Tag Archives: enjoy the journey

Happy Sixth Anniversary Looks and Leaps

by Wendy

We started the blog six Januarys ago. Posts have dwindled but I’m glad to have this record of past trips, especially during a pandemic. Some stories remind me of things I’d forgotten and bring memories into sharper focus, while others spark future travel inspiration. I look at a favorite photo of Madrid and think how fun it will be to walk into a bar where you stand shoulder to shoulder and choose tapas that are arranged on the counter and drink glasses of wine and practice Spanish with complete strangers. I read posts on London and feel optimistic knowing that sooner or later, our family trip will happen, and we’ll wander through museums and lively streets and navigate the underground and eat fish and chips in a pub. We will have beach and ski vacations and spring break and whirlwind weekends and visits with relatives and guests in our house and relaxing hotel stays and train travel. We’ll get there again.

Happy Fifth Anniversary Looks and Leaps!

by Wendy

Looks and Leaps blog launched in January 2015. In honor of the anniversary, I am sharing just a few of my favorite posts from our family over the past five years, in no particular order, covering a wide range of travel destinations and topics. This has been a fun archive to create and has hopefully provided a little inspiration or entertainment along the way. 

Thank you to all writers and all readers! Continue reading →

Happy Fourth Anniversary Looks and Leaps

by Wendy

January is the anniversary of the Looks and Leaps blog project. Thanks go to family members who write and edit posts, and to readers (who are probably for the most part these same family members). Thanks to everyone who has offered a kind word of encouragement on or offline.

I read that fruit and flowers are traditional presents for the fourth anniversary, so I’ve pulled together photos on this theme from previous years of travel. Many of these were taken by family members, who I also thank for their superior photography skills. The top one depicts flowers outside a pub in London, where I wish we could gather to toast travel stories and travel with family and another year of both. Continue reading →

Meet Me in St Louis

by Wendy
One of my favorite work trips this summer was to St. Louis. Sure, the meetings I attended were interesting . . . but I was also able to meet Dad and my brother in law Jimmy for a baseball game!

Longtime Cardinals fans Dad and Jimmy arrived in St. Louis in time to catch a Tuesday evening game. After work wrapped up on Wednesday, I took a taxi to meet them downtown. Continue reading →

Utah Four Times

by Wendy
During the past six months, I traveled to Utah four times. Once for skiing, twice for work, and most recently for an epic vacation with my husband Jack, parents Cindy and Joe, sister April, nephew J, sister Sunny, brother-in-law Jimmy, and niece MJ. Continue reading →

Looking Ahead

by Wendy
When manic weather swings from balmy to cold rain, and New Year’s motivation has left the party long ago, and you’re powering through the work routine in the daytime and hibernating at home in the evening, travel adventures can feel far away from reality. Looking back at old photos helps spark inspiration, as well as the reassurance to keep looking ahead. There will be beauty on both familiar and unfamiliar paths. Continue reading →

Happy Third Anniversary to Looks and Leaps

The third anniversary of Looks and Leaps is celebrated in January! While we haven’t published as frequently during the past couple of months, we definitely look forward to sharing more stories this year. In the meantime, be sure to browse the archive – 2017 included posts on Banff National Park, Canada, Montana, Disney, Hilton Head, Paris, San Sebastian, Madrid, Philadelphia, Coronado California, a Game of Thrones theme dinner, New Mexico, Vermont, and many other destinations and topics. A special thanks to our writers – and of course, all readers! Cheers!

Top of any Travel Itinerary

by Wendy
Many of my fondest memories – travel or otherwise – are of gatherings with great food, drinks, and interesting conversation. I love a long drawn out dinner when everyone is telling stories. While dinner with new acquaintances can be fun, I’m talking about those occasions with family and close friends, when everyone feels comfortable and appreciated and there are plenty of shared references and inside jokes to keep a conversation going for ages. Continue reading →