Hibernation season...

I'm unpacking my suitcase today for what may be the last time this year. Depressing, right? Especially when my suitcase was involved in so many expeditions and adventures. In fact, it hasn't been fully unpacked since November of 2016 when I returned from a trip to New Orleans. Sigh.

   So now what? What does a Traveljunkee do during hibernation season? Yeah, I'll have bowling, my poker league, book clubs, family gatherings, birthday, holidays, and all of the other events which will make the next three months (why so long?) whiz by. At least I hope so. I do have writing projects to complete, books to sell, and new things to accomplish as a writer. But I wanna go on a trip...

    2018 is around the corner, and I'm already scheming, plotting, planning, and researching getaways, adventures, journeys, and expeditions. Hibernation season lasts until the first weekend in February, and I'm already checking hotels and air fares. I doubt if 2018 will be as comparable to 2017 in number of trips, because of prom, graduation, tuition, and home improvement projects, but it will still be epic... as usual.

    Lake Geneva for Winterfest, Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Cleveland, Niagara Falls, Omaha, Black Hills, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Mississippi, New Orleans, Illinois State Fair, Louisville, New Hampshire, Maine, Providence, basketball Hall of Fame, Connecticut, and good ol' St. Louis. Pretty good year, considering all of the changes I've been through. 

    Yeah, the suitcases will be packed away, travel necessities put in their place, and daydreams and memories will have to suffice for awhile. Black sand beaches, seafood boils, yacht shopping, fresh catfish, misty mountains, and maybe even a gondola ride. These are the 2018 adventures, the thoughts which will keep my brain occupied and my soul at ease for the next little while. Hibernation season has started... winter is coming.