Hi everyone!!
No, I haven't forgotten about my readers, or about my Twitter and Facebook pages, and most of all not my blog! I haven't officially gone on any new adventures yet, but I felt I owed it to everyone to at least let you know what the hold up is.
Like I said in a previous post, I moved from the DC area -and my career- to return to my hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to help my grandmother out. I've been here exactly one month, working part time, looking for a full time job, and bonding with my granny. I've learned I apparently get my adventurous side and passion for travel from my grandmother (who by the way, will be 90 in August, and still goes on short trips once or twice a year!) She's told me how whenever her husband (my grandfather who died about 50 years ago) would get too "fussy" she would pack up, go to Greyhound and get on the next bus leaving- for however long she felt like it. She's told me how she had a small group of friends that would travel together, and one of the quartet of women was afraid of escalators (remember, she's old enough to remember when that was a "new" thing so I can imagine her friend not trusting it lol). Folks often told her to just leave this friend behind, but she always managed to coax her either to finally get on or would walk with her to the nearest stairs. But her favorite travel stories are the ones with her best friend Russ (who passed away a few years ago). They went all over the country (and Canada and Mexico) together, and when I explained what a blog was, and that I had one about visiting all 50 states, she was excited, and suggested places for me to try.
I've been getting a TON of brochures, pamphlets, and other information from all over the country (most notably Texas and Ohio by volume...) with things to do in their neck of the woods. It is slightly overwhelming, but there is a lot of good information within them. I just cringe a little when I think of all the trees that have died in this process! Never fear though, I've gotten a boatload of emails from river boat cruise companies and from Texas and Mississippi tourism bureaus about trips I could take. I'm most excited about the possibility of going on a Mississippi River riverboat cruise and live like I'm in the era of Mark Twain or something. I've also gotten a ton of tweets from Ohio and Washington state. As well as a ton of companies and people all over the country with ideas, suggestions, and support! I've been taking notes on all of this, and plotting out the remainder of 2012 (assuming I get a job to financially support these travels...that's key!! I'm the queen of saving money on travel, but you need a steady source of income in order to)
Other than that, I'm still here, getting restless because I'm ready to goooooooo! But I did want to check in and keep you up to date. What travel adventures have you been on? Oh, and one last thing, President Obama has a plan to increase US tourism. I think I mentioned it before, but in case you missed it here's the link (click the word "link"). I hope in my own small way I can help support that initiative!
See you soon everyone!
