Not All Who Wander Are Lost

This year for our anniversary, Chris got me the most AMAZING present. A MAP! I know, this seems a little strange but its exactly what I wanted! Its actually a GIANT vinyl map that you can mark off the places you've traveled....

I ordered the map in dark brown with beige travel markers. I seriously CANNOT wait to put it up in our office! Ever since I've order it I've been thinking about all of the places that I've been so lucky to have seen & all of the places that I cant wait to go.

The first "big" trip I went on was a school-sponsored trip the summer between 7th and 8th grade. 5 adults took 115 preteens on a two week trip up the East Coast. ((I wish they had taken us a little later, like in high school, but I totally understand why they wanted to take middle-schoolers instead. We would have gotten into WAY too much trouble in high school)).
We started our trip in Atlanta where we saw a Braves game and spent the day at Six Flags. From there we went to Duke University, Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens and finally, New York City! We spent 3 days in New York cite seeing & shopping. After NYC we crossed the US/Canada border & went to Niagra Falls. - I have some amazing pictures of this trip, but 1) they are not on my computer & 2) I wouldnt be caught dead with pictures of me from middle school online. Such an awkward time... After Niagra Falls we made our way back home, stopping in ANOTHER theme park in Ohio. It was an intense 2 weeks spent on a hotel & in theme parks, but it was a great experience. Im so glad I had the opportunity to go.

The next trip I went on was OHMYGODINCREDIBLE. The ONLY regret I have about this next little venture is that I went so early in life. I would love to take that trip now-ish. It would be ideal... But the summer between 9th & 10th ((or 8th and 9th??)) grade I went on a 15 day trip to Italy! There are only a few pictures I have online, but I have some BEAUTIFUL photos at home if you ever want to see them.

I also went on this trip with a group of people from UMS. We started our trip in Venice...

Venice was INCREDIBLE. Probably my second favorite city I've ever been in. Then we went to Florence...

Florence was pretty cool. We did a LOT of walking, saw a TON of museums & went to a strange little club where I had absinthe for the first (and only) time.  I also ate a LOT of gelato... like every single day...

We made our way to see the leaning tower of Pisa...

Then we went to Capri- the MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE ON EARTH. You could take a ski-lift up to the top of a mountain and look down and see this...

We also got to take a tiny little row boat around the Blue Grotto...

Lastly, we went to Rome. I could write an entire book on my last day in Rome ((Rome was incredible- the Vatican was beautiful & the architecture there is UN-REAL). Theres actually a pretty funny story about me drinking too much, cutting myself shaving, calling home from across the world (running up a $70 phone bill for a 4 minute conversation), etc.  But ill save that for another day.

The next summer, Vicky and her family took me to Bermuda with them! We stayed a a BEAUTIFUL resort on Elbow Beach- & yes, the sand was pink(ish).

For six days Vicky and I did this exact thing: Sleep in, Order Room Service, Read on the Beach, Lunch, Shower, Nap, Walk around, Dinner, Party Party Party, Sleep. Repeat. Luckily the food & the beaches were perfect.

The summer after high school graduation I went on another trip with Vicky and her family to Mexico!

 Oddly enough, our daily activities were incredibly similar to the ones in Bermuda- except with more alcohol.

Later that year, Chris took me on an amazing trip to Atlanta!

Then in 2010 Chris & I went back to Mexico on a cruise!

We had a blasty blast.

& Last year we made a trip or two to New Orleans...

I consider myself very lucky to have been where I have been. But I cant wait to travel more, learn about different cultures, and share my experiences with Chris. Plus, Im going to be over joyed to add a little dot to that damn map...