I grew up moving around. I went to 16 different schools in three states. I was born in New Kensington, PA (Pittsburgh) so I'm a big Steelers/Pirates/Penguins fan. We moved in and out of Pittsburgh and Warren PA; all over the Rochester, NY region; and finally settled in the Orlando, FL region for my last year in HS (I graduated from Winter Park HS - 1980). The moving around might have bothered some families but not ours...we liked going to new places and by the time I was 10, I had flown alone quite often. So traveling became a normal way of life for me. I learned not to be a pack-rat and picked-up some great travel habits. One of which I wish I started earlier in my life. I now send myself a postcard from everywhere I go (even day trips). I write when/where/with whom I travelled and whether I liked the place or not. I also tell myself something unusal about the destination or about a person I met. Its a great keepsake!

        I joined the military when I was 19 and am now retired after 26 years. I have lived in four countries and both of my children were born overseas in Europe. I chose Key West as my permanent residence (since 1989) where I live with my other half, 3 children, 3 cats and a dog still live. Spain and Greece are tied for the foreign countries I would choose to live in again but who knows – I haven’t been everywhere yet but I’m trying. I plan on walking the Appalachian Trail from beginning to end, then set sail for everywhere we haven’t been.