Be interested in your further explorations, NorthShore...I assume meaning somewhere north of Evanston?

I am smiling with the notion of "endless travel" which might be too much of a good thing. After all, there is the laundry and the family and friends and planting flowers back home. How often would you want to enjoy Christmas, e.g. a wonderful experience but not something you want to have more than once a year.

You sound like the kind of folks who would benefit from as well as be beneficial to some volunteer service. God know (and I do mean this religiously) the world needs more caring travelers...beyond the many who are gawking and tasting wine and buying those cute little handicrafts!

Another thought. If you do have intentions to travel extensively in Europe, why not immerse yourself in a culture, i.e., rent a cottage in a remote place for several months and learn the language and appreciate the culture. You've already mentioned a month at a time here and there. Staying in one place wouldn't cancel out time for many jaunts. And one place to land for a spell might be at some university for courses of interest. Is there a subject or author you've always wanted to know more about?

ozarksbill

Northshore, did you ever go on your trip, how is it going?

May I suggest that when in Europe, be sure to visit or possibly consider staying in the smaller towns and villages, for they are less overwhelming and are full of charme! Also, perhaps you should visit my hometown - Lyon. It's very lovely and you can easily take some day trips and have train access to other places.

By the way, I'm moving back to France next year. Hopefully, I'll be able to do some more traveling too in Europe.

Have a fantastique trip!

Curious also

I'm curious too, Northshore. I had replied to one of your postings in 12/04 about living in Germany with the military and wondered if you'd given up on that idea? Well, I said we'd love to go back and we have! We've been back about two months and have just bought a house north of Wiesbaden. The packing up again was a huge hassle, but still worth it. Let me know if you're still considering a GS job and I can give you some updated info on living here.

Hi

Thanks for the interest. We are still planning, but have taken many steps to actually enact our plan.

- selling off furniture

- house goes up for sale this summer

- sold two cars

- donated clothes and books to charity

- two big yard sales to empty the garage

- Husband took a term position in Asia to build up cash reserves

- took some stock profits and put money in income producing assets

- went to Thailand to scope out some possible areas

- going to scout out Italy locations this summer

- hope to visit Mexico this winter

This effort is fun, but harder than we first imagined.

sounds like you've already started your adventure though!

Isn't it amazing how entwined our lives become with wherever we live? When we decided to move back here to Germany, I started my "brain book" again with all the little details I'd need to take care of for the move. Eight pages of single-spacing later.......!