provide an abundance of experiences that can inform, educate, enrich, inspire, excite and renew. And these experiences are enhanced when you can share them with a great travel partner, such as my wife Nancy.

The various journeys we take can be very different from one another. Some are meticulously planned; others are more spontaneous.  Each one is memorable and life-changing in its own way.

Last summer, for example, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to spend a month in France during the 2024 Olympics, going to eleven events in addition to other sightseeing. Men and women’s football (soccer), rugby, men’s basketball, archery, road cycling, and men and women’s volleyball were some of the thrilling competitions we attended.

We were able to combine our interest in attending sporting events with our fascination for iconic cathedrals.  We took in the awe-inspiring architectural beauty of Sacre Coeur de Montmartre in Paris, Eglise Saint-Maurice in Lille, Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourviere in Lyon, as well as the Duomo di Milano (during a quick one-day side trip into Italy).

Our love of history was fulfilled with a visit to Normandy and Omaha Beach. This devastatingly emotional experience was our last stop before returning to the United States.

We also love sightseeing in America. Last Spring and Fall we visited a dozen National Parks and Monuments, including Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, Mount Rushmore, Arches in Utah, and Mesa Verde in Colorado. In two weeks, we will be embarking on a similar adventure to Colorado and Utah to take in the wonders of Rocky Mountain National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. There is so much to see than we will ever have time for. But we love trying.

Occasionally we enjoy cruises, obviously a completely different kind of experience, filled with leisure and relaxation rather than hustle and bustle. Always a nice change of pace.

You’re probably wondering, “When do you have time to write?” I do write while we travel, but believe it or not, these journeys occupy less than two months’ time each year, leaving a full ten months of the year to devote to our other responsibilities. That seems to be enough time to spend on my number one passion.