Don't be a tourist, become an adventurer

With the year coming to a quick close, thoughts of where to head next year pop into mind.

Of course, the Smoky Mountains are a given. We just love the area and the experience.

The West Coast, which usually means San Francisco, is a possibility since we haven't been there in a couple of years.

We have gotten away from a stated goal of seeing at least one new country each year.

We could take a cruise out of New Orleans and add Honduras.

But then again, we haven't been to Europe in a long time and Linda, my wife, wants to add London since we've already been to Paris and Rome.

I would like to take a northern Europe cruise which could put us into another six or seven countries. I especially want to visit Russia and once upon a time I wanted to take the long journey on the Trans-Siberian railway. Poland is another possibility since it is homeland to my deceased father's side of the family. 

There is just so much out there.

But one thing I can't seem to wrap my travel mind around is a journey to South America.

I just don't know what it is.

I always thought about visiting Rio, seeing the ruins at Machu Picchu in Peru, and sailing to the Galapagos Islands.

Someday that may happen, but meantime next year we'll just keep on heading down the road, not as tourists, but travelers of the world.

Merry Christmas and happy travels during the new year.

Next post: Not until January 4, 2011