Over the past few months, I have been inspired, excited, and anxious more times than I can count. I love thinking about the trip and the wonders that await us in 2008, but I especially love it when someone else unexpectedly comes along and contributes to the excitement. This post goes out to all those people whose stories about their own travels have left us in awe; for those people who have left supportive messages in regards to our plans (Cindy: “I hate you guys.” I know that’s just your way of telling us we’ll be missed); for those people who are also anxiously awaiting and planning trips with us. There has just been a slew of support for our RTW decision, and one instance, in particular, stands out in our minds:

It’s Saturday back in August, just after Brian and I moved to Normal. We were on an adventure to Best Buy, in search of GPS systems. Brian thought it might be a good idea to take one with local maps downloaded onto it so we didn’t have to buy maps wherever we went (thus saving $$$). Tip: If you’re looking for handheld GPS systems, don’t go to Best Buy. They have 2. Yes, TWO. And, they are in the automotive section next to a plethora of GPS systems… made for your car.

Just as we were bending over to look at the fantastic selection, a Best Buy associate, probably around our age, comes out to ask if he could help us. Normally, I’m very annoyed with this, but he seemed friendly and we made conversation about the GPS selection. The next part went a little something like this (not word for word):

Us: “There are about 50 GPS systems for cars, but 2 handheld. What’s the deal?”

Best Buy Guy: “Americans just don’t like to get out of their cars.” (We chuckle.) “Why are you looking for handhelds?”

Us: “We’re planning on doing some traveling and thought it might be a cool idea.”

Best Buy Guy: “Oh, yeah? Where are you planning on going?”

Us: (We look at each other, then back at him.) “Everywhere.” (His eyes kind of perked up. We proceeded to tell him the plan and he got very excited.)

Best Buy Guy: “I’ve done a lot of traveling… I’d give anything to do that right now!” (He went on and on about all the places he had been, what to watch out for, etc.) “YOU’LL HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIVES!”

His excitement made us more excited, I almost couldn’t contain myself (but I was in public…). He just kept going back to, “You’ll have the time of your lives!” I can still picture it in my head with all the excitement when he said it. Brian and I walked out of Best Buy without a GPS system, but with so much more confidence in our decision to travel. Sometimes, when we’re stressed out with planning and feeling like it will never happen soon enough I say to Brian, “Let’s go back to Best Buy!” We don’t really go back, but the memory of that situation, so unexpected and great, makes us happy. Thank you Best Buy Guy! We still don’t know your name, but you will not be forgotten.

Back in August, Brian ventured out to Boston for a weekend and said he was going to type up a little something for the site. I have even seen him typing a paragraph or two on his laptop, but have yet to see anything official. So, until further notice, here is the recap of that weekend:

Brian took a bus to Boston on Friday, walked around, drank some Sam Adam’s, ate some clam chowder, and even though he might have vomited on the side of the street, he still had a great time.

The End.