Back in 2020, before the world went into a state of "New Normal," as some people referred to it, we had a vacation that we were looking forward to. My wife and I were looking forward to cruising around the Adriatic and Mediterranean with my parents. It would be a long trip that would include many new places for all of us. However, as we all know, the form of travel that came to a crashing halt first was the cruise industry.

As time dragged on through 2020 and 2021, we all learned new things about ourselves, others, society, video streaming, bread making, and countless other topics. We tried to find an appreciation of being with just our family or spouse/partner and to patiently await those times that we could gather again for cookouts, concerts, celebrations, and the like. But, over time, things began coming back, and the normal we were used to has started to show again. Those who don't want to wear masks aren't told to anymore, and those who continue to are not (hopefully) bothered by others about it. So, we rolled into 2022 hoping that all is starting to ease up.

Just writing that last paragraph made me think of all that has gone on for just our household of two (plus some four-legged inhabitants) over this time. I had my first book published, had work exhibited during the Architectural Biennale in Venice, and said goodbye to my dog. The ups and downs were many and made you realize that though seemingly short, two years is a lot of time.

In those two years, however, this voyage that we were planning was rescheduled, then rescheduled again, and then rescheduled one more time. Finally, as 2021 turned into 2022, we knew that this journey looked to eventually become a reality. The only hitch was that out of the four in our family that were about to embark on this voyage, none remembered the actual departure date. So, when we realized this trip was right around the corner, a frenzy of sorts began.

I usually don't stress about traveling; in fact, it's something that I crave most of the time. However, things can be a little different when one is caught off guard. By the time we were almost a week from leaving, I was hoping something would happen, and we wouldn't be able to go. I know I might sound ungrateful, and trust me, I'm not, but I just didn't think my nerves would be able to handle it. However, I was glad to know that I was dead wrong about all of it.

I wanted to share all of this to arrive at this point, almost two weeks post-return. I haven't been on a trip this rejuvenating and inspiring since my first visit to Italy nearly 24 years ago. We didn't realize, both Cristy and I, how much we actually needed this vacation. It was almost like a reset switch was flipped, and we came back ready to conquer all that we could. We got movement that we needed (like 80+ miles of walking) and have brought that energy back to incorporate it into our daily lives. I got out and photographed pretty much every day, sometimes just by myself. Work has been getting done upon return (this being part of it), and I feel like the malaise of the last two years is finally washing away.

I hope to have images from this adventure up in a gallery on this site within the next few days (Find it in the “Places” gallery). Also, I will be sharing some thoughts about some of the places we went and things more photographic in the next day or so. I talked to some people on our journey that were interested in getting some images and have decided that I'll be putting together a book through Blurb that they, or anyone else who enjoys the photos, can purchase. As always, I am happy to sell prints of some of the images if anyone so desires.

As we are entering the time of year that people are getting out, traveling, and vacationing, I hope that everyone can get out and do the things that help to motivate them and bring them joy. Be sure to relax when you can, but don't forget to take in all that is around you at the same time.