About this site and Michael
Michael is a “somewhat fearless traveler” in that he’s not afraid to go it alone and knows that a great plan is just the beginning. You need to also be willing to “go with the flow” when opportunities arise. Some of the best parts of a trip are completely unplanned. If you’re reading this, then you already have the spirit of travel in you! Read, research, plan, and then welcome the opportunities that life gives you (whether you think they are good or not at the time). This is what makes you a happy traveler. - Michael's Journeys
Look how proud he is of that minnow!
Getting dressed for Fez
Me and Jack II why 2? long story
Hi there! If you’re reading this page, you are either upset about something I wrote (who could blame you) or just wonder if I am for real. Yes, I’m real, and probably hungry too. Originally from Michigan in the United States, where I also went to school (Go Blue!) and then moved to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale again, Puerto Vallarta, MX, Mexico City, and as of 2023, I am in Torremolinos, Spain, just outside of Malaga, and probably researching my next trip.
Michael's Journeys
First Trip to Arctic Circle
Deadvlei Namibia
Ireland’s Cliffs of Mohair
Provence’s Lavender Fields
Why Travel?
Travel has always been an escape for me. My first “real” job I did marketing for a nonprofit (NGO) and had to travel extensively during that time. I continued to travel for both work and pleasure for the next 30 years or so and am still at it. In 2022, I discovered the house across from me sold for close to twice what I thought it was worth. The next day I put mine up for sale after 22 years, and within a month I was homeless, but very happy. I was able to change my job to remote (COVID helping a lot here) with occasional visits back to my clients, guess I’d call that a hybrid digital nomad.
I have been working with or for nonprofits most of my life, fundraising mainly: grant writing, major gifts, events, annual giving, planned giving, direct mail, a lot of editing, and well, you name it. (Fundraising is the world’s second oldest profession, and it shares many traits with the first.) I still enjoy immensely helping nonprofits succeed and love coaching staff in fundraising strategy and techniques.
Where do You Travel?
Where and why do I go? Well, I love new places. I have no goals of hitting all 7 continents (though Antarctica, once I can find a cheaper way, you are MINE!), or 150 countries and such, things like that mean nothing to me (LINK where I’ve been). But someplace beautiful, someplace special, something unique – that I am all over. I am also a former event planner, so I have a penchant for planning and having back up plans. Researching a new place to visit is oftentimes a blast, especially when I am somewhere I’ve never been and suddenly see a familiar street or building from my research.
I do have a lot of hang ups, like not wanting to go to countries with dictators, but still I’ve been to some of them, so I don’t always hold true to that rule. I don’t like seeing disparity, such as poorer countries with luxury resorts behind barbed wire really bother me. I’m also bothered by being bothered, whether it is to buy something, or drink something, or whatever, not a fan of aggressive selling. So, I tend to steer clear of those countries with that type of reputation. I have always loved beaches, just not sitting on them for hours, I like them close. Warmer climates I lean heavily towards, can’t stand cold weather, so I try to not travel too far north December to February, or too far south, June to August.
What Kind of Travel?
In travel I focus on 40+ (yes, I know the world is centered around the 20’s to 30’s somethings, just relax), solo trips, food and wine, frugal but with value (not cheap mind you, but a euro/dollar/peso/pound saved here and there means more trips) and learning to live in new areas (this is a lifelong mastery that I am nowhere close to meeting). If the idea of being in a “happening” (do they say that still?) hostel near the bars sounds appealing to you, then this ain’t the site for you. I am not an “influencer” and pay for my trips, meals, hotels, and everything else. I have yet to meet an “influencer” who wasn’t “insufferable” to be around, as well as “inconsiderate” and “insensitive” to the people and cultures where they were traveling. (Basically, warts on the ass of progress, stop following these people!)
I began this site as a “what the hell” type of thinking, and it at times reminds me it is hell. But, I hope WordPress and Elementor get easier to understand, my photos get better over time, my writing improves (no place to go but up), and I learn to enjoy this new part of my life. (However, I have given permission to a few people, that if they ever see me holding a selfie stick, they are requested to grab it out of my hands and beat the crap out of me.) If you are an empty nester, towards the end of your career, and want to travel, or just looking for ideas on places to go, I hope I can be of service to you. More than anything, I hope my learning, mistakes, misadventures, lucky circumstances, and whatnot will be of use to you, dear reader. Thanks for being here.
More recent photos added all the time. (Though I had to search for these as I don’t take selfies much)