“I was born with one foot in the road,” is one way a 70 year old guy we recently met described himself.

Call us Gypsies, Vagabonds, Perpetual Travelers, whatever you like, but we are always interested in travel and finding new places to explore. No, we are not looking to stay at that walled-in, guard protected 5 star resort, at least not for long. We want to meet the locals, eat, drink and shop where they do, go where they go, and learn about them and their culture first hand, not on a guided tour.

I'm Ready!

You see, we are independent travelers. No two week vacation can work for us. If the weather is good and the company is interesting, we stay. It could be for days, weeks or months, otherwise, we hit the road again. This bohemian lifestyle suits us just fine, and there is little we would change in the thirty years of practicing our avocation.

This constantly growing network of friends and new acquaintances is booming with knowledge from accomplished people who no longer “fit the mold” of society. Trains, planes, buses, canoes, sailboats, house-boats, RV’s, -- it doesn’t matter, we all have the wanderlust mentality that bonds us.

We have met folks well into their 80’s continuing their journeys, still with a vigor for life, as well as college age kids hoping to “get it out of their system” before settling down to a “normal life.” These people have some stories to share! Something tells me we will see them again in the not-so-distant future.

Our case differs little from that of others. We worked hard, saved, invested, and finally had enough to allow us the freedom and self-sufficiency to enjoy this nomadic lifestyle. I think this desire to travel started with my distant relative in Cincinnati, Ohio, who left with his horse and buggy to get milk one morning, and never returned. The horse and buggy were found, but Jacob was long gone. Some say he went to Texas, others have their own version, but his blood must be in my veins. Or perhaps it comes from my great aunt who sat by the door with her hat on ready for whomever was going somewhere.

Somewhere is a good place to go…right?