Traveling Through The Years

Yeah, Another Blogger

I’m not exactly sure when the urge to travel first hit me, but a good guess would be 1969. In the summer of that year, soon after graduating from college, I bumped into a childhood friend, Mike, whom I hadn’t seen in a long, long while. That encounter took place inside a restaurant in Roslyn, the Long Island town he and I had grown up in and to which we had returned when our collegiate careers reached their conclusions (Long Island is near New York City).

Mike and I immediately hit it off at the restaurant, to the extent that he asked me if I’d be interested in joining him on a road trip to Canada, which he was eager to embark on. With no employment plans, or any kind of plans in place, I said yes. Off we went, then, maybe a couple of weeks later, in Mike’s bright red Ford Mustang convertible. Our journey lasted for two weeks or so, I think. We got as far north as Canada’s Gaspé Peninsula, where we began the southward drive back to the States. Mike and I had a blast throughout our expedition. We’ve palled around regularly ever since that time, partly because, as fate would have it, we ended up living not far from each other in Pennsylvania, the state each of us moved to a few years after our Canadian journey. We remain Pennsylvanians and close friends.

Having been bitten by the travel bug, and still uncertain about what to do with my life employment-wise, I scratched the bug by exploring many states of the USA on two separate month-long occasions during the early 1970s. And in 1977, right before beginning what would become a lengthy career in government, I wandered through Europe for six weeks, accompanied by a backpack. With little money to my name — I specialized in low-paying, short-term jobs for a bunch of years — it’s somewhat amazing that I pulled off those three trips. These days, it probably would be next to impossible.

Yours truly on Kala Patthar in Nepal. Mount Everest is the tallest of the peaks behind me.
(November 19, 1982)

Well, I’ve maintained a pretty active travel schedule since then, spending significant amounts of time on foreign shores and also in a selection of American states. The most astonishing adventure I’ve ever had was a three-week hike, in 1982, through the Himalayas in Nepal. Sticking strictly to terrains on which mountaineering equipment (ropes, ice axes, etc.) was not needed, I and a couple more members of my small trekking group ultimately reached Kala Patthar. KP is an approximately 18,500-foot-high ridge almost within spitting distance of the world’s tallest structure, Mount Everest, whose tippy top is 29,032 feet above sea level. On Kala Patthar, with Everest and other monstrously elevated peaks staring me smack in the face, my mind was totally blown. I’d never experienced anything that majestic before, and haven’t equaled or topped it since. And there’s virtually no chance I will.

My wife Sandy wasn’t with me in Nepal, due to the irrefutable fact that we didn’t meet until 1990. But we’ve logged plenty of miles together since becoming a couple, both in the States and abroad. Many of those miles have been on Cape Cod, a 65-mile-long Massachusetts peninsula. I’ve written ad nauseum about the Cape in this publication, another irrefutable fact. That’s because Sandy and I have developed an intimate relationship with Cape Cod, something we never anticipated would happen with any travel destination. Cape Cod is blessed with unusually beautiful coastlines, tons of restaurants and a good arts scene, and it emits welcoming vibes. It is our soul mate. We have vacationed on the Cape almost annually since discovering it in 1998.

Sandy and I travelled quite a lot in 2025. Totally domestically, as all five of our destinations, which included Cape Cod and Maui, are parts of the States. Where might we find ourselves in 2026? Cape Cod is on the agenda once again. Beyond that, we don’t know. Getting to, and back home from, vacation spots wear us out more than it used to. Last year’s trips proved that to us emphatically. So, we shall see.

I’ll say this, though: Somewhere down the line it would be cool to return to Italy, where Sandy and I explored Venice, Florence and Rome in 2011. We’d like to see more of Italy, the Naples/Pompeii region, for instance.

And we would be thrilled to poke around any number of lands we never have set foot in. Spain is on that list, as is Portugal and Morocco and . . .

141 thoughts on “Traveling Through The Years”

  1. petespringer's avatar petespringer February 10, 2026 / 12:35 am

    Some of those times in our youth, when we had no money and few responsibilities, were fun as we explored different places and saw the world in a whole new light.

