Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Introduction aka About me

     Hi Everyone!  My name is Patty.  While growing up in a suburb of Chicago, I read a lot about different places in the world and dreamed of traveling one day.  Then, I met my husband, Enrique, who had the traveling spirit too.  We dated for a few years, married, and soon after started traveling beginning with short day trips exploring our local area to longer vacations out of state during time off to living in another country and state.  After I had a major health scare, I was faced with the realization that life is not forever.  I decided that I really wanted to live my life and follow my dreams.  After taking care of our financial obligations, we decided to begin changes in our life to allow us to better pursue our travel plans.  I now enjoy regular travels through the U.S. and Mexico with my husband.  We drive so we can fully take everything in and also to take our cats and dog along with us.  Stateside, we have been to Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas.  In Mexico, we have been through Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato, Guadalajara, and Michoacán. 

     In addition to travel, we have lived in new places and met new folks.  During the winter of 2013, we lived in my husband’s childhood home city Morelia, the capital city of Michoacán in Mexico.  Then, we returned to the Chicago area, but soon realized that in addition to missing our family in Mexico, we had enjoyed our winter without freezing cold air, snow, and ice as well.  When we were traveling to Mexico, passing through Texas we found that some folks in Texas were friendly and helpful.  Also, we liked the sunny warm weather and that it is in between Chicago and Morelia.  So, while catching the end of winter in Chicago, we decided to relocate to Texas.  I had my heart set on San Antonio.  Why San Antonio?  Well, I visited San Antonio back in middle school with my choir class for the America Sings competition at Fiesta Texas in San Antonio.  I had so much fun there going to the Alamo, SeaWorld, and Fiesta Texas with my lifelong friends during this trip that I always wanted to return to visit. 
However, we took a slight detour on the way to San Antonio and spent a year in Houston.  We were very fortunate to have friends who helped us start out our Texas living adventure in Houston.  While in Houston, we explored the places in and around Houston.  We discovered all we could – from the bayous to downtown treasures to NASA to the warm Gulf waters of Galveston beach.  Houston was a good experience, but my heart was tugging toward the rolling hills of San Antonio.  So here we are!  But, we have dreams of visiting Europe, India, and Asia.  Who knows where we will be next year?!

     Every place has opportunity for learning and exploration!  I love traveling so much and never thought I would have been to the places I have.  I greatly encourage others to get out and explore!  I want to inspire you to take your dreams of travel to the road, air, water and get out there to live your dreams!