Today millions of Americans have traveled near and far to see their families and loved ones to give thanks for what we have. Whether you’ve just gone over the river and through the woods, or flown across the continent, this annual trek isn’t an obligation. It’s a tradition. The question isn’t really how far you’d travel for a home cooked meal, but when can you get there? After jumping the pond to Paris, going the extra mile to Finale for a few days seems like nothing. It is really about 400 miles and I arrive late Thursday evening just before a big storm. The next morning, I make my way to...

October 30 – Paris, France It is an unusually warm fall morning as I walk the quiet streets of Paris on my way to mass at Notre Dame. The streets are damp from rain the night before but this morning the sky is blue and cloudless. Paris mornings are typically slow, but this Sunday is even more tranquil as I navigate metro closures and join the stream of tourists crowding buses towards the cathedral. I worry I have missed the early mass until someone tells me Europe has “fallen back.” Suddenly I have a full hour to grab a coffee and croissant and look at souvenir stands. Soon the bells announce the...

It doesn’t matter if you travel for business or adventure. Take enough trips, and you begin to search for just the right gear: The best suitcase or pack, clothes that require minimal maintenance, small toiletries, and maybe the most essential item: the best shoes.  Shoes take the brunt of any trip and for my lifestyle need to serve many purposes. Can I hike to a climbing wall in them? Will they look stylish in the city? How many hours can I walk before my feet hurt? It’s a tough standard to meet, so when I finally find the pair that works, it is very hard to say goodbye. But that day...

In the spring of 1999 a gal pal called me with the idea to meet her brother in London then go to Paris. It was still off-season, tickets inexpensive and the romance of April in Paris irresistible. In a week I had a flight booked and I had my passport on an express request. Two weeks later, the three of us emerged from the metro on a warm spring night. As we oriented ourselves, a couple ran across the cobblestone street to greet each other with kisses. My more experienced traveling friends were  focused on the map. I was wide-eyed at the scene before me. This was Paris. It was just as it looked in the...

What comes first: the travel or the collection? After the experiences and excitement of a trip, there are the memories. Photos can bring these back, but so can souvenirs. Intentionally or not, over time, these reminders of places I’ve been start to fall into categories. This became glaringly apparent as I finally unpacked from my three months in Italy. After living out of a suitcase for so long, it was hard for me to move more than the essentials back into my Arizona home. My shelves were empty, my closet had a few shoes and summer clothes. Even my pantry was at a minimum. In a wave of “cost...