German and Austrian Alps 2012

About this blog

I have many different emotions as I sit down to write this entry to my beloved travel blog. Twenty years ago next week, one of my best buddies, Tom Herrron and I took off for my first international trip that has led to a lifetime love of travel. Tom and I worked together, we were both single, and he traveled from Chicago every other week to inspect my bank's loan portfolio and we soon became fast friends. One night out after work, Tom asked me, "What is it that you wished to have done and you haven't?" I thought a second and replied. "International travel." He said that was something he had not done since he was a kid and to make a long story short, about four weeks later, we were sitting in the upper deck of a British Airways 747 having a drink, not believing that we were on our way to London for our first international trip together. It opened up a new life for me as I now approach my 100th overseas trip, and I still get that same feeling as I get on the plane to start my next journey. Tom and I made every mistake one could ever make on that first trip, but we had an absolute blast! Tom, here's to starting the journey of my beloved travel life, I will never forget it, they always say the first time is the best! To the great friends I have made along this journey, Angie in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland; Karl in Vienna; Speedy and Kathy in Luxembourg,; the Parliament of Langkawi, Malaysia, Jess and Ryan, Donna and Bob, Alice and Walter, Whitford and Heather on the Isle of Guernsey and many others along the way. I found out quite quickly that it is not the sights of the trips that you remember, but it is the wonderful people you meet along the way, and I found that to be sooooo true! To Charlie Hawes, my travel mate for almost 18 of those twenty years, we have traveled together so many time, I think we could pack each other's bag!! Charlie I hope we have many more experiences in the coming years, each one is truly an adventure. And Tom, I hope there is one more with Charlie and me for old times sake, we are hoping for it! Most of all to my lovely wife Sandy. She understands my wanderlust and lets me go off on my many jaunts without asking for much in return. Thanks for understanding, it means the world to me! So much for my slobbering, I hope I get another 20 more as I continue to travel the earth looking for that next travel adventure!!

Follow me as I travel through the German and Austrian Alps as I celebrate the 20th year anniversary of my first international trip. I will travel to Munich, then on to Mittenwald, Germany, then on to Innsbruck, Austria, Salzburg, Austria and then finish up in Munich for a couple of days. I am looking for nice winter snow, cold beer and good German food. Hang on as I toboggan down the Alps, visit the Sound of Music country and just have fun the the Alps. Hold on, it should be fun!