Southern Roots and Wanderlust Wings

Welcome to my blog—eight months in the making. Time has a way of sprinting past us, but as they say, better late than never. And funny enough, this wasn’t supposed to be my inaugural post. I fully intended to kick things off with my solo hike along the Cotswold Way in England (don’t worry, that one’s still coming). But with social media overflowing with videos of overseas visitors experiencing America for the FIFA World Cup, I felt compelled to pivot.

Like so many Americans, I’ve been inspired, tickled, amused, entertained, and absolutely joy‑ridden watching Scots, Brits, Norwegians, Australians, Japanese—people from everywhere—having the time of their lives discovering America for the first time. And as I compare their wide‑eyed delight to my own experiences traveling through Europe, I can’t help but think: sometimes the grass is greener on the other side…of the ocean, that is.

We live with Buc‑ee’s, Walmart, Waffle House, and all the other everyday American staples. But our foreign friends? They’ve been treating these places like we treat the Acropolis, the Eiffel Tower, or Westminster Abbey. And it hits home just how universal the magic of travel is. No matter where you’re from, travel is about stepping into a new culture and experiencing things for the very first time. For a visitor from Scotland, that might mean watching baseball at Fenway Park with a hot dog and a beer. For someone like me, it’s sitting in an English pub with a pint and fish & chips while locals cheer on their favorite football team.

What’s amazed so many of us is the sheer, unfiltered joy these visitors have shown. It’s a reminder that travel works best when you show up open‑hearted and ready to embrace a new place and its people. For me, that’s meant trying native food like haggis in Scotland, Guinness in Ireland, escargot in France, wine in Italy, schnitzel in Germany, gløgg and æbleskiver in Denmark, gyros in Greece, and—of course—fish & chips in England. It’s seeing the famous landmarks, yes (you can see I like those in my photos), but also wandering into the hidden corners only locals know about.

I was a late bloomer when it comes to European travel—my first trip wasn’t until my early 40s. I’ve been more fortunate than some and not as well‑traveled as others, but I can honestly say I’ve had some incredible experiences: climbing to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa; standing beneath the Eiffel Tower and cruising the River Seine; walking across Tower Bridge in London; marveling at Michelangelo’s David in Florence; exploring Edinburgh Castle; strolling through Nyhavn in Copenhagen; exploring the history of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin; getting lost in the beauty of the charming streets of Mykonos; and standing solemnly in front of the Berlin Wall. And let’s not forget that solo hike through the English countryside on the Cotswold Way—more on that soon.

But beyond the sights and the food, my favorite part of traveling abroad is meeting people and having those memorable, unexpected interactions. It’s asking questions and learning about their culture. It’s attempting (poorly!) to speak their language and being grateful when they speak mine. It’s being curious, not judgmental—thank you, Ted Lasso.

I think about the vineyard owner in Tuscany who gave us a private tour even though they were closed for an event. The cab driver in Edinburgh who taught us about Scottish food and even the Scottish language. The strangers in Athens who rushed to help me when I fell and scraped up my leg. And countless other moments too plentiful to list.

Recently, I came across a saying that perfectly captured how I feel about travel. The gist was this: the vacation version of you—the one who walks everywhere, tries new foods, talks to strangers, eats dinner at 10 p.m., and stays up way past your usual bedtime—that’s not a different person. That’s you without the stress, responsibilities, and routines. That’s who you’re meant to be. And that’s worth thinking about, because life is short.

So, let’s wander, my friends. Explore the world. And remember: sometimes the grass is greener across the ocean.