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  2. gabychops's avatar gabychops February 10, 2026 / 12:54 am

    Thank you, Neil, for the fascinating travelogue adventures, in particular the Himalayas, as I always wanted to walk in the wild forest located in India. I always loved your writing about Cape Cod, but your plans to travel as far as Spain, Italy and other countries could bring you to the edge of the world, and next stop would have to be the Moon! Oh, to be young again…

    Joanna

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      • gabychops's avatar gabychops February 11, 2026 / 1:22 am

        I think you are right, Neil, there is nothing as wonderful as our planet!

        Joanna

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  3. Lynette d'Arty-Cross's avatar Lynette d'Arty-Cross February 10, 2026 / 1:19 am

    My M did a similar thing and travelled around Europe for a year, hitchhiking and living on next to nothing (I joined the military not to travel but to put myself through uni; I do love travel and have done a lot of it, though). We still love to travel but are also slowing down a bit. Takes longer to recover and also takes longer to explore, too. I could easily visit Pompeii again. Thanks for sharing the picture of young Neil. Cheers.

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger February 10, 2026 / 11:06 pm

      You know, for some reason I hadn’t realized that the photo of me and Everest is in my Nepal photo album. When I saw it there a few days ago, I was amazed and glad.

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  4. Paddy Tobin's avatar Paddy Tobin February 10, 2026 / 2:05 am

    Wonderful experiences and exciting plans and often there is great enjoyment in the anticipation of future travels.

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  5. Emma's avatar Emma February 10, 2026 / 2:24 am

    Oh, what lovely adventures you have stacked up!

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  7. swabby429's avatar swabby429 February 10, 2026 / 6:16 am

    I can only aspire to visiting a fraction of as many places that you have seen. I hope you continue your journeys.

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  8. Deb's avatar Deb February 10, 2026 / 6:48 am

    Envious of those adventures back in the 70’s Neil. I always dreamed of just “going” with no major plans. That would have been living the dream, literally! I hope you and Sandy can continue your journeys for some time…

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  9. The Introverted Bookworm's avatar The Introverted Bookworm February 10, 2026 / 6:59 am

    Wow, loved hearing about your adventures! I’ve always dreamed of travelling, especially to the Himalayas. I think it’s really good for the mind and soul.

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  10. richardbist's avatar richardbist February 10, 2026 / 7:03 am

    That’s really wonderful that you were able to travel so much and so far afield. I think it was easier to do back then. I’m a few years your junior, but I logged quite a few air miles back in the 70s and 80s, traveled all over the eastern US, England, and even down to Mexico.

    I hope you and your wife continue your adventures.

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  11. WanderingCanadians's avatar WanderingCanadians February 10, 2026 / 7:05 am

    Funny how life just seems to work out sometimes and interesting to hear how your love of travel first started. We’ve been to Cape Cod a couple of times and I totally get why you keep returning every year. Looking forward to seeing where you end up travelling to in 2026. We’re still figuring out some of our travel plans for the year too.

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  12. Unknown's avatar Joyce Hamilton February 10, 2026 / 7:43 am

    so interesting your trip to Nepal and love your photo! I too have had the travel bug since my grandparents took me to Germany where they were born when l was 16. When l was 20 l lived and traveled in Europe spending 6 months in Switzerland skiing. Had eurilpass traveling all around Europe. My latest travels was Ireland, Iceland, Morocco and favorite Greece. Those trips were with Gate 1 a fantastic travel tour company. Loved Greece especially and also Morocco. Keep on truckin Neal.

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  13. debscarey's avatar debscarey February 10, 2026 / 7:52 am

    Hugely envious of your experience in Nepal. Despite being born & brought up in the Indian subcontinent, I never got near those magical peaks.

    Love hearing about you & your wife’s relationship with Cape Cod. Again, I’ve not visited but you make it sound especially appealing. Maybe one day when things are more stable in the US.

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  15. J P's avatar J P February 10, 2026 / 8:32 am

    That’s an impressive list of destinations! I hope you have many years of travel ahead of you.

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  16. Denise Denton Thiery's avatar Denise Denton Thiery February 10, 2026 / 8:41 am

    I’m envious, since I have only been out of the country twice, and have visited only a handful of states. Happy traveling to you and your wife!

