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“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
What started out as a High School romance, grew into a lifetime of experiences, love and friendship.
Erica and I were married in 2004 after dating for five years. We were best friends who fell in love and were quick to realize that there was nobody else in the world that we’d rather grow old with. Before we had gotten married, neither one of us had a passport. Our only experiences outside of the U.S. consisted of walking into Mexico for the afternoon. Our desire to see the world had always been present, however, it was not truly realized until the promise of going to Barbados for our honeymoon was fulfilled. It was then that the wanderlust took over.
Eww, I never realized exactly how sappy we are until writing the above text. Lets move on.
Erica and I and moved to Austin in 1996 and 1997 respectively. The city engulfed us and instantly became our home. The people are some of the nicest and most attractive/fit in the country. Local businesses are so widely supported that they often chase away the national chains and help ‘keep Austin weird’. Austin is very dog-friendly and is a great place to raise a family (which in our case consists of our rescue mutt, Barrel, and our ferrets Jinx and Delilah).
When not dreaming of our future adventures, we spend much of our free time watching movies, playing with our rambunctious pets, doing photography work, playing video games, eating good food, and discussing life with friends.
We are currently planning on leaving the country to Central/South America in late March/early April.
erica, i am so proud of you. also, so in AWE of you! keep going, because you will realize your dreams. i have faith in you!
Thank you Ali! I’m trying super hard. I think we’re going to go sometime this winter come Hell or high water so I’m trying to make this last as long as we can – and I’m having a blast meeting other travelers as well.
Thank you so much for you support. Joel and you mean the world to me.
I love your Mark Twain quote. You’ve been bitten by the bug. It’s the best bug bite you’ll ever receive. I’m looking forward to reading about your future adventures.
Austin is a really cool city. Not at all what I expected from Texas but I’m sure you hear that a lot!
I am so spoiled living in Austin. To keep appreciating how wonderful my home is I need to also go away.
I didn’t realize you guys lived in Austin! So do I
It’s definitely a good place to call home base, except for the fact that it takes so long to get overseas from Texas!
I love my home! We have visited our fair share of cities and nothing in this world compares to my love for Austin. We should grab a beer sometime!
Yes, I would love to!!! Email me — emily [at] maiden-voyage-travel [dot] com
That Mark Twain quote is always amazing. No matter how many times I read it, I just love seeing it. It rings so true. How long do you plan on going to South/Central America for?
Well, it really depends on a few things lol. We’re shooting for at least 6 months. If we are allowed more time then we will probably stay until we reach our last penny.
That sounds awesome! Maybe with the money saved it will stretch on even further! That seriously sounds awesome!
We’ll see how much we have at the end of the year and if Shaun’s job will give him sabbatical or not.
Just came across your blog via Twitter. Nice one. Haven’t read it all yet, but really enjoyed so far. I love that Mark Twain quote too. It’s what I try to live by as I get older and older!!!
I have a question – how do you reconcile having pets with travelling? I have managed in the past (friends, family and an excellent kennels- I have one dog now), but next year, when I would like to do a long trip I’m stumped. Any tips?
Thanks for stopping by!
As for the pet thing, we’ve decided not to take on any more fur-kids since it is so incredibly hard to find someone to take care of them when we’re gone. Since we’re leaving for 6 months, I don’t think its appropriate to ask for the animals back when we get back (but if they want to hand them over we will gladly take them). We’re lucky right now. We live with Shaun’s sister and she has a dog that our dog has fallen in love with. We don’t dare separate them so she volunteered to take him on. As for the ferrets… well, we’re still out on that one. I love them so much but not many people are too keen on their musky smell.
I would suggest asking a family member with another dog that your dog gets along with? People are more likely to take on pets if they have them.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. It’s a hard one, isn’t it! It’s a dichotomy that most of the travellers I know are also the people who love animals the most! Perhaps there should be a worldwide network of petsitters or something!
It is so hard sometimes. Shaun and I do not want kids (at the moment) and for all intensive purposes they are our children/companions. I wish it was easier to take dogs with us but it breaks my heart to think of the quarantine process trying to get him back into the states.
A network like that would be AMAZING!
You two are so sweet! I hope you guys many more wonderful travels together! My boyfriend and I met while traveling in India and we haven’t left each other’s side ever since! The world is so much more interesting and magical when you get to share it with the person you love. Good luck in South America!
@Connie: Thank you! How fantastic to meet someone while abroad! At least you knew at that point you had the same priorities. I know so many people where one person wants to roam and the other wants to stay home. Thank you for stopping by!
Great blog!
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You guys seem really cool! Would love to meet up someday for coffee!
My boyfriend and I met while traveling in New Zealand. He’s from England and I’m from Canada, and we planning to travel the world together as well! Isn’t it wonderful to meet someone with a similar passion who you can share your travel adventures with?
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@Kelly: I count my blessings every day that I have Shaun that carries the same passion for travel as I do.
I would *LOVE* to meet up for coffee one day… or beer… preferably beer but I’ll take coffee.
You pointed out one of the most essential things couples should do together: play video games! I’m a bit biased since I’m a gamer myself. So what games are you two crazy about? I do love the fact that you guys went from no passport to sailing the high seas together. I firmly believe that your full appreciation of a certain place depends on the person you are with. So go ahead, you two. Enjoy life together, and experience what lies ahead.
@Rod: Thank you for your kind words Rod! You are too sweet! We used to be hardcore World of Warcraft gamers (ooh nerd alert!) in a top 100 guild and if we weren’t playing together, I don’t think we would have lasted this long together lol! Our house used to be full of people playing Mario Party and Mario Kart as well. I’m glad to have found someone that shares my similar interests and is willing to take the plunge into the unknown.
hope your dream of travelling had already came true Erika. Can’t wait to read your adventures. I’m envious you and your husband has plenty of things to do together. You two are lucky to have many things in common. Enjoy the your travels.
Hi!
Just came across your blog and wanted to say that it’s awesome that you guys are travelling the world. Love the Photo Friday pics!
My boyfriend and I are headed to Central/South America next month to travel indefinitely so I’ll be checking out your blog for some tips on how to travel through the region and how to travel as a couple
Your site is super cute by the way!
Safe travels!
alex
-LAbackpackerChick
WanderlustandtheGirl.com
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@LA: Thank you! Please feel free to email me if you have any questions whatsoever. I’m super happy to help out.