I’ve always been a traveler, wanderer and sightseer. I’m also very fortunate. When I was growing up my parents would often load the five of us into the family sedan. Living in Northern Wisconsin it was a long ways to just about anywhere. But off we would go to places too wonderful to imagine.
Those travels introduced us to natural wonders, big cities and Mickey Mouse. We saw and visited unusual things like a Corn Palace, Paul Bunyan, gators and dolphins, beaches, mountains and everything in between. Along the way we would we would meet interesting new people and find out about them and their culture. There was also always time to try the different food of the area. Those were and are still memory filled days.
In later years I’ve continued those travels. I can honestly say that I’ve spent quite a bit of time in all 50 states while living in 6 of them. I’ve also visited more than 15 other countries. In a previous career I was a Park Ranger with the National Park Service. While I was in that job I had the opportunity to work either long term or on temporary assignments in more than 15 National Park units. I live in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area with my wife Nancy. Our daughter Kimberly also spends time with us when she’s not in college or flitting about here and there. We also have a small second home on the Outer Banks of North Carolina (NOT ocean front) and spend a lot of time there.
When we took those family trips long ago my Mom and Dad would plan it down to the penny. Often we arrived home after 11:00 p.m. the night before Dad had to go back to work. They would tell me there was maybe less than one dollar left between them. But the opportunities and experiences made it all priceless.
Sightseeing can be as complex as some of our family vacations or a several week trip to an exotic place. It can also be as simple as wandering your own home town. I hope you will join with us as we become Occasional Sightseers together!
