A simple review of a downright lovely read

I've just returned from a long weekend visiting the fam in Carmel. It was nice to be able to catch up with everyone and spend some time with the people who are most like me in this world. I even got to catch up with a close friend I haven't seen in years. Getting to see someone you have such good chemistry with is like putting on your favorite sweater, you've worn it in enough that it just fits perfectly in all the right places, it's comfortable, maybe a little worn from all the love, and you pick up right where you left off. With the two of us girls that was laughing; I'm sure of it.

While I was home enjoying the gorgeous weather I finished my book, Honeymoon with my Brother by Franz Wisner. A true story about Franz being left at the alter and how he copes with the abrupt ending of the ten year relationship by going on his honeymoon with his brother. The honeymoon carries on into a 2 year trip around the world to 53 countries and follows the two brothers on their adventures while rekindling their previously distant relationship.

While its not a deep read, its a very interesting story following this man through a personal tragedy that I can imagine would be difficult to recover from for anybody. The book leaves one inspired to travel, discover oneself and cautious to settle down without going on a few challenging soul searching trips first. I found myself easily becoming jealous of these 2 men for their sense of adventure and willingness to drop everything they had worked for and just leave. I don't consider myself too attached to material things but I think too much to be able to just go, leaving everything behind and not think about the consequences of it all.

I've spent my life planning all the things I needed to accomplish with my education that I've left little time to be able to explore the world and all the beautiful things in it. I suppose I could look at is as I'm just taking a side journey first before allowing myself the freedom to travel but I know that once I'm out of school the responsibilities will just keep mounting. Someday...

I think that's precisely why I find books like this so intriguing. It's no secret that being able to afford to travel the world (both financially and merely having the time to spare) is a pretty incredible feat; something not many people are able to do in their lifetime. So when one finds a person who has been able to conquer thinking in the now, and has so little to tie them down therefore leaving them with the opportunity to discover the small corners of the world; well, its a story worth telling, and one worth reliving over and over in the pages of this book.

Mr. Wisner wrote a sequel to his story called How the World Makes Love, it's the next in line for me. I'm hoping to find it to be the male equivalent to Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert that I read last month. I'm hoping to find a male perspective in these pages that debate the same issues Ms. Gilbert was with her very female point of view. Sometimes the boys just need a chance to speak for themselves, hopefully he brings up some interesting questions for me. Let's see what he has to say, shall we?

Anyone else read these books? Or similar ones they would like to recommend?

On the road again

I grew up in one of those families that traveled but not like your "typical" American family travels. We don't camp, I've never been on a cruise, never seen Hawaii or Vegas, we don't usually stay in those fancy hotels and I didn't see Yosemite until a year ago and I've lived in Northern California my whole life. When I go with the fam somewhere we rent a house or something comparable and really try to live like the locals, to get the whole experience. Those are some great memories of traveling in the world but i feel like I haven't gotten to see much of the United States which is something I kind of feel a wee bit cheated out of. I have always wanted to travel up and down the east coast and see the seasons change, I would like to see Washington DC, and Hawaii, the red rocks of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah, the sky in Colorado and Montana, New Orleans, Portland, the coast of Maine and the islands off of South Carolina.

The boy on the other hand has been to Hawaii, gone to Vegas 7 times, traveled and lived all over the east coast/midwest and has participated quite heavily in the commercial travel industry.

So when he asked me what I wanted to do for Valentines day after I made my puke face and made my same this time of year statement about how I despise Valentines day, I looked him in the eye and said "go somewhere, like Sequioa National Forest and see General Sherman." General Sherman is the giant Sequioa that is the largest and oldest tree (they think its about 2700 years old) known and I've always wanted to see it. After some discussion about what to do and where to go we decided to take a road trip to the Grand Canyon with a stop through in Las Vegas.

Neither of us have ever seen the Grand Canyon, and we're meeting friends in Vegas for a night. I'm very excited about it, and I get to plan the whole thing. The problem is I know nothing about Las Vegas or the Gand Canyon in regards to what to do and where to stay and what to see. I'm sure the boy has Vegas covered on where to stay, but I'm afraid that because he's seen everything there a million times he'll be jaded and I'll want to see EVERYTHING and take it all in.

So does anyone have any reccommendations on what to do and what to see in Las Vegas for a beginner? The things you are glad you got to see and would never want to have missed out on? I'm not much of a gambler, I'd rather spend my money on other things than paying the casino's electricity bill, so keep that in mind.

And has anyone ever been to the Grand Canyon and have any experiences they'd like to share?

I would love input, as I begin the planning process with a blank slate and not a clue as to where to begin. I'd surely appreciate it.

Have a lovely day!