Clairea's VirtualTourist Home Page

Since I was a little kid, my mom has always told people that I have jet fuel running through my veins. Give me a ticket to anywhere & I'll go! I love the anticipation of a trip, all of the mind-boggling day-dreaming that I do leading up to it, and the thrill of discovering new places, cultures, faces, and foods. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty to discover in my own backyard. But, I have a severe case of wander-lust.

I frequently go through travel withdrawal, but right now, it's at an all time high. Since I just became a mommy things have been put on hold a bit. My short jaunts up to Maryland will have to suffice for now. But, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that talks of travels in Brazil, caving in West Virginia, and other treks will happen soon.
My last adventure was a day of kayaking, shell collecting, and wildlife watching around Beaufort, NC with a best bud.
The above photo was of another trip to that area. My hubby , some friends, & I kayaked to Carrot Island, directly across from Beaufort, and hiked in a bit. These two wild horses were enjoying the gorgeous weather with us!

HOW COME WE CAN ONLY PICK OUT 5 TRAVEL INTERESTS?????

Of course I only realized that after the screen bounced back with the message & I found myself having to delete about 20 checks.

If there's a place I haven't seen, I want to see it. If I've seen it, chances are I'd go again.

I'm constantly revising my list of travel priorities in my head, but two places are ALWAYS tied for first--Mt. Everest & Mt. Kilimanjaro. I think I'd have a chance at climbing the latter. And, as far as Chomolungma goes, I'd like to go to base camp and marvel at those braves souls that go farther.

My beautiful baby girl, Vivian Elise, was born on June 21. She's already traveled with me to Maryland and Ohio. I hope to be discovering new things and new places with her until the day I die.

My husband, Erik, is definitely the homebody out of the two of us. Nonetheless, he puts up with my addicition to travel and has a good time. His dream is to see New Zealand. Unfortunately, he'll be paying Iraq a visit before we go on that trip.

I have an uncanny talent for either injuring myself or getting oddly ill whenever I travel. It started on my Brownie camping trips when I was 6-years-old and hasn't stopped. Part of it is due to my own klutziness, silliness, and my love of animals (which makes me try to touch them all). Nonetheless, I haven't turned into a homebody yet (the worst ailment of all!)

Here's a list of my not-so graceful episodes:
--I broke my middle finger running onto an elevator after playing a practical joke in Lisbon.
--I got bitten pretty badly by a protective mother dog in Moscow. Yes, I tried to pick up one of her puppies....
--I fell off a beach bar and landed flat on my back in Jamaica. Yes, it involved being highly intoxicated and thinking I could climb.....
--I got horribly ill in Moscow (not my dumbass fault this time), but the doctors had a difficult time explaining what was wrong. At one point they communicated (or the translator did) that I had angina and diptheria. You can imagine my eyes popped out of my head with that. Turns out I had an infection and just needed my adenoids out.
--While wearing a short pair of running shorts, I somehow managed to sit in poison ivy in Mississippi. My bum itched so bad! But worst of all, try explaining to a doc how you got poison ivy on your behind....and, how your husband got it as well!

So, I certainly hope I don't do anymore harm to myself or others on my future travels. But, at least I can look back and laugh!

Other than my Top Ten Wishlist:
--Lhasa, Tibet
--Ranthambore Tiger Preserve, India
--Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya