Favorite Travel Memories
Long before we became nomads we started traveling. Traveling introduced us, and our kids, to a world beyond the bubble that was our life in Kansas City. We started with travel in the US and Mexico, but with the opportunity to travel abroad through my work we quickly expanded our boundaries. We recently reminisced on our favorite travel experiences over the past 32 years.
The Beginning: The Copper Bowl - Tucson Arizona 1993
Our first experience traveling together was way back in 1993. We’d been dating for two months when we left on a 17 hour drive to Tucson, Arizona. It was Kansas State’s first bowl game in 11 years. We found K-Staters at every stop during that drive. We stayed at the Air Force base where Eric had to sneak me in because I wasn’t allowed. I was 19, Eric was 21, and my parents didn’t know we drove my car. We accidentally crossed the border into Nogales, Mexico in that car. Epic memories.
The Swine Flu in Riveria Maya - 2009
We went to Mexico with my mom and dad in June 2009. The swine flu was hot and heavy and as a result our massive resort was at around 25% occupancy. We had the pool to ourselves many days and had top notch service. Our favorite memories here were how relaxed my mom and dad were. Mom even did a tequila shot while we chilled at this swing bar! This was their first all-inclusive experience and they loved it.
Our First Trip to New York - 2009
Shortly after our week in Cancun we had the opportunity to go to New York for Eric’s job. This started our love affair with big cities. It was cloudy and rainy through most of our time there. Our favorite memory was when we were eating outside at a small Italian restaurant on the Upper West Side. When the rain started really coming down, we had to move under the awning. We struck up a conversation with another couple who asked where we lived in Manhattan. These two Kansas kids were so excited that someone thought we were New Yorkers!!
A Tsunami in Hawaii - 2011
We got serious about travel after buying a timeshare through Hilton. Yep, we bought a timeshare, and are still trying to get rid of it today. But before the days of Airbnb, it was the perfect way to travel as a family because we could stay in condos and cook some meals. One of our first big trips in a Hilton timeshare was to the Big Island of Hawaii in 2011. Just Eric and I went and we loved every minute of it. Right up until the day before we were supposed to leave and the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami struck Japan and the sirens went off in Kona. We’d seen the sirens around the island during the week and laughed. We knew tornado sirens. But tsunami sirens? What were those? Our resort was about a mile from the coast so we were outside of the mandatory evacation zone. But we stayed awake all night watching the live cameras from Oahu and Kona waiting for the time that the waves were supposed to hit the island. We filled up our bathtub with water (?) and nervously waited. In the end, there was very little damage to the Big Island, just a bit of flooding and a few downed palm trees. However it was enough to cancel our flights the next day. We were lucky to find another hotel and enjoy one more day in paradise.
The Funky Monkey in 30a Florida - 2011
Experiencing travel with family holds some of the best memories for us. In 2011 we had 4 generations together in Seacrest Beach Florida. The house we rented, The Funky Monkey, was a perfect spot for sun, sand, and good vibes with my sisters family, my parents, and my grandma. My dad got incredibly sunburned on this trip, and the kids got a little gangster with Great Grandma!
Borough Market London - 2012
We love a market. I had been to London for work previously, but Eric joined me there in February 2012. We had a fabulous time exploring the city, but we distinctly remember going to Burough Market together for the first time. The sights, the sounds, the smells. Incredible. Its still one of our favorite places in London and finding local markets is now something we do in every place we visit.
Hawaii with Family - Kona 2016
Our third, and favorite trip to the Big Island of Hawaii included Eric’s parents. This was a fantastic trip. One of our very favorite beach days ever was at Hapuna Beach. Aaron and Papa climbed Mauna Kea volcano. We watched the NCAA tournament at our condo bar. And we spent time at our favorite place on the island, Kona Brewery. We loved it so much we even named our dog after it!
Walking Among the Giants - Northern Ireland 2018
I think one of the most incredible displays of the mystery of nature is Giant’s Causeway. Eric and I took an “empty nester'“ driving vacation in September after Andrew started at K-State. Our favorite part of that trip was experiencing Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. I don’t understand the geology but nature is a miraculous thing!
Stunning Mosaics at the Alhambra - 2018
Work took me to Scotland in 2018 and we decided to have Eric tag along. After the work part, the play part began and we went to southern Spain. After time in Madrid and Seville we headed to Granada and the Alhambra. The Moorish architecture and mosaics are stunning. It was a lovely 70 degrees in February and after a day of exploring the castle and grounds we sat at a sidewalk cafe enjoying Albarino wine and tapas while listening to street musicians. This was one of our favorite days of travel ever.
Everyone Loves a Parade - London 2022
We’d been living in London for around two months when Amy and Chad came to visit. We’d traveled there together before, but this time it was fun to focus on the non touristy things London has to offer. One of those was the Lord Mayor’s Parade through the streets of the City of London, followed by a pint at the Blackfriars pub. A beautiful autumn day with people we love to spend time with!
Pont du Gard - France 2023
We love history. And we loved the access to history we had while living in London. So we set off to explore southern France in February 2023. A key stop on our itinerary was the Pont du Gard, the 1st century Roman aqueduct in the Occitanie region of France. Being near something so ancient, with such awesome size and scale makes you appreciate how big history is, and how small our own moments are in the grand scheme of world.
A Pink Elephant and an Ambassador! - Ghent 2023
A great part of living in London was our proximity to our friends who lived in Germany at the same time. We met up in Ghent, Belgium in March 2023 to enjoy some Belgian beer together. A highlight of that trip was our private tour of Brouwerji Huyghe, the maker of Delirium beer. We were able to see the entire brewing and bottling process. After the tour they just kept pouring us beer. And more beer. We got a picture with the Brewmaster. And on the way out (we were slightly tipsy by that point!) we met the Canadian Ambassador to Belgium and the Ghent mayor! Definitely a day to remember!
Where’s George? - Lake Como 2023
Sometimes with work travel you go to unglamorous places. And sometimes you go to Milan. Eric tagged along to my work trip to Milan and we took a day trip to Lake Como. This was one of those perfect days. Perfect weather, perfect wine, perfect company, and an absolutley stunning setting. The only bummer? We never saw George Clooney.
Finding Their Roots - Bornholm Denmark 2023
Eric’s family ancestory is Danish, so when his parents were visitng us in London we took a side trip to Denmark for a weekend. Eric and his dad made the journey to the island of Bornholm, where his great grandfather emigrated from. This was a special trip for Eric and his dad, and they found many gravestones with the family name.
On a recent tour we were discussing the difference of being a tourist and a traveler. Tourists are there to check off a list, snap some pics, and move on. We view ourselves as travelers. We’re there to learn, explore and have experiences that move us and stay with us. We can’t wait to see what will be added to this list next.