“The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait until that other is ready.”
– Henry David Thoreau
“In five years, will you be more interested in buying nouns or verbs? Will you crave things or experiences?” (Dr. Dan Garvey, Semester at Sea, 2017). When I read those two sentences, I realized that I want to be remembered for buying verbs/experiences – for LIVING – rather than for purchasing a bunch of STUFF that will mean nothing in the end. As I am writing this, I’m listening to John Denver as he sings,
I want to live. I want to grow.
I want to see. I want to know.
I want to share what I can give.
I want to be. I want to live.
This brings me to this blog. I teach middle and high school English. I love my kiddos. I truly do. They make going to work each day an adventure all on its own. Although I do teach the parts of speech ad nauseam, I also encourage them to pick verbs over nouns. This lovely metaphor is something I learned after a tragic time in my own life. I pray that their lives will be spared such tragedies and that they learn early in life to buy verbs in lieu of nouns.
Therefore, I am heading out on another adventure and am choosing to share my summer with them, specifically. In the past few years, my students have heard me talk about visiting Austria, the Czech Republic, England (x3), France, Germany (x4), Hungary (x2), Ireland (x3), Italy, Liechtenstein, Northern Ireland (x2), Slovakia, Switzerland, The Netherlands, The Vatican, Canada (x2), Mexico, and Australia. Last fall, I left my students for over a week to visit Alaska again during the height of the Northern Lights. I am planning a trip later this year to Scotland, the Isle of Man, and Northern Ireland. However, I still have a handful of states in my own country that I have left to visit. While some consider “visiting” a state by setting foot over the boundary line, a layover in an airport, or spending a night, my definition of visiting requires spending quality time experiencing the state’s most important landmarks and getting to know its citizens.
Today, I am preparing for a long, solo road trip. Last week, I bought a used Little Guy T@g camping trailer. This weekend, a hitch will be installed on my Subaru Forester. I have the first ten days planned, but I will plan as I go from there. This makes my parents and my own adult children a bit anxious, but they are all beginning to tolerate my wanderlust spirit and my need to mark additional items off my bucket list.
Please join me in this adventure. I’m unsure how this blog will evolve, but be assured it will be candid and heartfelt.
To my students – I already miss you and will be eager to give y’all lots of squenches when school resumes this fall. Until then, you should hear my voice encouraging you all to CHOOSE JOY and continue your acts of kindness!
Chasing Verbs 
Bon voyage, have fun, and be safe. Dad and I will keep the home fires burning and will anxiously await the tales of your adventures! Love, Mom
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Thank you, Jennifer, for allowing me to follow you on this blog and your latest adventure.
You know I will be with you in spirit every mile of your journey and every visit you make as you travel through each state.
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Recently, my family went to see a Rockies game. While we were coming home, we went through heavy rain and hail along with a tornado warning – meaning a tornado was spotted. This was my chance to take something off of my bucket list, so I searched the sky for any funnels. My brother eventually noticed some swirling clouds and saw a tornado just chilling right behind us. It was amazing, and now I have marked seeing a tornado in person off my bucket list. Thank you for an amazing year, and I can’t wait to keep up with your own adventures. 💜
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Have fun on your trip! I’m gonna follow your blog the whole way, and I’m totally excited to hear about your journey when you return!
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Awesome Jennifer!! Can’t wait to hear all about your trip!! There is NO better way to see the world than driving around! We are planning 3 months to AK & back next summer and are heading to Denver this week to look at our truck camper! Already got some great ideas from your blog post & tour of your tiny home!! Thanks! Stay safe & have a blast!!
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Happy travels!
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Saw a sign the other day saying, ‘Travel – verb (trav-el) – the only thing you buy that makes you richer’. Thought of how wealthy You will have become by the time You take up the rocking chair!
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Jennifer, enjoy your journey’s and thank you for keeping us at Hickman RV posted on your progress, the Little Guy looks awesome!!!
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Dear Optimist, Pessimist, and Realist,
While you guys were busy arguing about my trip, I left. Having a great time!
Sincerely, Jennifer (The Opportunist)
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I wonder if we miss adventures because we move so quickly through our day. We think there is so much to do each day. Makes me glad I do not always stay on task. One of my favorite words is ‘linger’ and all the associated synonyms which belong to such a dawdling word! Just look up the lyrics of the Simon & Garfunkle song “The 58th Street Bridge Song” and you will understand what I am saying. Be dappled today, Y’all
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My best thinking time is before I get out of bed in the morning and before I fall asleep at night – no music, no voices, no interruptions.This may be a few seconds or as much as an hour, depending on my needs to get up and start my day or how tired I am from my busy day. It’s a time for prayer for planning, and just thinking about life in general. It is usually not very innovative, but sometimes problem-solving. “The joy of the Lord is my strength” both day and night. Love, Mom
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