Chattanooga has often been mentioned as a city to visit, and we were surprised how many people sang the praises of this historic Southern town. Well, the praises were all well-deserved.

Botanical gardens and parks, small and large, have always been major elements of our travels. They are usually uncrowded, quiet, and filled with beauty; perfect qualities for escaping concerns and worries. They are always changing, and thus they are dependably fascinating – they are filled with life.

Circle-B-Bar Reserve is a huge tract of protected land in Polk County, Florida. With many miles of well-maintained trails, a large, alligator-inhabited lake, an amazing amount of bird life, and massive live oak trees, and big, old cypress trees a great place to spend a few hours … or days.

Jeannie’s birthday was coming up and she wanted a change of view. So we found a place on Florida’s northeast coast about half-way between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach. It was a perfect place to enjoy nature and avoid any crowds … and celebrate a birthday.

When we first began our Slow Nomad travels in 2014, we estimated that we would travel for a while. But, we hadn’t counted on a global pandemic.

When we returned to Florida last year we had enjoyed a beautiful spring in France and the Cotswolds of England with its delightfully cool summer before returning to familiar surroundings.

Our 2018 adventures will begin March 29, and we’ll travel to three countries. We’ll start in Verona, Italy and then Croatia and Slovenia, where my (Jeannie's) dad’s side of the family came from.

Goals are good, so mine is to pack lighter for this trip. Yes, easy to say, not so easy to do.

Our time in Canada had come to a close, and we boarded a plane for our return to the USA. We were heading to Sheboygan, Wisconsin for a visit with Jeannie’s side of the family.

So here we are, scrambling. It is less than two weeks, um, one week, um, a few days before we depart on the next leg of our adventures and we…