In the beginning...

About 15 years ago, on my first trip out of North America, I bought a small paperback journal. The title of that fine - yet flimsy - volume was, "A Solitary Vagabond." I didn't name it; it came that way from the publisher (along with a cover-photo of a man strolling away from the camera down a deserted railway to destination uknown). That image always makes me smile. The unknown is where the adventure is and adventure comes in so many unexpected forms. I like unexpected adventure.

That was Kumi, South Korea. It was 1991 and I had just finished my first journal ever. Since then, I've written volumes upon volumes - volumes that you'll likely never read (unless you're really really nice, make me plenty of yummie cookies, ask patiently and often, and bear my children... then perhaps there's a chance).

And yet, in preparing for this trip - I realize that I have far too many people wondering how things are going to pan out as I venture south to Guatemala and Costa Rica to study Spanish and dive into exploring the countries and culture. So, instead of neglecting some/all of you and your interests in my quest (I simply won't have time to email you all individually) - I'm planning to do a some public journaling (a.k.a. blogging). I realize that my ramblings may not interest you at all - and that's completely fine (on occasion, they might not interest me either!).

And there is one of the wonders of the internet: You don't have to be here... You have over 108 million other options to pick from if my run-on sentences don't engage you. So... come, read, comment, and email me at will. I'm happy to share with anyone who cares to visit.