22 Nov The roots of my traveling passion

Different car, different trip, same family. That’s me in the middle holding a dollar bill. No doubt I’m already saving it for my next trip.

It’s no accident that I write travel books for kids. My earliest memories are of being on the road. We’re in our two-toned white and chocolate brown Ford station wagon headed from Kansas to Florida. Family friends have joined us for the 4,000-mile trip—four adults and five kids aged three to six are packed into the car that seems as big as a boat. As a bonus we take a quick flight to Havana. My only memories of that side trip are of tall, dark haired women with skin the color of roasted peanuts striding past us in stiletto heels and pencil skirts. My mother and her friend wore neither. At the impressionable age of three I already knew people had different ways of living.

Since those early days, I’ve traveled to over 45 countries and have relished the journey as much as the destination no matter where I landed. Even now, though, I’m a little worried I won’t make it to all of them. What if I never get to Turkey or Cape Verde? Even missing Tasmania would be a letdown.

I’ll keep you posted on how it goes. I hope you’ll join me for the journey. – Janelle