Galveston?

It's official. This February, we're going to Galveston, Texas, for a month. Booked plane. Booked condo on the beach. Then someone said, "You're going where? Galveston?" 

I know nothing of Galveston Island, but as I look forward to about 4 months before flowers sprout, and it hit 10 degrees this last week here in Spokane, those warm temps in Galveston look pretty good. 

The condo faces a boardwalk along a less populated section of the ocean. We'll take walks along Seawall Boulevard. Cafes and restaurants await nearby. A little pier juts out with views of birds and boats, a perfect place for an afternoon coffee, or to watch the sun set, or a Wild Blue Heron take flight.

Wild Blue Heron by Barclay Nix (Flickr)

Because of family health issues, we haven't really been able to travel for two years. Maybe we forgot how? This trip to Galveston is to see if we still can stuff laptop, camera, and other necessaries into a suitcase to live simply for a month. 

If they have a library or used bookstore nearby, the condo is reasonably quiet, and we have access to internet (and tv for the sports fan), I think we'll be just fine. 

And more than ready for our next travel adventure.

"And Dream of Galveston"
Jim Denham on Flickr

Yosemite: Hit the Road, Jack!

Back in the day, just a few years ago, we threw our tent into the car trunk with assorted gear, dug out my Eagle Pass, and drove south. 

Once at the North Pines site, we set up that tent for a week in Yosemite Valley, mid-summer. I remember those lovely days of hiking, cooking dinner with our Coleman stove, and then sitting on our foldable camp chairs, watching the stars come out and listening to the coyotes call. These pictures bring back a few memories of those hikes. 

I know many people don't like to camp out. I suppose I'd never convince them to give it a try -- but those of you who have slept out on the ground know why I'm reviewing my camping gear (and skills) and thinking about the coming summer trip as December closes in! 

Maybe you'll remember that great song, "Hit the Road, Jack, and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more!"  I'm ready to hit the road.