Author: Michael Cook

Within 15 minutes of arriving in Rome, we were robbed. In all my years of traveling, I have never had anything stolen, but less than 24 hours after touching down in Italy, Megan’s wallet was snatched. Occurring so early in our trip, the theft tended to negatively color our impressions of the eternal city. Seen […]

A lot has happened over the past couple of months. During the month of December, I did not spend a single weekend in California. My travels took me to Columbus, Ohio, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Onset, Massachusetts, and Omaha, Nebraska. As usual, I have been negligent in posting regular journal updates. So, in an attempt to […]

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. Along with July 4th and Christmas, this is the time of year when I am usually surrounded by family. Considering how frequently both my family and I tend to move, this holiday often involves travel. Over the years, I have spent Thanksgiving in Denver, Memphis, Kentucky, […]

It has been a year since I left the boat in New Zealand and returned to the Unites States. In contrast to prior years, during the past year I have exchanged the threat of being in close proximity to hurricanes to being relatively close to rampant fires. Instead of haggling with natives for disturbingly inexpensive […]

There is a theory that posits that the key to a happy life is to establish a satisfying flow of activity. A stimulating job, loyal friends, and a caring family facilitate a meaningful existence that drifts by in a series of enjoyable days. For me, this philosophy holds some truth, though a key ingredient is […]

After nearly eight months in Los Angeles, it finally rained. I still find this amazing and cannot help but expecting the skies to open up every time the smog gets a bit thicker than normal. For someone who enjoys relaxing rainy days, the adjustment to the constant sunshine has been a challenge. I would like […]

I never should have gone home. Before my trip back east, I was content with my situation in LA. I had settled into a comfortable routine and had met some nice people. However, after a cross-country red eye flight, I was thrilled to find myself back in Cape Cod. Within several hours of landing, I […]

Six months after leaving my boat in New Zealand, I once again boarded a plane and flew eastward to meet up with family. This time, instead of gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving, we were gathering to celebrate my cousin Maureen’s wedding. The journey began with a red-eye from LAX to Cleveland that departed at 11:00 PM […]

Several weeks ago, I traded in the sun and superficiality of Los Angeles for a weekend of sun and simplicity in Atlanta. Lacking a washer or dryer in my apartment, my baggage was filled mainly with dirty laundry that I hauled across the country in a questionable effort to save a few dollars. Arriving late […]

Shifting about, I struggle to settle on a comfortable position. As I curl up under an insufficient blanket, a dim light flickers in the periphery. Immediately, I am on my feet in a sheer panic. The light grows brighter and appears to be drawing closer. Terrified, I strain to get my bearings. Is the anchor […]