with gratitude + our top 5
moments of 2015

It is never something we take for granted, the ability to travel. It is a gift, one that we have decided is important enough to do whatever it takes to stay on the road - or in the air - or in the water. We see travel deals; we say, "Let's go. We'll figure out the specifics later." We don't see deals but our next adventure;
we  say, "Let's go. We'll figure out how to pay for it later." 
The "later" has always produced the needed answers, so we keep going.
And we are blessed.
We've learned much about ourselves as a couple, as individuals, as Baby Boomers this past year. As a couple of only 7 years, it's thrilling to see how many of the same things pull our trigger, light our fire! Needless to say, there are plenty of exploits where I bow out, simply because I choose not to be in a full body cast (i.e. evil jet skis, ominous scuba diving). That's OK. Someone has to take the photographs, right?  As individuals, we've learned just how accomplished and capable we are and how similar our life story is to those we encounter, plus at the same time, how different each story plays out. Learning from other cultures, sharing in the joy, accomplishments and struggles of others makes us look at our world differently - with greater reverence and tolerance. As Baby Boomers, we realize that time is short, and we've got to make the most of it.
There may not be a next time, a tomorrow.
Taking that zip line ride NOW as opposed to waiting - a noble attitude.

With that in mind, here's what we consider the best of everything during what we believe is our best year of travel to date - 2015.

top 5 moments of 2015

#5:  America by Train

It has been on my bucket list forever, and in 2015, I made it a reality. Train travel. Albeit short, it was one of the best parts of our road trip west. I've ridden the midnight train from Rome to Paris, taken Marta from Decatur to downtown Atlanta for the Braves game, but the romance of the wide-open spaces, a dining car with white linens and my very own sleeper car sparked curiosity and optimism in myself that I've haven't found anywhere else. I will hold onto that as I plan my 2016 jaunts. I will look for more of the same.

#4: The potter, Robert Alewine

Meeting unique people during our coverage of locations is what keeps us motivated and intrigued. Many weekends took us to east Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains, specifically Gatlinburg. A  treasure we uncovered, Robert Alewine at Alewine Pottery. His artistic work of mugs and bowls is inspiring, but it's his love of family, of the mountains, of his community that left us with an amazing story.

#3: Bossier's  Duc Duong

Duc Duong (right) has been in America nine years. As a political refugee from Vietnam, he settled in southern Louisiana and learned the shrimping business. Katrina hit. He moved to Port Arthur, Texas. Two weeks later, Rita hit. He had to find a new city - one that was inland and to the north. Today, in a strip mall in Bossier City, LA., you'll find Kim's Seafood where the Duong family's "Asian Cajun" food attracts lovers of fresh crawfish and crawfish po' boys, some say the best this side of New Orleans. You can get adventurous and try the alligator. Serving 800 pounds of crawfish daily, Duong will even provide a lesson in peeling the fresh crustacean. Each year, he hosts a party for hurricane evacuees who settled in Shreveport area, celebrating their second chance.

#2: Portland Harbor Light, Maine

It looked like we had always imagined - a light penetrating the fog, guiding the mariners away from peril. With more than 60 lighthouses dotting the coastline of Maine, you'll discover your favorite that will leave you in awe.
#1: THE GRAND CANYON
In May, we arrived at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on The Grand Canyon Railway and were greeted with torrents of rain. We couldn't believe that we were finally here, and the rain was going to get in the way. The rain and fog was a thick as mud when we boarded our bus for the initial tour;  just as if God heard our cries, at the first stop, the rain stopped, the clouds parted and allowed us our first glimpse of what would redefine the word beauty in our vocabulary. No words. No photos. No phrases could adequately describe what both of us had spent a lifetime of viewing images on TV and in magazines. Before our eyes, glory and majesty. Unspoiled grandeur unlike anything we had ever seen. I remember inhaling, then exhaling with force, for everything I had known up to this point was simply, well, fake. This is how I would judge everything from now on. The only advice from us, just go. Don't wait. Go and be amazed like you've never been amazed before. Then, come home and tell your story.
When we travel and return home, we discuss where we have been and what we have seen. Never have we been disappointed or regretful. Things don't always go smoothly, but when do they ever, really? We expect the same discussions to take place in 2016, for we have destinations to discover, history to make. We'd be honored if you'd follow along, so that some time in the near future, you'll find yourself in our shoes - in discovery, making history.
With gratitude, Seeing Southern (Judy and Len)