The Travel Journals Under My Bed

I've always felt drawn to write. Even before I knew how to spell, or, let's face it, properly hold a pen, I wanted to write.

Thankfully, my family has always supported my dreams. My Mom wrote down the stories I told and we illustrated them "together." My Dad read me the same stories over and over in silly voices, and my Grandma and Grandpa bought me beautiful journals to fill.

I took my first trip abroad when I was nine, and before I left my Grandma gave me a black, white and pink journal with poodles illustrated on the cover. Only the first few pages have my scrawl on them―I was more fascinated by the real Parisian dogs―but that's all it took.

Ever since then I've kept a journal on every adventure. Some are more complete than others due to the itinerary and who I was traveling with, but at the very least, pub coasters, ticket stubs, maps, receipts and postcards are shoved, taped and glued into the pages.

...pub coasters, ticket stubs, maps, receipts and postcards are shoved, taped and glued into the pages...

When I was in seventh grade I tried to start a travel blog, (it's probably still out there somewhere...a scary thought), and it just wasn't for me; I'm a little too obsessed with my penmanship. But now I'm here, transcribing those journals stacked under my bed for the world to read and be inspired by.

By reading the posts under the Travel Journal Excerpts tab, you’re allowing me to take you on my journeys around the world―and, in some cases, back in time―as I revisit 13 countries and countless adventures. Each story has been tweaked to make up for the fact it was jotted down while waiting at bus stops, on bumpy train rides and in dimly lit restaurants over glasses of German wine.

I hope that my trips down memory lane will transport you halfway around the world and right across from me as I rock rappel down a 20-story cliff, write a letter to Juliette, snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, and eat chocolate mousse as the Eiffel Tower sparkles above me.

Happy Reading and Bon Voyage!