My travels. My memories. My stories.
Hi! My name is Howard, and this is my travel blog.
I love the word 'wanderlust'—a noun that means a strong desire to travel—as it describes me to a T. I seem to always have a trip in some stage of planning, from a short getaway weekend to a multi-week holiday.
I launched my travel blog in December 2019. My first story was about my hike into the Grand Canyon and out again, part of a cross-country trip 'by thumb' from Ohio to California and back in 1972. And now, over the past four years, I’ve added more than 170 first-person stories to share my favorite experiences and memories with family, friends, and you.
I hope my stories transport you to the destinations I've visited and inspire you to travel somewhere you’ve never been.
Enjoy!
I love the word 'wanderlust'—a noun that means a strong desire to travel—as it describes me to a T. I seem to always have a trip in some stage of planning, from a short getaway weekend to a multi-week holiday.
I launched my travel blog in December 2019. My first story was about my hike into the Grand Canyon and out again, part of a cross-country trip 'by thumb' from Ohio to California and back in 1972. And now, over the past four years, I’ve added more than 170 first-person stories to share my favorite experiences and memories with family, friends, and you.
I hope my stories transport you to the destinations I've visited and inspire you to travel somewhere you’ve never been.
Enjoy!
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Oh, The Places I Went In 2023...
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...and The Places I'll Go In 2024
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I had a wonderful year of travel that included every member of my family—Debra (wife), Jill (daughter), and David (son). Without a doubt, I felt blessed to visit new destinations with those I love!
May
Debra and I traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, to visit David and his girlfriend Sarah and do a bit of sightseeing. We had a great time in the Tar Hill State!
June
Jill and I explored Alaska, America’s ‘Last Frontier,’ on a 12-day Cruisetour—by land and by sea—from Fairbanks to Whittier via motorcoach and rail and from Whittier to Vancouver on the Majestic Princess. It was a grand adventure that included two days in the vast and rugged wilderness of Denali National Park and a day of scenic cruising through Glacier Bay National Park.
August
Jill and I spent two wonderful days in Venice ahead of a seven-day 'Greek Enchantment' cruise with Holland America on the Oosterdam. We visited five cities in three countries, Croatia, Turkey, and Greece, before we debarked in Athens. It was a magical trip as we learned about the culture and history of destinations, old and new.
November/December
Jill suggested it first, and quickly we all got on board, literally—a family vacation through the Western Caribbean on the Regal Princess. Debra and I got to spend more time with David and Jill (and their significant others, Sarah and Ryan) than we had in a long, long time, and we made memories that will last us a lifetime!
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One of my favorite travel quotes is, I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list (Susan Sontag). In 2024, I will get to check off many first-time destinations for me, and I AM STOKED!
January
Jill and I spent 10 days in southern Florida and the Bahamas, including two nights at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando and back-to-back three-night cruises with Royal Caribbean on the Allure of the Seas and the Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world. We had a wonderful time!
February
Jill and I went on a 12-night cruise on the Crystal Symphony, from Bangkok to Hong Kong with port stops in Cambodia and Vietnam and spent a couple of days in Bangkok and a couple of days in Hong Kong before and after our cruise. We had a great time on our epic adventure in Southeast Asia!
April
Debra and I flew to Charolotte, North Carolina, to visit David and Sarah and do some sightseeing in the Tar Heel State.
May
Jill and I cruised the Mediterranean on the MSC World Europa and MSC Seaview, with port stops in Spain, France, Italy, and Malta, and spent two days in Barcelona. Our Mediterranean Holiday was great from start to finish!
June
Debra and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary with a three-night stay in Salt Lake City, Utah.
July
Debra and I continued to celebrate our milestone anniversary with a 14-night Alaska cruise on the Crystal Serenity. Stay tuned for a series of blogs on the sights we saw and experiences we had.
August
Jill and I journeyed through Iceland - 2 days in Reykjavik and a 7-day cruise around the island on the Windstar Pride.
October
Debra and I will head back to Charlotte, North Carolina to visit Sarah and David. We hope to spend a few days in Charleston, South Carolina, a city that has been on our bucket list.
Yes, it Must Be Wanderlust!
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