Fall in Newport is a dream… Gorgeous weather, dear friends, Sophia’s first Homecoming, and lots of fall baseball!  Life on land is good. As we are now well into our fifth year of home-schooling, I think we are solidly on our path.  However, in the true spirit of Travel-School, it is soon time to pick up again.

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”  – Albert Einstein

Time to go! Sophia and Oliver walking the promenade at Las Arenas beach, Valencia.

A lot of people have wanderlust. However, some bristle at the idea of so much travel. I get that. It is true, we all find comfort in our routines and cozy places. It’s not easy to pack up and leave everything behind. But finding a way to go somewhere new and exciting does not have to be far nor break the bank. More importantly, jostling ourselves out of our comfort-zones is a life-important practice. Travel can be stressful, but when we take a chance on something new, empathy and understanding wedge their way into our too-busy schedules. By way of experience, our lives inevitably become enriched with new friendships, new cultures, new foods, books, clothes, ideas, …new ways of thinking.

Who knew that we would have a private date with a momma and baby Beluga this year?

Tony always says, “Sometimes you just have to leave the dock; See what happens.”  The truth is, something always DOES happen when we pack up and go. Even if only a renewed point of view. Also, packing for a trip, long or short, forces us to look at the state of our under-jumblie drawers (proverbial or literal).  Only good can come from this.

Before we travel, I like to throw out to the universe anything I would like to happen… then sort of sit back and wait. Often times, the universe listens and voila! We are soon doing that thing. Or a similar thing. Or an even cooler thing, inspired by the original thought.

I am reminded of a passage in The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, when speaking of discovering one’s Personal Legend: “… and when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

Exploring el Carmen district (top) and the amazing architecture of Santiago Calatrava (below). Valencia. 

We are all excited to go. Yes, it will be hard for the kids to leave home, their friends and early fall in New England. But our teens know travel is temporary and real friendships are forever. They are also well-aware of the benefits of “leaving the dock” (plus new socksandundies, after we’ve assessed the state of the aforementioned drawer…).

“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”   –  Paulo Coelho*

We all benefit by trusting in a broad range of life experiences. Our next adventures will be onboard TIMBALERO, fresh out of the boatyard with some new paint and other small upgrades. We are excited to get down south and see what new things lay ahead for us.

If you could throw an idea out to the universe, and there was a chance it might boomerang back to you as a real possibility … What would it be? Where would you go?

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*Some Homecoming photos of Sophia with Tj and a few of her best friends:

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Paulo Coelho quotes are from The Alchemist, translated from Portuguese by Alan R. Clarke. Originally titled, “O Alquimista” by Paulo Coelho. Published in Brazil, 1988. 

*Coelho also wrote of FOUR obstacles that can make a dream impossible:

1. Love (afraid of hurting those we love by leaving)

2. Fear of trying (growing up with accumulated layers of prejudice, fear and guilt)

3. Fear of failure (what are the defeats we might meet on our path?)

4. Fear of success (realizing the dream for which we fought all our lives might not be what we thought).

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Albert Einstein quote found at: www.brainyquote.com

Momma and baby Beluga whales are living happily together at the Oceanografic in Valencia: www.oceanografic.org

© text copyright Lynne Rey