Gazing out across the icy waters of the Lake of Heaven, at the snow-capped Bogda Shan Mountain, I was not concerned that I had become separated from my group. Sure, I was 100 km. from Urumqi, the most inland place on earth (farthest from any ocean), but as a seasoned traveler, I knew that eventually I’d find my way. I simply couldn’t pass up a boat trip across Tianchi Lake, after all, that was one of the reasons I was in Xinjiang.
For me, the Silk Road was symbolic of who I was, who I had become.
I never understood people who did not travel. It is something that has been in my blood as long as I can remember. Although now, with the TSA pat-downs, the lost luggage, the missed connections, not to mention trying to fit 3 weeks worth of toiletries into a tiny zip-lock bag, I can understand the desire to simply stay home.
It takes between 12 and 15 hours for me to get to my family in another state. Travel has become increasingly difficult, so, if I’m going somewhere, it better be worth it, as in, overseas.
It all started when I was a child, with weekly trips to Canada’s beaches: Wasaga Beach, Long Beach, Crystal Beach; then the camping trips to the Adirondack Mts., the Allegheny Mts., and Algonquin Park; and the occasional long distance trip to places like Montreal or Florida.
My real travel, however, came as an adult. Summer school at the Jagiellonian University in Poland, a vacation in Hawaii, trips to St. Thomas (Virgin Islands), Las Vegas, and Miami for ballroom dance competitions, and eventually, my first trip to Egypt… all set me on the path I was to take years later…. the path that led me around the world.
In my next set of blogs I will not bore you with my travel tales. After all there are too many travel blogs out there now. I will, however, just give you a sampling of what is out there. It is up to you to find your own way.
Wasaga Beach
Adirondack Mts.
Montreal
Caribbean
Palm Springs
Niagara Falls
Wasaga Beach
Niagara Falls
Wasaga Beach
Crystal Beach , Ontario
Camping in the Adirondack Mts.
My Stories 
Hi Diane!!! This is miraculous!!! Today, in three hours I will be in the airport in my way to …….BEIJING, CHINA again since the trip we met. Do you remember? That sad September 11th but great trip!!
Later I will read this blog, now I have to go, but I just wanted to let you know. I´m going for work. Architectural Digest magazine, AD China, opens its “pages” in that country and want us to go there and learn from our estethic and way of photographing. After Beijing, Shanghai. Two weeks. Hope to see the cherry blossom!!!!!
It was so nice to hear from you!!!
Big hug,
Patricia.
Your travels always have amazed me. I am one of those who am not a “big” travel person. Although I’ve flown, it is not my favorite thing to do.
I also think many never investigate that which is close to them. (your time in Canada, the Adirondacks, etc. are examples of enjoying what is near). I always remember talking to people in WNY that had never visited Niagara Falls. Kind of strange.
As always, I always enjoy your comments and thoughts here.
Diane,
I love your travel blog. It’s beautifully written and beautifully presented, very much you.
KC is the big traveler at the moment. She landed a 2 month advertising gig in Australia and travels every weekend there.
My travels are closer to home. I’m headed to Warms Springs, Oregon next Tuesday to record to bead artists. Then maybe NYC this June.
Back to your blog…
Hi Diane Love your story,reminds me of our trips to chesnut ridge park. Thanks for sharing your life.
Love Joe&Andrea
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