Bicentennial Abroad: A Declaration of Independence

There always seemed to be an adventure to be had and a story to be told, written or remembered Pursuing a dream to travel, see amazing places, meet wonderful people from all walks of life, and sharing thoughts and experiences in my journals was the best way to memorialize it Starting in my early youth, fantasizing about travel and adventure from books, movies to re-enacting them with make shift forts, rafts, and friends, a little "Walter Mitty-esque" It was amazing to read our old encyclopedias, looking at world history and maps, learning about legendary figures I wanted to be a writer, an artist, a singer, an athlete...lead a cavalry charge, swing from tree to tree, climb the highest peaks, cross the great divide, etc...endless dreams.

At the age of 17, I was fully grown and asserting my young adulthood, with a say in my life decisions about my future education, activities, and travel One of my best friends and I took off for NYC, Boston, and Walden Pond the summer before our senior year in high school for a TRULY awakening experience A year later in college at Alfred State together with some other friends, 2 years later off to Arizona State with another friend, back east to SUNY Oswego, Outward Bound program in North Carolina and ultimately off to Bruges, Belgium to end my senior year of college and beyond... Did I say MIND-BLOWING, 5 years later and 22... on roads less traveled

Come join the ride and or continue on your own journey