I began traveling in 1973 when I left NW Kansas and drove to Kentucky for college.  I found country, hills, streams, foods, and accents I had never experienced before.  Being on the track team and attending professional conferences, I traveled to many interesting places.  I experienced Memphis, Knoxville, Biloxi, Savannah, Atlanta, Niagra Falls, Thomas Jefferson’s home, and many other places.  That started my travel desire!
It inspired me to want to see more!   I began, learning to backpack in the Smokies, learning and teaching mountaineering skills in the Tetons and Wind River Mountains of Wyoming, seeing the Arizona desert after a spring rain, and experiencing the Western Navajo Fair in Tuba City.  Eventually, I studied with Native American shaman to help people connect with nature and went through a Vision Quest.  I loved teaching but felt stifled by politics so I resigned from a tenure-track teaching position to travel and learn.
I was going to cycle Europe but realized I hadn’t seen my own country.  All non-essentials went into storage and I headed off in my Subaru to explore.  Two intentions guided me.  First, Socrates:  “Wherever you go, there you are”!  I didn’t want to take my old challenges with me, didn’t want to be “running” away from something.  Thus, I focused clearly on what I was moving toward, on what I wanted to learn.  “Who do I want to be when I’m at my best?”…that guided me.  Second, I was intent on learning to teach my students how to learn.  They were great at memorizing which is of limited use.  So, I looked for people and organizations I could interview to learn more about helping people learn how to learn!
And that certainly shifted my life!