Cheryl

How did you catch the travel bug?
Traveling is a new experience for me. I spent many years sitting at home content with an occasional trip to visit my family in Georgia and our annual beach trip.

In November of 2016 things changed. My daughter, Crystal, took me on a once in a lifetime trip to Washington state. That trip was full of lots of firsts: first time out of the Southeast, airplane ride, time being away from home for more than a day or two at a time, and so many more. That trip made me realize that I may not have the ability to go everywhere that I would like to go, but I can definitely go lots of places and see many wonderful things.

I have no intentions of sitting home anymore! So far, I’ve been to 20 states in 9 years, and I’m not slowing down anytime soon. That trip opened up a whole new world for me, and I’m grateful for great travel, family, and friends. I look forward to the trips I get to take every year now, and I know they’re always going to be fantastic.

What’s your favorite place that you’ve been?
Mount Rainier. It looked like I had stepped into a winter wonderland, unlike anything I had ever seen. Simply beautiful!

Is there anywhere you’ve been that you don’t care to go back to?
So far, no.

Where haven’t you been yet that you really want to visit?
So many places. I want to visit all 50 states, and I’m almost halfway there. I’d also like to go to Europe, especially England and Scotland.

What’s your most unusual experience so far?
When I visited Raptor Ranch (AKA Flinstones Bedrock City) outside of Williams, AZ, a falcon flew through my arms. That was so cool!

Tell us about a place there that really surprised you, good or bad.
Oatman, AZ. We drove through there while traveling Route 66. It was overwhelming, and we were only there for a few minutes. I feel like we didn’t really get a chance to see it, and I want to go back and actually spend some time there.

Have you ever happened upon somewhere/something really cool by accident?
When we were doing a lighthouse tour in Florida, we asked the ladies at the Carrabelle lighthouse if there were any interesting things to do or see in the area. She sent us to an address for the bottle house. We had no idea what to expect.

Mountains or beach?
Beach!
But after camping for the first time in many many years, I have a new appreciation for the mountains.

Road trip, plane, train, or boat?
Road trip!

What’s your packing philosophy? Over- or under-pack? Ahead of time or last minute?
I am usually a procrastinator!

What is the most essential item that you pack?
Bug guard, sunscreen, and chargers

If you could only use one app on your next trip, which would you choose?
I agree with Jess…Waze.

How do you feel about traveling without a GPS?
I need a GPS. I get far too distracted and excited by everything I see as we’re driving to read a map. I also have a crazy need to take pictures of everything, and a map would get in the way of that.

Have you ever gone somewhere just for the picture?
Yes, and like Jess, I have not been disappointed!