Apparently, I have some gaps...

I've taken my share of dream trips in the States. The best was the summer we spent in Colorado. I've got some wonderful memories from that vacation, including the very first time I donned waders and went fly fishing. I spent the whole time in the water trying halfheartedly to cast my line. Still, it was a gorgeous summer day in Aspen and what I remember most was how freezing cold that water was. In August! What I remember best was how charmed my young son was working with his guide and trying hard to learn to fly fish.

One of the trips I've always dreamed of taking is to follow Interstate 94 as it winds its way from its origin in Michigan to where it terminates in Billings, Montana. That trip alone would not only allow me to see some amazing sites, but also knock another 4 states off my list. Believe me, if I ever make that trek, I'm stopping at the place they make Mountain Colors yarn. Big surprise there.

Some of the places I've marked, I've spent only a short amount of time. For instance, I've been to Des Moines, Iowa, but only by plane. That trip is indelibly imprinted in my mind. Traveling with a 3 year old, we were diverted to Iowa and held prisoner on the tarmac for several hours because Chicago was socked in with snow. We had no food, no drink and a very cranky child to deal with. United Airlines would not allow us to disembark. By the time we reached Chicago in the middle of the night, no flights were leaving and we spent several more hours at Ohare airport with hundreds of other stranded travelers. What a wretched travel memory. So yeah, while I don't hold it against Iowa, I am going to count it in here. Been there, done that.


visited 32 states (64%)
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Though my husband has been to Alaska, I have not. He has powerful memories of a trip to Fairbanks to visit family when he was just seven years old. What stood out the most was being awakened in his hotel room by the National Guard and being evacuated because of a devastating flood--he recalls the water being nearly level with his bed. The second the thing that stood out is that he loved the MREs (Meal, Ready to Eat military rations). Leave it to a little boy to be charmed by heroes in what was a terrible situation. He regrets he has no pictures of that time, but I think the ones in his mind serve him well enough and will likely be there forever.

I bring that up because over dinner last weekend, we decided we are going to take an Alaskan cruise for our 25th wedding anniversary next year. We have a year and a half to book (and figure out how to pay for it), but the planning is half the fun.

Can you guess what I'll shop for when I get there?