Let's just say that this morning didn't start off like I had planned. I decided to get up at 8:00 a.m., get my shower, get ready and cook breakfast for everyone. My famous bacon, egg and cheese McMuffins. The McMuffins never saw the light of day today but we did have some awesome tomato sandwiches for lunch! Between the two salesmen, one sales manager and my husband, no one thought it necessary to tell me that you have to cut on the hot water heater about 30 minutes prior to taking a shower. Yes, you guessed it, I took an ice [View Full Entry]

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Louisville Kentucky to Graham Cave State Park west of St. Louis, Missouri And on to Lenexa, KS, (PRA), Santa Fe Trail, & Baldwin, City Kansas Mon June 2 to June 6 We keep on plugging west. The morning of packing out from Mammoth Cave I fell ill, kind of fainted, had to lie on a thermarest while Rollie and the boys packed up. Of course it rained while we were taking the tent down. I had begun a medication just before leaving, and got confirmation from our doc in Cville to stop that. Once all packed they headed off to ride [View Full Entry]

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The reality is slowly setting in now. I leave for Cuernevaca, Mexico in 9 days. In 9 days my entire life is going to change. In 9 days nothing is going to be familiar anymore. It's coming at the perfect time though.I'm at a place in my life where reflection and time to think is crucial. Going to Mexico is the perfect chance for me to really think about my life and where I want to go with it. It's my first chance to really be independent, my first time really travelling alone. But with the departure date being so close, [View Full Entry]

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Notes from STL. Spring has taken its sweet time getting here. I have been told this has been a very unusually spring for the STL area. We have had a lot of rain, and up and down temps (30’s one day, 70’s the next). My neighbor had a family member visiting from Seattle, after a week here he said he couldn’t wait to get home to see some sun and warmer weather, that says it all! I think spring will arrived just in time for summer, which isn’t suppose to the most pleasant season in Missouri (HOT and Humid). The upside [View Full Entry]

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Residing in Missouri is pretty basic, so my theory to why I am an obsessive travel planner is that I need some excitement, since the only excitement Missouri offers is whether or not it will snow this year on Easter. And that answer this year was YES, yes it will snow on Easter. My main obsession is Disney World, although Disneyland also satisfies my compulsion. I am a Disney World expert (okay, self proclaimed, but I REALLY AM). My children are all Disney devotees, and my darling husband tolerates it well, partially because he knows we love it and I go [View Full Entry]

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Once we decided on Egypt, there were many questions. Which cities? Nile Cruise? If so, 4 nights or 7 nights? What are the most important things to see? For Sis, her only request was a library. She loves them...so...Alexandria it is. For me, my top three must sees are the Giza Pyramids, Abu Simbel and the temple of Ramses II, and the Valley of the Kings. Oh, and the Cairo Museum. So after much debating and much rearranging, believe me, a LOT of rearranging, this is our plan (oh, and I can finally call it OUR PLAN since I booked my [View Full Entry]

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It always amazes me how much preparation goes into a multi-city, multi-country trip. Come June, I am taking my six-year-old daughter, Emma, to Europe for her first real vacation. We will spend many days in Paris, with a day trip into Belgium for chocolate (her) and beer (me), before heading to Greece, specifically Athens, Crete, and Santorini, then lastly heading north to Thessaloniki to conclude the trip with my dear friend, Natasha. Preparing a three-week excursion with a six-year-old has its kinks. For instance, what am I going to feed my picky little eater besides nutella and banana cr [View Full Entry]

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I haven't left yet...i haven't even really found out when I'm going yet, but I do know this, this summer will be far different from any other. A few weeks ago I applied to a study abroad program in Cuernevaca or Monterrey, Mexico. I love Spanish, I love Latin America, it was an oppurtunity I couldn't pass up. I'll get to improve my Spanish every day for 6 weeks, attending classes, going on excursions, just living my day to day life in a small city of Mexico. I'll live with a host family and a variety of other students, which is [View Full Entry]

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So it's coming down to the wire and I am officially freaking out a little, with excitement and nervousness. I have so much to do before I leave for Chicago on Tuesday. Packing is my biggest priority. But I leave for Europe in Nine days. Ahh! Can't wait. Stay tuned for entries from abroad. [View Full Entry]

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The following is a commentary by the good people of St. Louis, Missouri. This is not a paid advertisement. "There was a man, brave and heroic, and he took a journey through many perils. He came out of the West and forded raging rivers, blazing deserts, visited long-time comrades-in-arms, fought off bandits and loved many, many women. Upon reaching his wintry destination of Saint Louis, he spent several joyous days among friends he considered as family, exploring the countryside and experiencing new adventures. But alas! The days of fun came to an end, and the brave, noble giant of a man [View Full Entry]

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