Chasing Freedom – A Journey Across Continents & Within.

Travel is more than a journey through places—it’s a journey into myself. Every destination has a spark, a reminder of who I am and who I’m becoming. From sipping Sancerre and eating pâté in the vineyards of Chablis to truffle hunting in Tuscany with four generations of my family, including my 88-year-old grandfather and my twenty-something sons, I’ve felt the deep resonance of life’s interconnectedness. These moments are more than memories; they’re proof of life’s beauty, spontaneity, and freedom.

I’ve stood on the untamed tundra of Alaska at Winterlake Lodge, sharing stories with DeeDee, a legendary dog musher who has run the Iditarod more than twenty times. Her grit and grace mirrored the wildness of the lakes and land surrounding us. I’ve wandered through tea plantations in Sri Lanka, where serendipitous encounters with strangers turned into profound, heartfelt exchanges. Whether in the open Serengeti of Kenya, the quiet charm of Prince Edward Island, or the icy marvel of Kiruna’s Ice Hotel, I am reminded of freedom’s essence: it’s not just a place—it’s a feeling.

This sense of freedom carries me across continents, a wanderlust that propels me forward. Is it about running away from something or toward something? I wonder if I’ll ever truly know. What I do know is that these experiences stitch together a patchwork of gratitude and purpose. As I anticipate closing in on my goal of visiting all seven continents—Australia and Antarctica this December and February—I can’t help but reflect on the why. Why do I need to explore, to connect, to feel?

Perhaps it’s because travel offers clarity, stripping away life’s noise and revealing the raw, untamed truth of existence. Whether I’m sitting in hours of traffic in China while tombs are being cleaned on the way to the Great Wall, counting tunnels in Croatia with my husband, seeing bullet holes in buildings in Bosnia, or meeting remarkable women on a walkabout in Bali, there’s an undeniable sense of kismet in these moments. Am I blessed and grateful? Yes, deeply. But gratitude isn’t passive—it’s a responsibility. It’s about utilizing these experiences in the most beautiful way possible, honoring them, and letting them transform me.

With every step on foreign soil, every glass of wine shared with family, and every unplanned meeting that feels like destiny, I feel humbled by life’s vastness and empowered by my role in it. Life may be larger than me, but I am the one charting my path, chasing freedom, connection, and meaning. For now, that is enough.