My first big solo travel adventure happened when I was a mere 12-year-old. We had moved from our old neighborhood the previous year, and my best friend was left behind. Then her family moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. I had to do something, and my parents weren't quick to make vacation plans because my mother was grieving the loss of her father and was stuck without him.
I saw a television commercial for United Airlines that offered a 50% discount for student airfare. It sparked my interest, and I made the call to find out how much it would cost to fly to Ft. Lauderdale one way. The plan started to formulate, and I was on a mission.

Any chores that were available to do for our neighbors, my brothers, or anyone else, I did to earn some money. Every weekend I offered to babysit for neighbors; I ironed sharp creases into my brother's blue jeans; and the last $50.00 I had to borrow from my middle brother.

The tickets were purchased for the last day of July in 1969 because our family always took vacations in August. I called Mrs. Rutledge, my friend's mother, and got her approval to stay at their house for a total of five days. I checked on the driving time with her since they had driven from Mobile, Alabama, to Ft. Lauderdale and how to get there. I asked if they had to stop overnight on the way, and she told me where they stopped and the name of the hotel.

I called the hotel, which was a Holiday Inn of Ocala, Fla., and made a reservation for my parents for when they were to drive down to pick me up since I could only raise enough money for the one-way ticket.

School had just ended, and no mention of vacation plans had been mentioned by my parents or grandmother. While eating dinner, when everyone was sitting around the table, I said, "I have made some family vacation plans."
Mom replies, "You have? What are you talking about?"

"Well, here's the plan. I have a one-way ticket to Ft. Lauderdale for July 31st, and I will stay with the Rutledges for three days. Mom and Dad, you will drive down on August 2nd and stay overnight at the Holiday Inn in Ocala. We'll stay the last two nights with the Rutledges and then drive back to Mobile."

I wish there was a picture of the moment when their faces were jaw-dropped and showed their total shock.

The thrill of the surprise was great, but the adventure and experience of learning how to make the plans, figuring out how much money I needed, and putting it all together must have stuck the cord of excitement and desire to keep going. This is why I love to travel, and I love to help other people plan exciting adventures and help them believe and succeed with travel plans.