I read this quote recently in something Beth sent me and liked it.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness and many people need it solely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one corner of the earth all one’s lifetime” -Mark Twain.

I’d have to agree with those sentiments – and particularly so when that travel is to a foreign destination. I got the wanderlust long ago and still seem to have it so as I embark on another trip to a far off destination this morning this quote seems particularly appropriate to me.

I’ve developed a pattern of finding an interesting destination every couple of years. Usually it involves or is centered around some cycling. The world is more interesting to observe at the pace of a bicycle at least as far as I’m concerned and so that’s a central theme this year too. This year, it’s off to Spain and later France. A couple years ago, it was Italy. Kem and I had a great time there at, among other things, “bikecamp“. We met a couple there that has since been to and had great things to say about a similar offering from “Marty Jemison Cycling Tours“. Nothing beats a good referral, right? so this year’s plan to ride around the Costa Brava of Spain was hatched.

Hopefully I’ll find some wifi along the way and manage to jot down a few notes on the progress of the trip. Maybe even a few photos. Meanwhile, I wait for my next flight here in Newark…