"Oh....a 'picture' is worth a thousand 'words'.oops" smyturn's Profile

Okay folks. For those of you have read this homepage before: yes, I am travelling. No, I have not yet made it out of Europe in the 3 years I've been travelling. Yes, I have abso-flipping-lutely loved almost every moment. I am cameraless at the moment and computer time deprived but if I ever make it home again I promise to update everything. Sky diving in the Pyrenees (sadly, just watching not jumping), grape picking in Spain, the Camino de Santiago (highly recommended - checkout Into Thin Air's pages- and sailing off of Portugal have kept me quite busy and quite happy. Not a bad way to deal with the mid life crisis issue.
My limited travels include driving all over much of the US, and some of Mexico. I've been to Costa Rica 3 times and it has a special place in my heart. Also border hopped into Nicaragua and Panama. Scuba diving off of Ambergris Caye in Belize was fantastic. Most of these trips included my children. I figured get the kids to travel before they *ack* grow up and don't want to travel with me anymore. My youngest, Bob, just informed me that he will never tire of 'travels with mom'. Is he making fun of me???
I can now add: England , France (landed in Pau, said which way is Spain and started walking), the Pyrenees (because the GR10 deserves its own byline), Spain (the afore-mentioned Camino de Santiago), Portugal, Holland and back to England! I saw an American movie a while ago and at a dinner party a guest said they were vacationing in Portugal and the host said 'Why? Were the hotels closed in Spain?' Great line but an injustice to this beautiful country.
Anyhoo, I promise more detail in the distant future. Pictures too. Again those who know me realize I am also photographically challenged. I wish everyone good hearts, good travels and the intellect to take advantage of both. Be well fellow travellors and if I can do it anyone can.

Bob and I in Belize

Be forewarned any high end travelers - any tips on my pages (and there will be more pictures and tips, really) will be low budget. I've camped and backpacked all my life and tend to be a minimalist at heart. Of course I am also forgetful and have had to sort of adapt to a minimalist lifestyle.
Its helpful when you're in the middle of nowhere and realize you forgot your tent and have your 8 year old son's sleeping bag! Sleeping under the great open sky with wildlife all about is what hiking is all about. I like to see a lot and carry little. I have at this time walked thorugh France, Spain and Portugal for almost 2 years before settling on a canal boat in England (for now). Living with my life on my back has been beautiful and surprisingly easy. Now on a canal boat, 54 feet by oh 6 feet, I have not really expanded on my physical comforts. No, I have a place that I love and share with a man who actually built it up from a metal shell. Life is good and the backpack is temporarily stored. I must post pics of life on the Grand Union Canal before we move on.

Mike and Crew - Go Team!!

My children are my life. I have two beautiful sons, 22 and 24, who bring me nothing but pleasure and the occasional gray hair. They've graduated university-Yeah!!!! and it inspired 'smyturn'. See how clever I can be at 4am with little or no sleep. About 3 years ago I decided I wanted to travel around the world. Well after a couple of false starts, June 15th of 2005 I left NYC. I have been travelling ever since and have yet to return home except for not frequent enough visits. I've walked over 4000 kilometers. I've been sailing around and generally misbehaving. I've flown, taken trains, buses and cars and am somehow back in England. I met Ben in Portugal He convinced me that England was not really cool and rainy (liar). When my visa was due to expire we already knew we were meant to be together he proposed with the romantic words 'bloody hell we'll have to get married!' How could I say no? We have been together for 2 years and it has been bliss, laughter, tears and love.

Went to my first VT meeting. It was fantastic to meet all these experienced travellers. Great stories and even better photos were passed around. A lot of the folks are also veteran thorntree members from Lonely Planet. Wonderful, eclectic group of individuals and quite an opportunity for me to pick brains as I prepared for my trip. Would happily attend any gathering of VTers in the offing. Can't sing enough praises for this site. Cheers!

Thanks VT for providing such a great opportunity for travelers to research, vent frustrations, refresh memories and just enjoy.
Happy travels to the kind people who sent a good word my way or any acknowledgement really. There are so many well travelled and interesting members. I'm glad they shared their travel stories and photos. Hope I can reciprocate soon. Best wishes to all, Kathy

Me right Ben above Best restaurant NYC Zen Palate

Don't know. I think I have convinced Ben to move to the states. We both have itchy feet and the sea and sun will do us well. We are looking for a sailboat in the Keys. Love the rocking of the boat and the winds that whip across the Atlantic. Drop anchor, live and let live. Is life any better than that? Still need to go to Africa. It's just across the way, while we are here...and now I have a need to see Turkey and the Greek Isles. Crap! Too much to do and see and ain't it loverly? Never a dull moment. Who are these people who say if they won the lottery they would still work? Do they have No imagination????? Well, wishes aside, I am loving my travels and wish you all are as well. Drop me an email if in England and we'll share a pint at the local pub, talk about dreams and future travels. Cheers!