Traveling Training Wheels

I have always wanted to see the world. I spent my senior year living in Mexico as an exchange student. I was disappointed that it was not Italy as was first planned, because getting to Europe was my dream. However learning to love the Mexican people and becoming a functional Spanish speaker has benefited me both personally and professionally my entire life. I would love to return to Mexico, and explore other Central and South American countries, and finally get to Europe. If I was healthy and money was no option, I would have a passport booklet full of stamps.

 I was such a young adult when I had my first baby. My ability to be a young wanderer was happily set aside for motherhood, which I loved. Having 3 children was an adventure all its own, but it comes with some sacrifices. Financially, travel ends up on the “someday” list, and taking 5 people somewhere is pricey. We did things like camp at Mesa Verde, attend family reunions in Kansas or visit family in West Yellowstone, getting to explore the park.

 In more recent years we have had opportunities to travel with our youngest, or just my husband and I, which served as a foundation for me to figure out how to travel successfully while managing my chronic pain and fatigue.

  2009 San Diego, CA. 3 days. Loved the climate, pain was more moderate. While Dan and Josh went to LegoLand, I rode a Hop-on Hop-off tour bus around town, and realized that bus tours are fantastic for me. Was pooped when we got home, but not in a flair.

Imagine napping with this as your view.

  2012 San Diego CA. 4 days for a wedding. I had less down time to rest than I really needed. Worst lesson was spending last day without a place for me to land and rest. We checked out of hotel, went to a family brunch, toured the USS Midway, which is walking, and then went to lunch, and then to the airport. I honestly spent most of that flight in tears. Dan quietly asked a flight attendant to arrange a wheelchair at the gate, and we were the last ones off. I sobbed my way up the aisle.

This carpet is the first sign you make it to Portland.

Newport, OR

 
Corvallis, OR, and Oregon Coast 2014. We were visiting while considering a relocation, so it was a combination of job interview, exploration of the area, and a side trip to the coast because it was so close. I found this climate to feel great in my body as well. I was able to rest a bit more on this trip, go at my own pace. I do remember the last day of the trip being difficult because again, I had no place to land to rest and we were flying out in the evening. We did end up using Google to find a coffee shop with couches for us to spend a couple of hours at before we got on the plane, but my pain did get quite amped up, and the airplane ride home was really difficult.(I believe we also had seats that did not recline those few inches, meaning the seat is all wrong for me) This trip I also discovered how awesome a chair massage in the airport is before getting on the plane.

Public art, in Portland

 

  Portland, OR 2015- This trip was for a writing conference my husband was attending, and a chance to explore a city we had just gotten a taste of. We decided not to rent a car, and instead use the plentiful public transportation available in Portland. What I did not really think about ahead of time was how much walking you have to do in order to use public transportation. Especially challenging was trying not to overdo it so I had enough steam to get myself home. I had to plan walking to a bus stop, waiting, riding(never a quick ride), and then walking more. I did give myself a “lay around and read” day in the middle, which was very valuable in the long run. It helped me feel good enough to borrow a bike and ride it around Portland for a little while, which may be my favorite memory. This was our first AirBnB experience, and while the particular place we chose was a bit more “2 buddies who need a place to crash” and less “2 adults getting away without kids”, we loved the experience of it. It made me realize that because I need more than just a spot to crash, I need to be good about choosing a place to stay that meets all of my needs and isn’t only cheap.

Rockaway Beach Reflections

My crew and support team

 

  Portland and Rockaway Beach, OR. Clearly we have a strong love of Oregon! This trip was special, because we took all 3 of our kids (2 of whom are out of the house) and made some great memories, had first experiences, and introduced them to the area we hope to move to eventually. We rented a car because with 5 people it was easier. We spent 2 nights in Portland, in a fantastic basement apartment we found on AirBnB. Then we drove to the coast for 2 more wonderful nights in an home right on the beach. (AirBnB) On that travel day we chose our route in order to go by a lighthouse. It ended up being about .5 mile walk from parking, all downhill. I kept thinking I should turn around, but no, I ignored my instincts. The walk back up was quite difficult. However even worse was the terrible pain my calves were in the following day. I have never experienced that sort of debilitating spasm,and I could barely walk. Our “home” had steep stairs, and to get down to the beach were even steeper stairs. I missed out on any time scavenging after the tide went out because I couldn’t get down to the beach. That made me recognize that I really have to make a priority list for myself when I travel. If I had thought ahead I would have absolutely saved spoons for the beach!

That sums up my "training wheel" adventures. Next up will be my awesome November dream trip to NYC! I rocked that city.