Crazy things happen when you look in the mirror. Signs of aging have differing effects on each of us. For me it was a sobering realization that time was moving on. It wasn't a midlife crisis, just a gentle nudge telling me to do some things now before I am unable to do them later. We are conditioned to live life in the proper way. Go to school, get a job, raise a family, work until 65, retire. Then do those things you always wanted to do but never had the time. Never really understood why we do this! I know it is the safe path and relatively easier way to go, but it leads to stagnation. At least that is the way it is with me. My life had become such a routine. I had got down to the fine art of routine. Monday clothes, Tuesday clothes......... Everything ordered in a specific way from when I got up to when I went to bed.

Now it has all changed and it scares the hell out of me. It is 3 weeks until I leave on this journey. The last 3 weeks have been very busy trying to get my life in order, so my girls can continue on without interruption. The quiet times in the morning lend time for a little reflection. What the hell kind of idiot are you to give up a good paying job and head out to far away places for what? Leave your family to worry about you and your friends to wonder if you have lost your mind. The truth! I wonder myself in these quiet moments if I should be doing this, but I don't like what I had become and need to change. My life had become so boring and mundane. I really needed to force myself to become excited about life again.

This all started back in the 80's when I had nothing better to do but to travel. Single and carefree with no fear. Always wanted to go to Mongolia. Why I have no idea, but it was exotic and a place not on everyone else's list. This journey started with Mongolia on my mind and exploded into what it is today. So on May 24 I leave for Rome with my daughter Katelyn. We will backpack through Eastern Europe and eventually arrive in Finland in late July. Katelyn will fly West to home to begin her accounting career and I will go East into Russia. Again single and kinda carefree with excited anticipation and yes a little fear of the unknown.

I will try to keep this travel journal up to date, so you can follow along if you like. Be kind to each other and I will see you again when I return.........