On the way home from Florida, of course, I stopped to see my three grandkids. After three months of being away I received a lot of hugs. We played and played and played. My seven year old granddaughter said that she had a librarian in her room. I asked some questions about the meaning of …
Author: The Autonomous Traveler
My life has been metamorphosis from a shy, scared little girl to an adventurous woman who travels the world by herself. I am a grandmother and a retired teacher who is a lifelong learner with a degree in the social sciences. My trips are opportunities to directly experience the wonders of world in order to understand what unites us all and, as a result, to better understand myself.
Staunton, Virginia….WOW!
For eight years, on my snowbird travels to and from Florida I passed Staunton, Virginia on Interstate 81 and thought that someday I should visit the Woodrow Wilson Library. I love history. Ever since my trip to Barcelona, Spain I have been interested in the events of the early 1900's. The Spanish artists, Gaudi …
The Travel Bug, A Gift from My Dad
On Saturday, if my dad was still alive, he would have turned 95 years old. On Sunday, as I headed home to The North Country, I stopped at a tourist attraction between North and South Carolina. "South of The Border" is bigger but shabbier than the first time I visited almost 60 years ago. Route …
Fleeing
Dear friends at the condo complex almost shouted with panic when I told them I was staying until the end of my rental lease, March 31, Easter Saturday. They left days before to void traffic and mayhem. Maybe apocalyptic herds of Easter bunnies ready to throw imperfect colored eggs at their cars? Heading …
Leaving
On a whim I took an adult education class at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. About eight weeks ago, I started this blog. I am a snowbird. When my world up north turns grey, black, and brown I head south. But now that I hear that the snow is melting and spring in North …
“Can You Hear My Voice this Time?”
Sometimes traveling is not about tickets and long flights. Sometimes a significant journey is unplanned and brief. On March 14, I came out of an adult education class at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida and saw a large circle of college students under the campus gazebo. Because I didn't want to intrude, I stood …
Call Out to My Readers-How do you stay organized at the airport?
Airline confirmation, boarding passes, luggage ticket. Put the car and house keys in a safe place, keep ID and/or passport safe but handy, toiletries in clear quart bag. Need a snack? Be sure to put debit card back in wallet. Take off shoes and jacket and put them in the bin. Can't see the boarding …
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WARNING! Stay Contained!
I have known my friend, Emma, for over 40 years. She's one of the most organized people I know. Emma keeps a neat, tastefully decorated home; entertains with gourmet meals; and maintains optimum efficiency with lists neatly written in steno notebooks. My small rented one bedroom condo was Emma's last stop during her two week …
Hints for Women Travelers-#5 Speak and Listen as Much as You Can
Too many times through the course of history women were silenced. Too many times over the centuries their mobility and freedom were stifled by the notion that females needed an escort whenever they left their homes. Because of the spirited evolution of our gender, these limitations are gone. We now have more power over our lives, our …
Continue reading Hints for Women Travelers-#5 Speak and Listen as Much as You Can
Hard Beginnings in Warsaw
🙂  Thank goodness for the Polish professor who sat next to me on the plane trip to Warsaw. He was returning to his university in Poland’s capital after presenting at an energy conference in The States. We had a very pleasant back-and-forth conversation. Even though I knew nothing about his field, I thought I …
The Autonomous Traveler 