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      • Denise Denton Thiery's avatar Denise Denton Thiery February 10, 2026 / 11:30 pm

        Hmm. Hawaii of course. Alaska. Colorado. I hear the hiking in Utah is beautiful. I married a man with no interest in travel at all, so it’s probably not going to happen.

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  17. Helen Devries's avatar Helen Devries February 10, 2026 / 8:52 am

    You certainly got around! I always regret prioritising work – and thus income – in my younger days……

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger February 10, 2026 / 11:23 pm

      Hi. You’ve had an adventurous life. I know that from the essays you’ve written for your website.

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  18. Unknown's avatar Anonymous February 10, 2026 / 9:24 am

    Great picture. I would love to go there but I’m probably too old for that trip now.

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger February 10, 2026 / 11:24 pm

      Dave, it would be a real, real bad idea for either of us to trek in the Himalayas at this point in our lives!

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger February 10, 2026 / 11:25 pm

      Yeah, it was something else. That trek was the most adventurous thing I’ve ever done, I think.

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  20. Bitchy After 60's avatar Bitchy After 60 February 10, 2026 / 10:24 am

    You really have had some great adventures. I recall you saying that you had been in Halifax, Nova Scotia a long time ago. Was that with Mike and the mustang?

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  21. Jacqui Murray's avatar Jacqui Murray February 10, 2026 / 10:53 am

    I had no idea you traveled so much in the past. I always put it off until I could “afford” it and now, I’m too tired!

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  22. mariezhuikov's avatar mariezhuikov February 10, 2026 / 10:55 am

    Did you experience any altitude sickness on your Nepal trip? It sounds like it was epic! Russ and I recently signed up for the Road Scholar program (previously known as Elderhostel). We plan to take our first trip with them this summer. So nice to have someone else do all the planning and driving! You might want to look into them as an easy way to scratch your travel itch. No, they did not pay me to say that. 🙂

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger February 10, 2026 / 11:30 pm

      Have fun with the Road Scholar trip.
      I didn’t get altitude sickness. One member of my trekking group did, though, and had to be brought down to a lower altitude.

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      • mariezhuikov's avatar mariezhuikov February 11, 2026 / 9:38 am

        You’re lucky that you don’t get altitude sickness! I start feeling it at about 11,000 ft.

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  23. Alyson's avatar Alyson February 10, 2026 / 11:29 am

    Well done you. As you say, I doubt if youngsters nowadays would have the means nowadays to do so much travelling before settling down into a regular job. I have heard however that the majority of people from the US never leave the US or need a passport. Such a big country I suppose that there is always somewhere new to discover.

    Talking of Italy, I’ve decided that this is the year we are going to start having travel adventures whilst we’re still fit enough – so we head to Rome in September then on to Naples, Sorrento and Amalfi. Who knows, we might bump into each other!

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger February 10, 2026 / 11:33 pm

      It’s true — the USA is enormous. There is an overwhelming number of things to see. The national parks alone are numerous, and are incredible.

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  24. Unknown's avatar Anonymous February 10, 2026 / 11:34 am

    You’ve been fortunate in your travel adventures and, especially, in your travel companions.🙂

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  26. Un po' di pepe's avatar Un po' di pepe February 10, 2026 / 1:30 pm

    Nice foto Neil! I have been to Cape Cod once, and I can see why you like it. Hope you make it back to Italia soon! Napoli is one of my favourite cities. Buon Viaggio, Cristina

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  28. Rosaliene Bacchus's avatar Rosaliene Bacchus February 10, 2026 / 1:41 pm

    Your move from Long Island/New York State to Pennsylvania is fascinating in the unexpected nature of an early chapter in your life. Travel does bring joy and new appreciation of our beautiful planet. May you realize your dream this year of setting foot in Spain and adjacent lands.

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  30. Laurie Graves's avatar Laurie Graves February 10, 2026 / 4:00 pm

    Wonderful picture! What a thrill it must have been to pose in a picture with Mount Everest in the background. As for Cape Cod…sounds like your heart’s home.

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger February 10, 2026 / 11:47 pm

      Your description of Cape Cod is right on the money. Sandy and I just love being there.

