About the Author

Once I started posting, I noticed something unexpected: other bloggers were liking my posts. It turns out, everyone has a story to tell—and I’ve got one too.

My mother was a WWII war bride from France, and my father was a GI from Richmond, Virginia. They settled in Richmond and had five kids, but my mother often went back to France to visit her family. As a child, I was lucky to tag along a couple of times—wandering the streets of Paris, exploring Brittany, and soaking up the sun in Nice. My French? Let’s just say it’s a bit rusty these days.

I went to VCU to study History, with minors in Political Science and Geography—I’ve always been fascinated by the world and how we got here. In 1973, I moved to Washington, DC, to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration at American University. But paying your own way isn’t easy, and I never finished that degree. Instead, I found myself working in the government, starting in 1978. I was trained as a computer programmer—back when the government was still figuring all this tech stuff out. Over my 30-year career, I worked at the GSA, the US Courts, and the FCC, where I wrapped up as the Chief Information Security Officer.

After retiring from the government, I tried my hand in private industry—working at MITRE, (ISC)², and ISACA. But eventually, I realised I’d had enough. It was time to enjoy life a bit more.

Now, Clare and I travel as much as we can—chasing the adventures we missed before. On one of my trips, I met Marie, who told me about her blog. That sparked something in me. I thought, why not start sharing my own stories? So here I am—sharing travel tales and whatever else comes to mind.

For all you travellers out there—whether you’re packing your bags or just dreaming of the next trip—happy trails to you.