May 18 2022

This Travel Blog Is Coming Out of Retirement

We’re back! The blog is back! *blows dust off of keyboard* *coughs*

Like, literally, we’re back.

I never thought we would return to the U.S. so I’m as surprised to (STILL) be here as you are. We thought it would be temporary, and even after a few years I thought, “Well, we might go to Mexico again,” or to Portugal, or Italy (I really like Italy.) So many options, and I didn’t feel like a traveler if I wasn’t going somewhere far, far away.

So I let my travel blog sit and wait, and I left you sitting and waiting too, Dear Reader.

Sorry about that.

About a week ago I realized I still tell people about our time in Mexico because it’s the best way to stick in their memory. Selling everything and moving to Mexico with our family, the adventures we had, everything on this blog (and a lot that didn’t make it)–is that the most interesting thing about me? If so, does that mean I’ve peaked and it’s all downhill from here? Depressing.

Hello, Midlife Crisis, nice to meet you.

Just kidding, but I did ask myself those questions, and I wasn’t very comfortable asking them, much less answering.

So I decided to do what I always do, to just make shit happen.

I refuse to let those 3 years in Mexico be the highlight of our lives-there’s plenty of time to raise the bar! We may not be roaming as much as we used to but we are still going places and doing things.

For example, one of the kids has joined the circus, the other is a mermaid. No, really, this is our life now.

Asking myself that question was my wake up call, now I’m sending you yours.

The Everyday Journey is going to get a makeover in the next few weeks so watch this space. I’ll be purging the subscriber list of inactive users as I redesign and shake things up, checking in will make sure you stay on the list and don’t miss anything.

There will be fresh content, travel and otherwise and a new look. We have actual trips planned now that The Virus That Shall Not Be Mentioned is easing up, and I’m working on some other writing projects that will interest those of you who come here for the smooth wordsmith skills.

Before I go I have a question for you:

What do you want to hear from me?

Burning questions? Story requests? Comments on my hair? This is your chance to pick my brain and/or make your demands (just don’t ask for money because I still don’t have any.)

See you soon…

I may never bother to have a full head of hair again, the undercut makes it so much cooler. Literally and figuratively, I feel cooler.

May 25 2016

Aluxes Eco Park – Visa Run Part 10

turtle eco park aluxes

“In Mayan culture the Aluxes are young, happy, and playful elves that care for crops and protect the jungle for Mother Nature.”

This is the sign that greets you when you enter Aluxes Eco Parque between the town of Palenque and the ruins. Continue reading

May 19 2016

Return to Palenque – Visa Run Part 9

palenque

I first went to Palenque in 2014 to meet up with two strangers who would become my friends, Tim and Cristina of Marginal Boundaries. It was my first solo travel, my first venture into Chiapas, and my first Mayan ruin outside of the popular ones on the East coast. Right away Palenque became one of my favorite places, and I couldn’t wait to take my family there. Continue reading

May 5 2016

Getting the 180 Day Stamp-Visa Run Part 8

visa run border crossing

Part 8 of our visa run (start here if you didn’t read the earlier posts.) We spent the last of our Guatemalan currency having breakfast at the Hotel Casa Amelia and were picked up in another smallish tour van for the ride back to Mexico. Even though it was only 8:20 we were the last ones in again, so we sat where we could and settled in for a long ride. Continue reading

April 12 2016

Tikal and 3 Kings Day Fireworks – Visa Run Part 7

Guatemala tikal

After a 6 hour bus ride we were finally in Guatemala.  The tour guide for the ruins of Tikal had said they would pick us up “At 8, maybe 825,” which I took to mean they would be late. We were sitting at the breakfast table downstairs in our hotel at 750 and had just placed our orders when the van showed up. So much for food, we had to go, couldn’t keep the group waiting. Continue reading

February 25 2016

Getting to Guatemala – Visa Run Part 6

visa run

Part 6 in my series detailing our first Visa Run:

When we left off we were having our family’s first backpacker-esque experience at Lacun ha cabanas somewhere near the border between Mexico and Guatemala; no power, limited food options, free-range poultry for an alarm clock. It’s not unpleasant, but I wouldn’t want to do it long term. Continue reading

January 17 2016

Visa Run Part 5: Mayan Ruins of Yaxchilan and Bonampak

The journey to Mayan ruins of Yaxchilan is one of my favorites so far, off in the remote jungle and only accessible by boats that look like overgrown canoes. I do wish it didn’t have to start so early. Continue reading

January 15 2016

Visa Run part 4: Chasing Waterfalls

Sorry for the delay but yesterday was Rory’s 7th birthday and I take the day off for birthdays. Back to the Visa Run Vacation: Our first day of touring we were up early ready to meet the tour group we would be with for the next 6 days only to find the people in our group a surprise. Continue reading

January 13 2016

Visa Run Part 3: La Venta

visa run

Did you read part 1 and 2 yet? Start here.

After taking a spontaneous taxi tour of Villahermosa in search of rain ponchos we finally gave up, only to find them at the gate to the place we wanted to go, La Venta Parque Museo. Continue reading

January 12 2016

Visa Run Part 2: The Overnight Bus to Villahermosa

visa run

Let’s talk about overnight buses. They can be a great way to get somewhere while you sleep, but they can also be terrifying and uncomfortable insomnia inducers. For my family it seems to be a bit of both. Continue reading