In this episode, I explain why travel has been a priority to me since separation and how it has impacted my relationship with my daughter, Lanie.   I share my motivation and rationale for trips that my daughter we  went on in 2019 and 2020.  Also, I encourage you to consider sharing travel experiences with your child(ren).

If you thought this was going to be an episode of me glamorizing galavanting around the country with my daughter in the first year after my divorce, you'd be wrong.  I begin by talking about how I tacked Lanie onto a work trip to Chicago before we had even moved out of our house. 

• On Day1 we shopped the Miracle Mile, rode the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier, ate at Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinders in Lincoln Park
• On Day2 we went to the Hancock Building and hung out at their observation deck, did Tilt and sky deck at Willis Tower, saw the Bean, ate Stan's donuts, Garret's popcorn, rode the L
• On Day 3 we hung out with my boss and co-workers.  We ate a fancy brunch at Maple and Ash, and went to Soho House.

Our 2nd trip together, was in June 2020 to Seaside, FL.  We went on this trip to escape our apartment.

• We relaxed at the beach, went to the Great Southern, Bud & Ally's, and Modica Market.
• We found our rhythm of how we travel together as a pair... I get up early to walk and explore, we eat and adventure during the day, we call it a night pretty early.

Our third trip of 2020 was in late July/early August to Colorado.  We took this trip to continue with tradition and to avoid a massive water leak in our apartment. We had already  packed to move into our townhouse.   

• We started by staying a couple of nights at Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs.  It was a beautiful spot.  We went to Garden of the Gods, and explored the area.  We ate at Urban Egg, Denver Biscuit Co. , and Dos Santos Tacos. I met a Bumble date I had been talking to while we were there. 
• The drive from Colorado Springs to Vail was incredibly beautiful and we had never done that before.
• In Vail, we stayed at Lions Head. We rode the gondola up to the top of Vail Mountain and did the mountain coaster.  I hiked down by myself.
• We went river rafting and horseback riding. We ate at  Blue Moose Pizza, La Nonna, Fall Line, and Vintage Vail.

Our fourth trip of 2020 was in early November.  This was Lanie's dream come true. We flew to San Francisco and drove the wondrous Hwy1 down to Los Angelos.

• On Day 1 we explored San Francisco. We ate at Boudin at Fisherman's Wharf, went to Ghiradelli Square, drove Lombard St, saw the Full House house, drove the Golden Gate Bridge, and stayed the night in Half Moon Bay.
• On Day 2, we had lunch at La Bicyclette at Carmel-By-The-Sea, drove 17 mile drive, and stayed in Monterey. We stopped at all of the beautiful spots, including Spanish Bay, Lone Cypress, and Pebble Beach.  We even had a snack and drink at the Pebble Beach Lodge.
• On Day 3, we drove directly to the Bixby Bridge and followed the incredible twisty-turns drive through the redwoods down the coast of Big Sur. We stopped in Paso Robles in beautiful wine country and landed at the famous Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo.
• On Day 4, we drove further south to Santa Barbara, ate In and Out in Ventura, and fell in love in Manhattan Beach. Lanie did schoolwork while  I met a Bumble date I had been talking to for months!

I encourage you to consider some sort of travel with your children.  It has been an incredible way for Lanie and I to bond and to share experiences.  

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