Bucket Lists & Good Friends: Bonding Thru Travel

“A friend is one what knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.” —William Shakespeare

That is the type of friendship I have with Moe. We’ve known each other since grade school and grew up together in the same small town, and even as adults, we have remained close friends. That kind of friendship is rare and is a blessing. It is a friendship birthed from the desire to travel and to discover.

Our love of travel and our desire to learn and grow as individuals has been a constant theme throughout our friendship.  Just after graduating high school, we went on a two-month road trip around the U.S. We had spent months beforehand pouring over books and mapping out our route through the states (Google was a thing of the future).

The trip was an adventure we’ll never forget, just two young girls driving across the country in their Chevy Lumina.  We were two free spirits, going wherever the wind was blowing us. Initially, we planned to sleep at campgrounds along the way, but soon this turned into driving all night adventures and sleeping in the car wherever we happened to stop.  The tent was used once.

See, here’s our proof!

It was so much fun, and to our friends and family in the small town where we were raised, we were considered “world travelers.”  Thankfully over the years, both she and I have genuinely become “world travelers” and have been fortunate to go on multiple trips together as well as with our husbands.

The Great Wall, China

Terracotta Soldiers, Xian China

Enjoying a break in Maui with our hubbies.

We are currently planning a two month trip through Europe.  Over a year ago, we discussed how to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our first trip together. And a backpacking trip around Europe quickly became the decided upon adventure.  A homage of sorts to our road trip as young girls.

We are still very much those two young girls with adventure in their hearts.  Since that first road trip, we have both married, moved to different cities & changed as individuals. Yet, we still have the young dreams in our hearts that have never left us.

I look forward to learning more about ourselves on this journey and once again reminding each other that no matter how much time passes, our passion for travel, our love of all things new, and our friendship are constants.  Travel brings people together. Whether it’s loved ones or strangers, it is one of its many benefits.

So without further ado, let’s get to planning! Oh wait, but first…coffee!  A cup of hazelnut coffee, to be exact, it’s one of my favorites. Then on to planning!

Check out Trip Planning 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Planning Your Next Adventure and get started planning your next trip!