Category Archives: Travel

Seeing…actually seeing…time

Posted on October 23, 2013 by John Swinburn

The last three days, during which I have had extremely limited access to the internet, have made my decision to forego Facebook an easier task.  I haven’t been able to peer and post without wi-fi or cell service. But I … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Time, Travel | 4 Comments

The Road

Posted on October 12, 2013 by John Swinburn

I had a conversation yesterday with an acquaintance who rents out half of her 1940s duplex (a couple of blocks off Lower Greenville in the “M Streets” area of Dallas) to people who would rather not experience a locale by … Continue reading →

Posted in Couch Surfing, Travel | 1 Comment

Ridin’ the Rails

Posted on September 17, 2013 by John Swinburn

We’re contemplating another long trip, this time by train. I say “we,” but the contemplation is mostly mine; my wife is indulging my dreamery and allowing as to how she would be OK with the trip if I take care … Continue reading →

Posted in Friendship, Travel | 2 Comments

Finding Places–Ohio and Beyond

Posted on September 8, 2013 by John Swinburn

We started the trip on Tuesday, August 27, around 11:30 a.m.  We had planned to start it Monday (and before Monday, Sunday and Saturday and the week before…but never mind), but decided for a variety of reasons that we should … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Family, Food, Racism, Regret, Travel | 2 Comments

On the Road

Posted on September 3, 2013 by John Swinburn

After four nights being hosted by my nephew and his lovely wife, we’re about to hit the road again. We may drift east or north, we may turn back toward home, taking a more westerly route.  Only after getting in … Continue reading →

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Focus…Focus…Focus

Posted on August 11, 2013 by John Swinburn

It’s time for me to return to the important task at hand: getting the house ready to sell. I’ve been remiss of late in that I’ve essentially withdrawn from my responsibilities for taking care of a lot of cosmetic necessities. … Continue reading →

Posted in Housiing, Procrastination, Travel | Leave a comment

What Friends are For

Posted on July 13, 2013 by John Swinburn

Last night, we had a nice evening; wine and dinner and conversation with a friend and his partner.  My friend made Chicken Provençal, served over rice, with a nice salad on the side; excellent stuff!  We always enjoy visiting with … Continue reading →

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Heat and Highways and Butchery

Posted on July 6, 2013 by John Swinburn

The heat returneth.  It’s 79 degrees this morning, just before 6:30 a.m.  I walked outside awhile ago, hoping to bask in the coolness of the budding dawn, but it was not to be.  Instead, I opened the door to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Travel, Where to Live | Leave a comment

Central Texas Road Trip

Posted on June 29, 2013 by John Swinburn

For my wife’s birthday, we had planned to drive to Abilene and stay the night in a Best Western motel, using our free room voucher that was to expire June 30.  We’d have dinner at Perini Ranch, a steakhouse in … Continue reading →

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Stream of Consciousness Stuff…

Posted on June 22, 2013 by John Swinburn

This morning I awoke at 6:05 a.m., a much more civil hour than yesterday.  Two cups of coffee later, I’ve read a number of posts on Facebook, viewed a bit of email (most of which was junk), and wandered into … Continue reading →

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Sell Now or No?

Posted on June 13, 2013 by John Swinburn

One of the real estate agents we talked to recently is telling us we really need to get our house on the market before the “pre-school-year-buying-frenzy” ends sometime around mid-July.  And he says the market has heated up considerably in … Continue reading →

Posted in Housiing, Travel, Where to Live | 3 Comments

West Texas Road Trip

Posted on May 18, 2013 by John Swinburn

It was a whirlwind trip, mostly driving with very little in the way of stopping to take pictures.  But taking pictures wasn’t really what it was about, anyway.  It was about giving my older brother an opportunity to get out … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Travel | Leave a comment

Road Trip in a Mercedes Benz Convertible

Posted on April 27, 2013 by John Swinburn

My wife keeps frighteningly meticulous records.  I, on the other hand, assume I will remember things.  I don’t.  Not unless reminded. Today, she reminded me of the trip I made to Florida back in 2007.  She pulled out credit card … Continue reading →

Posted in Cars, Family, Memories, Travel | Leave a comment

Changing Places

Posted on April 25, 2013 by John Swinburn

I wonder how much truth there is in Emerson’s words: “Traveling is a fool’s paradise. Our first journeys discover to us the indifference of places. At home I dream that at Naples, at Rome, I can be intoxicated with beauty, … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Travel, Wisdom | Leave a comment

What “Drives” A Person to Live Out of a Vehicle?

Posted on April 14, 2013 by John Swinburn

As I started exploring what “life on the road” might be like, I came across a fascinating blog, http://cheaprvlivingblog.com/.  The blog and its associated forums, as well as other blogs linked to them, are loaded with tips for living on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Travel | Leave a comment

Change…Big Change

Posted on April 12, 2013 by John Swinburn

If it seems like I bounce around in many different directions, it’s because I do.  One day, I might be ready to buy land and a tractor, the next day I come to the conclusion that it’s impractical or unaffordable. … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Travel | 7 Comments

Road Trip to Florida

Posted on February 26, 2013 by John Swinburn

We (my wife, Janine, and I) spent the last fourteen days, more or less, on the road.  The destination was Florida, where my wife’s high school friend now lives.  The first day on the road, a Sunday, we drove about … Continue reading →

Posted in Couch Surfing, Florida, Travel | 12 Comments

Early

Posted on February 24, 2013 by John Swinburn

It’s just after 6:00 am on a Sunday morning.  I’ve been awake for well over an hour.  While my wife slept in the hotel’s king bed, I showered and got dressed.  It must be my way of returning to normalcy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dreams, Travel | Leave a comment

Couch Surfing, Mississippi Style

Posted on February 11, 2013 by John Swinburn

Last night, my wife and I had our first-ever experience as couch-surfers.  It was delightful. Our host, a guy in his mid-thirties, was truly an interesting character. He is acquisitions editor for a university press, a position he has held … Continue reading →

Posted in Couch Surfing, Travel | 2 Comments

Couch Surfing the Southern Route

Posted on February 8, 2013 by John Swinburn

As my wife and I began preparing for our trip to Florida, we discussed the possibility of finally doing some couch surfing.  While we’ve hosted other couch surfers, we have yet become guests of other hosts.  This morning, we decided … Continue reading →

Posted in Couch Surfing, Travel | 2 Comments

What to Do, What to Do…Well, Let’s Drive!

Posted on February 5, 2013 by John Swinburn

During the past several weeks, I’ve been contemplating what I will do to earn a living as my extended sabbatical slowly comes to an end. I’ve already extended my planned one year of leisure to fourteen months and am planning … Continue reading →

Posted in Dreams, Travel | 1 Comment

The Magical Meal

Posted on October 31, 2012 by John Swinburn

When my wife and I were in San Antonio a few days ago we had dinner at Bohanan’s, an upscale steak restaurant on Houston Street, not far from the downtown river walk.  We had been planning to have dinner there … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Food, Travel | 2 Comments

The Road

Posted on October 24, 2012 by John Swinburn

If just for one day, a road trip is what I need now.  And it shall be.  We don’t know where we’re heading, but we’re off in a while, maybe south, maybe west, maybe off toward the pine forests of … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | 1 Comment

New Orleans: Mostly a Food Experience

Posted on September 12, 2012 by John Swinburn

My sister-in-law came to visit on September 2, arriving just after 5:00 in the afternoon.  My wife and I had talked to her about coming to visit; we’d all decided a road trip to New Orleans was the thing to … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Travel | 2 Comments