MY VAGABOND SOUL

 

          The life of a traveling gypsy is an interesting way to live. The places I get to see and the people I get to meet along the way, makes up my life in a nutshell. I've driven to Wisconsin in the winter time, been to the desert of New Mexico, stood still with the cows in West Texas. I've vacationed on the Big Island to see Kilauea volcano; one of the most active volcanoes on earth, drove to the top of Mauna Kea to see the observatories located there. And despite warnings from family and friends, took off to Istanbul, Turkey for a week with my son to experience the Turkish culture. I love this life I lead, even though it can be lonely at times. But the adventures make it all worth it in the end. Here's a look at this Gypsy's life this last two years and how I'm living the dream.

     Here's me on my first assignment in Dallas, Texas enjoying the great Texas State Fair. With tons of eateries and a huge hike and bike trail system located right downtown, you really can't go wrong with an assignment here. Next time I take an assignment here though, I will not be staying in an Extended Stay. I learned real quick that after working 12 long hours, you really want to come home to a nice place to relax, and a smoky smelly apartment is not a 13 week pleasant experience.

 

     While on assignment in Dallas, I was able to take off to San Antonio to see the Riverwalk Christmas lights and do the Mission Trails. Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo is a historic Catholic Church built in 1768. Here I am standing infront of the old church as it is being worked on at that time.

  This is as close to a bear that I will get without being eaten alive. This bear sanctuary is located right in town of Wausau, Wisconsin. A bunch of us from work took a trip to go see the bears and the man that raised them right in his own backyard. This local Wisconsinite built a large gated enclosure right in back of his home in Wausau to house two cubs that were found homeless. We got to see first hand how gentle these bears really are and what it takes to raise them.

       While on assignment in Wausau, I met another traveler from Alabama named Carrie.....AKA "Alabama Toe Jam"! She only had two more weeks to stay before heading back home. I was shocked to find out she had not been out to explore anything in the last 11 weeks that she had been there in Wisconsin. Being the little adventurer that I am, I made reservations for us to stay in an old historical hotel in Milwaukee for the weekend. We soon found out the old hotel was actually the place Jeffery Dahmer had killed his first victim. Talk about a sleepless night in Milwaukee!

 

   

    Seeing Milwaukee is like the beer drinking city of the world, well besides Munich, Germany, we made a reservation to tour the Lakefront Brewery company. What a blast we had drinking different kinds of beers and even got to sing the Laverne & Shirley song at the end of the tour. Here's a video of our trip to Milwaukee and the adventure we had in this fun city.

 

  

      

     I think Georgia O'Keeffe would be proud of me! Nothing like painting in the beautiful mountains of New Mexico a replica of Georgia's "Horse’s Skull with White Rose". She feel in love with New Mexico the first time she visited here in 1929. She soon found herself coming to Santa Fe and Taos every summer for the next 12 years to paint the beautiful desert lands. In 1940 she finally decided to permanently move to be closer to her new found love......New Mexico. They don't call it the Land Of Enchantment for nothing guys.

 

  

     I must say I'll try anything once, especially if it involves a coupon. So when I saw a coupon to skydive White Sands in New Mexico, I jump on that deal and signed myself up. Falling out of the sky 10,000 feet just seemed like fun at the time. My guided tour buddy.....a local Texas boy....small world! Of course he's giving me the thumbs up to sign my life away.

 

             White Sands Skydive

 

 

       Yes, Saint Louis was my pit stop from Wausau back home to Texas. After driving 10 long hours, I had booked a room with an amazing view of the Gateway Arch from my window. Right before the sunset that night I was able to get some great photos of the Arch. Saint Louis seemed like a great place to do a future travel assignment.

 

      Can I just sing "I love Chicago"? This city captured this Texas girls heart and I was ready to pack up and move. With Millennium Mile, Lane Beach Park, Art Institute of Chicago, and The Navy Pier, one would never be bored here. I drove five hours twice while in Wisconsin to stay the weekend in the city. Once was to make it to Saint Patty's Day and see the river get turned green. Something I'll never forget. I will forever be in love with this amazing town.

 

  

     When your in Chicago, you must get your picture taken with the Monumental statue of Marilyn Monroe. I was of course by myself at the time, so without hesitation I pulled a stranger from the crowd to take a photo of me standing right under her. Don't be shy, some moments call for that!

 

      I ask you this question "Are you living your dream?". I'd like to think I am. I have been very lucky over the past two years to see so much and experience some amazing things. My life has been one big roller coaster ride and I love it. I just can't see myself doing anything different. I hope I inspire others to live life to the fullest without regrets. I want to grow old knowing I did everything I ever wanted to do and that I lived a wonderful life.