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  31. Diana L Forsberg's avatar Diana L Forsberg February 10, 2026 / 4:43 pm

    Your travels sound like wonderful memories to have. I have tendency to put things off; so, I recommend not doing that! Book that trip to Italy. 😎

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  32. shoreacres's avatar shoreacres February 10, 2026 / 8:10 pm

    I’ve heard it said there are two ways to travel: we can travel far, or we can travel deep. I’ve done both — far when I was younger, deeper now that I have far less time and money for extended travel. But each has its satisfactions. Your tales of Cape Cod suggest that’s one of your ‘traveling deep’ spots. Whenever I fuss to myself about not being able to travel far as much as I used to, I remind myself of the words of Swiss naturalist Louis Agassiz: “I spent the summer traveling; I got halfway across my back yard.”

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  35. Suzanne's avatar Suzanne February 10, 2026 / 9:52 pm

    Adventurer from way back weren’t you. There is nothing wrong about enjoying spaces close to home and not travelling long distances. As the old saying goes, see your own backyard before venturing to another. Or something like that.

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger February 10, 2026 / 11:55 pm

      I agree. I live very close to Philadelphia, a city that I enjoy a whole, whole lot. I never get tired of Philly, and visit/explore it on a regular basis.

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  36. Debra Schiff's avatar Debra Schiff February 11, 2026 / 11:28 am

    Neil,
    I love the photo! Any thoughts about growing a mustache and beard again? :-}
    We’re so glad we did so much traveling in our “youth.” Stan did several cross-country driving trips before meeting me. It is getting harder and harder to book hotels and worry about plane/train schedules. We’re going back to Maine in May. Not sure where we’re going in ’27.
    Hope you make it somewhere fun in Europe.

    Debra

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger February 11, 2026 / 2:44 pm

      Hi. Both you and Stan have traveled a whole lot in the USA. You’ve seen a lot!
      I hate to shave. Always have. But I won’t grow a beard again. It would make me look even older than I already look!

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  37. talebender's avatar talebender February 11, 2026 / 1:47 pm

    Enjoyed hearing about your travels! If at all possible, visit Pompeii and Herculaneum, two of the most awe-inducing sites I’ve visited.

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  38. Sherri MP's avatar Sherri MP February 11, 2026 / 3:28 pm

    As a travel experience, it’s hard to top (pun intended!) your climb in Nepal. What a special memory! And wishing you more and great future trips

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  39. Paula B's avatar Paula B February 11, 2026 / 7:00 pm

    Such a hardy traveler you have been! My most adventurous trip was a summer-long ’round-the-country trip in an old VW bus, with no plans and almost no money and lots of campground stays. But that pales in comparison to your international hiking. Good for you! I think you can keep travelin,’ as long as you perhaps adjust the duration and frequency of your trips. The important thing is getting out there.

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger February 12, 2026 / 7:29 am

      Morning, Paula. Ah, a VW bus! That must have been a great trip. Life was kind of wide-open back then.

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  40. kegarland's avatar kegarland February 11, 2026 / 7:50 pm

    A few things:

    Look at you, Neil! That’s a great photo.

    I’ve never heard anyone describe a place as their soul mate, but that sounds accurate 😉

    I loved Spain, and I encourage everyone to go there, if they can.

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger February 12, 2026 / 7:33 am

      Morning, Kathy. Spain is high on my list. Great cities, beautiful old towns, delicious food. I hope I get there!

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  41. viviennelingard's avatar viviennelingard February 11, 2026 / 9:24 pm

    I love this post, and the reminiscing over your earlier travel experiences. I especially liked the image of you as a younger man in Nepal 1982. It immediately took me back to my own travels there walking in the foothills of Everest. I am going to write a brief account of my time there in my next post, so thank you for taking me back in time too.

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  42. ortensia's avatar ortensia February 12, 2026 / 2:49 am

    That’s an impressive travel past and here is a toast to much more travel to come your way. No matter how far and how long traveling and discovering new reality is always the best way to spend time and money, then it comes reading quietly with a cup of coffe and some cakes😉

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  43. Yvonne Beumkes's avatar Yvonne Beumkes February 12, 2026 / 3:23 am

    Great photo Neil. That must have been a tremendous adventure. I have had the opportunity of visiting Italy a few times. It is a magnificent country. If you do go, let me recommend Urbino, Sabbonieta (magnificent theatre), Parma (another magnificent theatre), Mantua, and of course Padua (Giotto). Happy travelling. And finally, have a great time in the captivating Cape Cod.

