• SOULPRINTS: It’s Time to Travel!

• VIEWFINDER: Travel Smart with Proven Tips

• WAYPOINTS: Watch for the Unexpected!

I find joy in travel. Travel starts with a big question: Where am I going? I like to have a destination and not just wander aimlessly. We can also expand the question to our life experience. Where am I going in this journey of life?  More importantly, where are you going? We can’t change the fact that our life is moving on from the here and now. I think it’s vital for us to consider what this journey can mean for us. What can be found for our well-being by exploring the worlds outside of us and within us.

Humans have always been on the move it seems. Science tells us our ancient ancestors left Africa 100,000 years ago to colonize the planet. Cave paintings in Europe and Indonesia date back 35,000 years to show people like us were scattered everywhere. The Bible tells us the patriarch Abram left Ur to enter modern Israel around 4000 years ago. My maternal 6^th great grandfather, Walter Allen, left England in 1638 to land on our American shores. “Where are you going?” has been asked by billions across the millennia. There’s something innate in homo sapiens that wants to explore, to learn, and to prosper.

What places have shaped your identity? For me, the move my family made from one Missouri town to another brought me to a school, a church, and a woman that changed me forever.

If we pay attention, though, we can find it’s not necessary to travel across the globe to find life enhancing moments. Christian Process theology teaches that God pervades every entity and every experience, becoming the “light for all people,” according to John’s Gospel. In this theology we discover a window to perceive God in all places and things. As the mystics of all the ages have known, we can find the holy in the face of our neighbor, the petals of a rose, the fathomless power of a galactic black hole, or the caress of a loving hug. The 14^th century prophetess, Julian of Norwich, wrote, "The fullness of joy is to behold God in everything." We can be inspired to greater well-being in the here and now.

Just maybe we can reframe our question, “Where am I going?” to ask instead, “Who is with me on this journey?” God is there, inviting you to embrace a transformative moment.

“Where are you going? It’s a question that turns our minds to the possibilities all around us….

This is an excerpt from the Tracks for the Journey Podcast. There’s more! Listen to the full Audio episode here!

I count it a privilege to have walked the ground of 18 nations and 40 of the 50 states. Many of these trips have been with Jan. We’ve had some fabulous times and some messed up ones! Here are some proven tips to make your next outing go smoothly.

Check out where you’re going. Use our marvelous technology to check the weather so you have the right clothes, understand the particulars of the destination, and even get a visual through Google Maps Street View. Download a translator app if you’re going to a foreign country and learn to use a calculator that converts the currency to dollars (the iphone ones does this) so you don’t blow your budget!

Crosspack your carryon bag. If you’re flying, you must prepare for the possibility your bag may not arrive when you do. It’s a bummer! But the wise traveler has put a couple of days’ worth of clothes and medicines in the carryon. If you’re traveling as a couple or family, everyone needs to be a part of the system. Use an AirTag to be aware of your bag location. Use some comfort aids like a blowup neck pillow or foot hammock for long flights.

Plan at least your first day of arrival in detail. Okay, I know some folks like to travel spontaneously without an agenda. I’m an agenda person, okay honestly, an over-the-top-agenda person. I think anyone needs to plan how to get out of the airport and to your first destination. If driving, then at least to the hotel. From there, you can reset and move on to your dream experience.

Hold realistic expectations. Each trip has a goal, i.e., adventure, relaxing, business, romance, or event attendance. Further, each person on the trip has expectations. Don’t mix up those expectations! If she wants to lie on the beach then he shouldn’t plan touring the nearest widget plant. If the kids want a water park, Mom won’t get very much shopping time. Try to discuss and plan before you leave what can realistically happen to make it a great trip. Set a pace that helps everyone while you are there.

Hold the memories. A trip worth planning is a trip worth remembering! Take lots of pictures and put some in frames or bring back a special souvenir to put on a shelf. In my office I find memories provoked by 125+ spoons from around the world, shells, a boomerang, figurines, art, and even rocks! I can conjure a scene from these to return to that special place, no ticket needed!

Here’s hoping the next adventure is your best!  

In May 2017 Jan and I enjoyed a trip to Scotland and Ireland. Our excitement hit a wall, however, on the day to leave. We awoke to the news that British airways had a massive worldwide cyber shutdown, grounding all planes! Thousands were stranded around the world! We wondered how it would affect us. By noon they announced incoming planes were landing at Heathrow in London but none were leaving. The flight updates said our plane would leave Dallas as planned so we went to the airport a bit unsure of what was ahead. The ticketing and security were a breeze. The plane left on time. We were really finally going to Scotland!

Then the unexpected happened. When we landed at Heathrow, I got a text saying the flight to Dublin was cancelled. In a hurry and facing a chaotic airport, I didn't get a wheelchair for Jan as I usually did, making the long, long walk to a different terminal even worse. We joined thousands of people seeking to rebook flights. I stood in the line for two hours with little progress. Finally, a breakthrough: Jan’s cane and limited mobility took us to a special window! We received immediate service and we were rebooked in no time! The airline gave compensation for a night at a Holiday Inn express plus 2 dinner and 2 bus vouchers! We felt a load lifting as we left the airport.

We took a shuttle to the hotel without our luggage, of course. It was too early to check in, so we shook off the exhaustion from the overnight flight and went to Windsor Castle, determined to make the best of a day in London! Once again, Jan’s cane was like a magic wand, moving us to the front of the ticket line and obtaining a wheelchair.

The tour was wonderful, filling our minds with fascinating history, art, relics, and stories from 1,000 years of history. All the intrigue, victories, oddities, and collections were delightful to see. We didn’t get to see the Queen, but the unexpected interruption brought a marvelous experience that became a highlight of the entire two weeks!

I hope every trip goes as planned, of course. But if it doesn’t, take a deep breath, readjust, and look for what the unexpected interruption might hold!

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The Facebook Trackers Community has a request: Tell us about your travel adventures! The good, the bad, the ugly… you have a story that is good for us all. Let’s have some fun remembering and rejoicing in the amazing world of Travel!

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