Happy Anniversary to Us! It was just 13 years ago, almost to the day, that my hubby and I began our love affair with travel. Like all love affairs, it’s been a bitter-sweet journey that began with passion in San Antonio that continued through our elopement in Las Vegas. Just when we thought our love affair was about to end we were introduced to the Reno hotels that reignited what we thought we’d lost. Suddenly, we caught a rush mixed with a bit of nostalgia when we went to Angel’s Heaven on a little island south of Charleston in South Carolina.

Our travels have always been once-in-a-lifetime events; however, not all our travels have been the best. I remember when we were on our way to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (by car). Driving down the Baja is an amazing journey full of beautiful deserts, mountains, winding roads and, of course, Federales (Mexican federal police). The only hitch to the journey is that it’s a two-day drive because driving is only ‘smart’ during daylight hours. The occasional cow and horse don’t just wander onto the dark roadway…they sleep on the dark roadway, right in the middle of it. We heard about a lot drivers, and even had friends, that took their lives into their own hands by driving at night, but we didn’t; which brought us front-and-center to the bitter part of our affair. Not ever traveling to Mexico before, let alone driving through the country, we didn’t know where to stop to spend the night and staying in the car was not an option. Today, I wish I’d taken a photograph of the hotel we ‘thought’ looked close to one we’d prefer. I have to tell you, it was scary, to say the least, safe – but scary. While we did sleep in the hotel room that night, it was on our sheets that, I think I later burned. But hey, it was a part of the journey and if we don’t experience new situations we never know when a great one will pass us by. Ok, the hotel in the little unknown Mexican town wasn’t a great experience but we’ve had lots of great experiences since that night in the hotel that it was very well worth the night of ick.

Since our drive down the Baja we’ve truly enjoyed our lives as we’ve continued our love affair with travel. We’ve been fortunate enough to go to South America, most of the Caribbean islands, all over the United States from California, the Reno hotels, back to San Antonio, St. Louis, Chicago and all up and down the east coast. Not all our adventures have been perfect but that’s what makes our great travels even greater.

~ Diana

I received an e-mail yesterday from my friend, Lise, in Canada that I met during our 9 month stint on the island of St. Kitts. It started with “He’s here!” I about cried over the headline knowing what it meant.

Roberto, originally from Cuba, and Lise (with ancestors from Trinidad) met over 2 years ago while she was in St. Kitts on vacation. It was love at first sight. Sadly, she had to return home but kept communicating with Roberto via the Internet.

A couple months later we moved from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to St. Kitts…and Lise returned to see Roberto. They were married on the island in a private but very romantic ceremony.

My hubby and I met them  a couple days later at the St. Kitts Music Festival. It was a very cool happening. They celebrated their wedding at the 2006 St. Kitts Music Festival watching their favorite band Air Supply.

The performances of Air Supply and Dionne Warwick that night took me back in time to my high school days. Right, I graduated 3 years ago (and my son graduated 7 years ago)…LOL It was very cool to be one of the press photographers so I was able to meet the band and talk with Dionne Warwick & Jully Black.  It was very cool. Press passes don’t just get you in the door…they get you all the way to the stars. I was even able to combine a photograph of Lise and Roberto with Air Supply.

Sadly, Lise had to return to Canada after only a few weeks with her new hubby. It tore me apart to see them separate. But, against all odds, three countries and a ton of paperwork… with two years in between…they have now been united in Canada. Amazing love. They truly are soul-mates.

Here’s to you, Lise and Roberto! May you celebrate many years together and never need to part again, Diana