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger February 12, 2026 / 7:38 am

      Afternoon, Yvonne. Thanks for the recommendations. I haven’t even heard of a couple of the places you mention. Italy is amazing!

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  44. Image Earth Travel's avatar Image Earth Travel February 12, 2026 / 6:33 am

    Ha, ha, it sounds as though the travel bug bit you in your younger years, Neil, as it did to me…very dangerous. 😉

    If you do return to Italy, head down to Calabria as it’s less-traversed than the tourist milk-run. Even Naples is fast becoming overrun. Let me know if you need any travel tips on Italy, as after living there for 4 years, I’ve published over 80 travel guides about Italy, with most about the south. 😉

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  45. ourcrossings's avatar ourcrossings February 12, 2026 / 12:02 pm

    This is such a wonderful post. I very much loved reading about your adventures back in the day, especially around Nepal. Getting “bitten by the travel bug” and developing an intense, insatiable desire to explore new places, cultures, and experiences is one of the best things ever. Wishing you many more travels, smooth journeys, and unforgettable experiences. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx

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  46. Michele E. Reisinger's avatar Michele E. Reisinger February 13, 2026 / 10:30 am

    I do love travelling vicariously through other people’s adventures! Thanks for sharing yours. I love the image of you and your friend exploring in a red Mustang. That seems somehow perfect 🙂 Safe and happy travels to you and Sandy in 2026.

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger February 13, 2026 / 12:10 pm

      Hi, Michele. He still has that Mustang, believe it or not. He almost never drives it, though.

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  47. shane harrison's avatar shane harrison February 13, 2026 / 11:20 am

    Happy trails, Neil. Go where the road takes you. Spain and Portugal are particularly good. Andalusia in southern Spain is full of beauty and interest and handy for Portugal and Morocco both.

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  48. Geoff Stamper's avatar Geoff Stamper February 13, 2026 / 1:53 pm

    When I saw that picture with Everest in the background, it blew me away. When I read the rest of the story, I realized that you appreciated the significance of that adventure. If I had a photo like that, it would be hanging on my wall!

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger February 13, 2026 / 7:55 pm

      Hi. Yeah, I think about the Himalayan trek now and then. It was the most adventurous and physically challenging thing I’ve ever done.

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  49. roughwighting's avatar roughwighting February 13, 2026 / 3:52 pm

    As a young woman, I liked the IDEA of traveling all over the U.S. and overseas after college, but I admit, I didn’t have the courage. I think it’s harder for a female to feel safe on these journeys – maybe it’s better now. So, my traveling came after I was married and after the kids were raised. My husband traveled a lot for business and I stayed home, but once the last one was in college, I got to go with him to Singapore and Hong Kong and Kauala Lumpur for business, and then on our own many times to England and Switzerland and Italy. But as Cape Cod became your soul place, for us it became Kauai, where we spent three weeks every February for 23 years. Ahh, those hikes and swims and long long walks on deserted beaches. And the whales! And monk seals. And Honu turtles!! Alas, illness has taken traveling away from my guy, and I stick by with him. But those memories keep us warm. I hope you and your woman are able to still quench that traveling thirst.

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger February 13, 2026 / 8:00 pm

      Hi. You’ve seen a lot of the world. And Kauai sounds great. Long walks on deserted beaches are very special experiences. You can really commune with Nature when hardly anyone else is around.

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  50. johnlmalone's avatar johnlmalone February 13, 2026 / 4:14 pm

    what a wonderful life you’ve led and I love that picture of you in Nepal; Cape Cod seems quite a magical place; happy travelling, Neil 🙂

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger February 13, 2026 / 8:03 pm

      I’ve been very fortunate to have had many traveling experiences, nearly all of them good. They’ve meant a lot to me.

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      • johnlmalone's avatar johnlmalone February 13, 2026 / 9:05 pm

        I can tell that, Neil; your posts make very entertaining reading esp the ones featuring your hapless editor 🙂

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