Brussels to Bangkok 

It starts with a dream. 

Then lots of planning. 

Learn from your mistakes.

Finally, Take action. 

Essentially that’s how it worked for my wife and myself. 

We wanted to take a break. 

Not retire, just back off the pace. 

Our dream: take a break for 1 year and travel.

Take that time to redefine our life 

align ourselves for a future together.

Friends, have you ever dreamed of living your best life?

Maybe you know exactly what I mean

You are living your best life right now. 

Or maybe you’re feeling a bit fed up?

Maybe you are looking for an alternate path?

Let me share my experience.

Without insisting that you do what we did.

There was a time we were convinced there was no other options than

work, eat and sleep.

My personal dream started when I was a young boy. I wanted to travel but didn’t have the financial means or the know how. I can remember as a 13 year old,  I decided to start shoveling snow for the neighbors. The money earned went into a piggy bank for something my mother called “delayed gratification.”

The planning took years. 

“What ifs” conversations were the normal. 

We would come up with “what if ” scenarios and then 

solutions on how to resolve them

and not repeat the negative outcome.

What if one of us breaks a toe?

What if we get lost?

What if we get sick?

Ultimately, we learned “what if’s” didn’t matter.

Yes, it’s good to plan 

but realize

Everything changes after you start.

For example:

We never considered a worldwide pandemic in our “what if” scenarios!

The only thing certain about the future 

is change.

It’s how you react and grow from the change that makes life and travel so interesting. 

Dreaming and planning are very important.

Try not to repeat mistakes.

If you want to improve your life and the lives of the people you love, 

you must take action. 

We took action and cut the cord.

We sold our home

And everything in it.

We separated from our jobs.

The car went away.

The mail forwarded.

And the precious things we could not part with went into storage.

Then the unexpected happened.

Fernando passed away.

He was a close personal friend.

He was family.

And he died on a Tuesday. 

No warning, no illness, just gone. 

It was a wake up call that was the hardest thing ever to hear. 

The message was clear. 

Life is short. 

Don’t put off your dreams, 

make plans, 

take action

Learn and improve from mistakes

And now a new lesson:

Learn to accept the things you can not control.

For you if will be different. 

Just like each person’s life is different.

Trust yourself. 

You’re smarter, stronger and braver than you think.

Who here doesn’t like a vacation? 

If I could give you 2 weeks vacation in Hawaii, all expenses paid, would you take it? 

Some people would. Others may not.

A vacation is something you do for a few weeks and then return home. 

Our dream was to take a break and travel.

Not a vacation but travel without a return.

Our action was to remove the things that tie us down.

Our jobs, our things, our responsibilities all went on hold or away.

Was it hard? Yes at first.

Are we happy? Yes. 

Are we glad I took this action? Most definitely Yes. 

Each day is filled with excitement. 

As a couple,we’re closer than ever before. 

Furthermore, we’re aligned for a future together.

Traveladvisors, the online travel service, suggest 60% of Americans are 

planning to someday take a vacation. 

Of those, almost half wish they could turn that vacation into full time travel. 

What part of that percentage are you? 

Do you have a dream? 

Are you making plans? 

Do you learn from your mistakes?

Are you ready to take action to live your best life?

I’d love to hear from you.

Safe Travels,

Daniel

2 flat tires, a rusty chain, something decided to snack on the saddle; this is the “gift” of a bicycle on a vacation. 

My connection to bicycles goes way back to my childhood. Independence and autonomy was a 2 wheel pony stored in the backyard shed. As the youngest of a large catholic family, I received the hand-me-downs.  “Experienced” is the term our family used. Clothes, toys, sometimes medicine were always retained for future use. Bicycles were top of the list. My development of hand tool skills was driven by my need for independence and it all started with that broken bike in the shed. Fortunately, the tools to fix the bike were conveniently located next to the bikes. Pump up the tires and add some oil to the chain and I was free to roam the galaxy of East St. Paul, Minnesota

Not everyone has this connection with a bicycle. Often a bicycle is a gift not wanted. In some cases, it becomes a clothes hanger or, the worst case scenario, a broken promise to yourself towards self improvement. Have you ever made a New Years resolution only to abandon that dream by mid February? Forgotten bicycles occupy garages, basements and sheds throughout the Midwest . House guests who arrive uninvited are usually given the first right of refusal to these ancient 2 wheeled relics of the back yard. Usually a bit of air in the tires and some love will get these ponies back on the road.

There is no better way in my opinion to understand and explore the local scene then by bicycles. What better way to give a gift back to your host than to make their bike better than you found it. Dusting off the Schwinn collegiate and learning the local route to the swimming beach is a freedom I have not experienced since childhood.

If you want to take your vacation to the next level and live like a local, grab a bike and take it for a spin at the location of your next dream vacation.

The sound of silence happens on a lake, at a cabin in Nissaw, Minnesota. Interruptions occur only by the neighbors, an aquatic family of Gaviidae, three (common black throated loons) that have nested on the DNR float just past the dock. The adolescents are fast becoming experts at fishing and learning the skill necessary to survive. At first, they’re hesitant to dive, now it’s about feeding the hungry feeling and adding mass. Migration south to the Gulf of Mexico starts in just a few weeks. The mother urges her chicks with a mournful cry that is unmistakable. A screeching cautious high note quickly dropping to low bass tones of sorrow and disparity.

There’s no internet at the lake. Never has been so it’s not entirely missed. In fact, it doesn’t even come up in conversation unless you mention it in question to another human back in town. Then they might just give you a funny look. Ah, the Look. One of those skeptical grimaces that scrunches together on a face that makes the bearer appear a bit afraid with a bit of disbelief. If you get the look, don’t take it personal. Remember to relax and enjoy the day. You’re at the lake for goodness sakes.

Weather happens on the lake. Silence is golden probably because it is so scarce . Nature itself roars. Wind is the true power and it can appear at any moment. From a slight breeze in the branches the wind can sneak up and churn the water into a deadly foam. The danger is always present and it’s wise to respect the power. Don’t fight it and don’t try and run. If you can, hunker down and wait it out. Let it pass and hope it spares you. I have a huge respect for big water and high wind. I’ve lost a dear friend who was within 100 feet of shore. The first wave fills the boat with water and the second wave takes everything away. If anything can be gained from such a tragedy, it’s this. Respect the weather.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton