Map Lust: Origins

from Amy Rice Art on etsy

Seems perfect that these Fleetwood Mac lyrics start this blog as they were often the backgrund music to my chilhood afternoons. It was way back then that my map lust began. Dreaming of all of the places I would visit, imagining the new foods I would sample,  the smells, and exotic people-- yes, even the southern US was exotic to me at this point. Back then my travels didn't lead me very far. Weekend "mystery rides" always proved fun, but never more than a couple hour radius from home.

Growing older I kept a running list in my head of the spots that I would someday visit. Although I would really have gone anywhere it was those romantic destinations that held a sense of mystery and romance that were highest on my list-- New Orleans, Paris, Tuscany, Eastern Europe. The list grew. The check-marks did not.

In 1999 I met the man that would change that-- my husband, Carl. It was November, just before the millennium and everyone was freaking out. Y2K. What was going to happen? Would the world collapse? As we danced together at the house party that we both came with someone else to-- he popped this question. "What are you doing for the millennium?"

"Nothing." I replied

"Wanna go to Montana?" he asked.

"Sure" I replied with no hesitation.

Just enough adventurous and impetuous enough to encourage my dreams I could finally add a few check marks to the list.