How old were you when you first travelled?
I was 5 years old when I took my first big trip.
What is your favourite form of travelling: car, bus, train, or plane?
I like traveling by car the best. I love the concept of hitting the open road, and having the freedom to stop wherever and whenever.. You can’t do that on a plane, or a bus, or a train.
Where did you go on your first road trip?
It was a family trip, across the U.S., from California to Massachusetts. I still remember sitting in the backseat of my dad’s Chevy Nova, singing John Jake Jingleheimersmidt over and over again.
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It was a green Chevy Nova similar to this one above, but it was a 4 door. My brother had just turned 15 and had a driver's permit. My dad let him drive, and we were always on Highway Patrol lookout because of it.
Where did you go on your first bus ride?
Reno, Nevada. It was not a planned trip whatsoever. We were on our way on a trek to the east coast when my dad’s Honda Civic broke down in Lovelock, Nevada. We had to take a bus trip to Reno to get a rental car, and tow the Honda back home. It was horrible. I remember my sister and I had to sit next to an intoxicated man who kept on fantasizing out loud how he was going to “hit the big one” on the slots that night. Oh, and I will never forget that vision of waiting for our Greyhound outside while they were “evacuating” the plumbing of another bus.. Eww..
Lovelock, Nevada----try and avoid this town as much as possible. I will never forget that night when "Bubba" tried to flirt with me in that tow truck, and later finding that dead fly in my hair.
Where did you go on your first train ride?
I took the BART to San Francisco with my best friend from high school. It was Halloween weekend, and we were off to find some costumes in the big city. We didn’t find any.
Bart...it was exciting knowing that we were in a train, under the bay, remember Denise?
Where did you go on your first plane ride?
Azores, Portugal. It was very exciting. I was only 5 and didn’t know exactly where I was going, but I had a new TAP shoulder carry on bag with my favorite doll in it. I was ready.
TAP-Transportes Aeros Portuguesas, or roughly translated: Take Another Plane! Seriously, it's the best airline I've ever flown in. Unfortunately, you have to fly first class to score some bottled wine. I was given 3 bottles when I flew when I was 13. No I didn't drink them--I still have them.
Motion sickness? Treatment of choice?
Don’t have a treatment for that, I just try and avoid it. Never sit in the back seat on a winding road trip, and never look back from the front seat to speak to the kids sitting in the back seat on a winding road. Keep the window open. Never read in the car! Bring wipes, plastic bags and 7-Up and water. I speak from experience.
Bear Creek Rd., Boulder Creek - We have another name for this road. We call it Barf Creek Rd. It was here that my two boys barfed simultaneously with each other. A very windy road, with lots of deer darting in all directions, although very picturesque.
Where would you like to go that you haven't been?
Rome, Paris, Madrid, Lisbon… Anywhere in Europe.
Awww, yes Europe...
Where would you like to go back to?
Hawaii. Went once with some girl friends who just wanted to eat, drink, get their nails done and get henna tattoos. I just wanted to go to the beach. I couldn’t get over how beautiful and romantic it was there. Good place to take my husband—(I didn’t know him back then).
Travelling alone or with someone?
Never alone! With someone! How can you truly enjoy yourself if you aren't sharing the experience with someone you care about?
Your ultimate travelling dream?
Traveling by train through Europe with no deadlines, just a camera with a very high memory card, good walking shoes and lots and lots of Euros… Feel free to send your donations to my email. (Never mind that most of Europe is broke right now. I'm willing to help jump start the economy.)
