I grew up in the state of Colorado for my entire life. From the time I was a year old until I was 18 years old and graduated high school I lived in the exact same house. I was always envious of my friends who moved around and had the chance to live in different places. I didn't have that. But at the same time it was nice because I had the same friends growing up and I never had to change schools mid year.
But I always had a desire to venture out and see new and different places. Growing up I visited Wisconsin many time because my family owns an 80 acre tree farm there and I also visited Florida many times once my grandparents moved from Wisconsin to Florida. My brother played baseball and so we got to travel as a family to different places as well, but they were never very exciting. Places like Nebraska and Missouri. When I started middle school my dad and I talked about wanting to take a road trip together (because we both loved road trips) and we ended up planning a road trip to the Grand Canyon. It was one of the best trips of my life. My dad and I got to spend time together and I was able to see the Grand Canyon which I had never seen before. It was spectacular. Then only a year later my dad and I decided to drive to Washington State for my older cousins high school graduation. I had never been to Washington State or the pacifc northwest and I had never seen where my aunt and uncle and cousins live. It was such an amazing trip because I was able to see so many new places. Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana. We also brought our dog Fudge along. On the way home my dad and I decided to drive through Montana and down through Yellowstone since we had the time and let me just say it was unbelievable. Then when I was in high school my dad and I took the train to Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Although we could have driven there in about three and a half hours, we decided to take the train because we hadn't done that before. We spent a long weekend in Glenwood and it was great.
I have nothing against my mom or my brother, but my dad is a really fun and easy person to travel with. We both never complain and we are able to change plans if needed. My mom and brother also just don't like road trips in general and so that is why they never came with us on the trips. Taking trips with my dad has been something that I have always enjoyed. I would always look forward to the next trip we would embark on. I loved the opportunity to go on an adventure with him.
Now that I am in college our trips have stopped because I am usually traveling back to Colorado for holidays and such that there isn't time for other trips. But this summer since I am not home, my dad and I started talking and he said why don't I drive out to you and we go to some National Park. I of course said yes! And so at the begining of August we are heading to The Grand Tetons and I could not be more excited.
You might be thinking though. If I love traveling so much, have I been outside the country? And the answer to that is no! I have never traveled outside the U.S. The reason for that is mainly money. Growing up we didn't have a lot of money. We definately always had what we needed and were well taken care of, but we never had extra money lying around and so we never traveled outside the country. There was one time in middle school I was suppose to travel to Mexico for a church mission trip but things fell through I didn't end up going. But I have just never had enough money to travel internationally. But I really want to. It is my dream to visit Ireland, Greece, Australlia and Costa Rica. Those are the four places in the world I really want to see! I don't know how or when I will see those places, but I am going to make it happen because I have a desire to travel and see the world!