"Have Passport - MUST Travel!" TravellerMel's Profile

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April 2, 2011

A new chapter begins...

On April 2, 2011, I married my best friend and the love of my life! He planned a perfect honeymoon for us in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - a lovely cabin on a mountain in Pigeon Forge, hiking, waterfalls, - even a zipline trip (see?? He's trying to kill me already!! LOL!)We are looking forward to a lifetime of travel and adventure - together!

The Genesis of an Obsession...

Travel is my passion - and I've been fortunate enough to do quite a little bit. It started when I was 16 and went to Canada for 3 weeks. My best friend, her grandmother, and myself - on a road trip from Southern California to British Columbia. It was glorious. The next year they let me come along for 3 months in France... That was it for me - I've been hooked on travel from that point on! Since that time, oh-so-many years ago, I've been skydiving in Kentucky, snorkling with stingrays in Grand Cayman, white water rafting in Colorado and Tennessee, kayaking with orcas in British Columbia, cruising the Caribbean, touring Europe and the Middle East... I'm always planning my next trip! Easy to do, with my family and friends spread all over - my folks in Las Vegas, my sister and brother in New York, friends in Louisiana Tennessee, California, North Carolina, Mississippi, Arkansas, Florida, Alabama, Texas...

And, I'm getting married in April 2011, so I will have a permanent travel partner! I'm very excited about the many new adventures my life is taking me on, and I look forward to many happy years with my Shmoopy! Thanks for letting me share!

Cozumel, Mexico

Oooh wee! Oooh wee Baby! Oooh wee!
"... woncha let me take you on a sea cruise?"

Of course! When do we go?? I love to cruise - gourmet meals, Broadway style shows, and someone to clean up after me every night - what's not to love?? Looking ahead to a Western Caribbean cruise in 2010 - who wants to come with me? :-)

November 2011 Carnival Conquest Key West, Freeport (Bahamas), Nassau (Bahamas)
January 2010 Carnival Triumph Belize, Honduras, Mexico
Sept 30-Oct 7, 2007 Carnival Conquest Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Mexico
January 2005 Carnival Sensation Mexico
April 2002 Dawn Princess San Juan, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, St. Thomas
April 2001 Commodore Enchanted Isle Mexico, Grand Cayman, Jamaica
January 2001 Commodore Enchanted Capri Cruise to Nowhere
August 2000 Commodore Enchanted Capri Cruise to Nowhere

All About ME!!

Mardi Gras World, New Orleans

Favorite Movies: Casablanca, Like Water for Chocolate, The Wedding Singer
Favorite Singers: Barry Manilow, Rodney Crowell
Favorite Band: COWBOY MOUTH!!
Favorite Books: Jane Eyre, Harry Potter, The Outsiders
Favorite Song: Imagine by John Lennon
Favorite Actors: Liam Neeson, Drew Barrymore
Favorite TV: Project Runway, Glee, Drop Dead Diva, American Pickers
My Feline Babies: Mickey, Sera, and Gizmo
My Canine Baby: Brisco
Favorite Vacation: The one I just took, and the one I am currently planning...
Dream Trips: Egypt (planned for 2012); Costa Rica; Greece; Australia; Niagara Falls; Thailand; Romania

Upcoming Trips

Where shall we go today??

2012
Hockey Weekend in New York City
Spring Break in Key West with friends
Great Smoky Mountains
Birmingham, AL for Cowboy Mouth Concert
Romania

2011
Key West (Boyd's friends' wedding)
Honeymoon in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Philadelphia & Valley Forge, PA
Natchez Trace drive to Jackson, MS; Tunica, MS, and Shiloh National Battlefield
Cruise to the Bahamas

2010
Cruise to Belize, Honduras, & Mexico
Road trip to Chicago
Chattanooga/Ocoee Weekend Trip with Boyd
Wicked Weekend in Louisville, KY
Washington DC (to accept a national award!)
New York/Washington DC/Nashville Road Trip with family
New Orleans for Christmas (because I am homesick!)

2009
Louisville, KY (FINALLY going to see "Wicked"!!)
New Orleans, LA (Mardi Gras!)
St. Louis, MO (Final "Rent" tour)
Smoky Mountains, TN
New Orleans, LA (work - but who cares??)
Holy Land (Israel & Jordan)

2008
Pensacola, FL
Move to Nashville, TN
Thanksgiving in Knoxville, TN
Metropolis, IL

Hard Rock Cafe's I have visited

I've been visiting Hard Rock Cafe's, and collecting Hard Rock Cafe pins, for about 25 years now, and there is no slowing down! The joke is - if I visit a major city WITHOUT a Cafe, guaranteed, there will be one built there within 3 years. TRUE - it has happened with: Venice, Rome, Seattle, Phoenix, Ocho Rios, Florence, St. Maarten, and Lake Tahoe...

Cafe's I HAVE Visited are:

Aspen (closed)
Atlanta
Atlantic City
Biloxi
Cayman Islands
Chicago
Cozumel
Dallas
Denver
Destin
Dublin
Gatlinburg
Hollywood, CA
Hollywood, FL
Houston
Indianapolis
Key West
La Jolla (Closed)
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Louisville
Memphis
Miami
Nashville
Nassau
New Orleans
New York
Orlando
Paris
Philadelphia
San Antonio
San Francisco
San Juan (Closed)
St. Louis
St. Thomas (Closed)
Washington DC

Thanks for Viewing my VT Page!

You'll fit right in!

Alice: But I don't want to go among mad people.
The Cat: Oh, you can't help that. We're all mad here.

Intro Updated May 21, 2012
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Comments (120)

dusica_stamenik May 23, 2012 at 8:01 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for your worm birthday wishes Mellisa....you two look so happy together!!Hugs from Macedonia
Yaqui May 22, 2012 at 6:16 PM Report Abuse

Thank you Milessa for stopping by my Anaheim page. I have so many fond memories of spending it there too with my family growing up. My dad would take us every year. I would have too, but with my youngest having autism, we haven't been able to do that. Lovely wedding photo, a very handsome couple you are!
CatherineReichardt May 3, 2012 at 12:16 AM Report Abuse

Hi Melissa
Looking forward to that album of travel-related Christmas ornaments - maybe we should have a little competition for the best and cheesiest (goodfish also has a selection on her PPP)?
You looked lovely on your wedding day - I've never seen peacock feathers used before in a wedding bouquet, and it's very effective.
Regards
Cathy
TheTravelSlut Apr 30, 2012 at 12:41 PM Report Abuse

Thank you for the happy early birthday wishes!

Ann, TS :-)
connectingrod Apr 27, 2012 at 3:12 AM Report Abuse

I only got chance to visit Indonesia :(
Benson35 Apr 25, 2012 at 8:10 AM Report Abuse

Thank you for the birthday wishes!
Hayley :)
sayedaburas Apr 6, 2012 at 2:12 AM Report Abuse

Thank you so much ineed. How sweet and kind of you Sweetie.. looking forward to bidding the sweet couple a warm welcome to Alexandria (~_~)
DennyP Apr 4, 2012 at 2:38 AM Report Abuse

HI Mel. Thanks so much for your best b/day wishes....so kind...also thanx for the p/card from Maryland arrived yesterday.... hugs from here Denny..
sudhirkorukonda Mar 23, 2012 at 6:18 AM Report Abuse

Nice sera
liliana91 Mar 21, 2012 at 1:15 AM Report Abuse

Thank you.. :)