Author: suzannerutledge

I’m sure it comes as no surprise to anyone who knows us that we have LOVED spending our final weeks in England. It’s my home away from home and I never get tired of the beautiful countryside, magnificent castles and museums to suit everyone’s interests (for free!) I’d like to make a quick plug for … Continue reading Unabashed Anglophiles

In an Oxford church this morning, I was overcome with humble gratitude for the gift that this journey has been. Not only have we kept our health, our safety and our wits (mostly) intact, our family has been crazy blessed by this experience we’ve had together. Our conversations have now turned to reflection, reminiscing about our … Continue reading 10,000 Reasons

One of the best parts of this journey has been stopping to visit friends and spend time with families we love. Luke adores playing with kids his age and Mitch and I revel in adult time and conversation. Our latest stop was in Bath to see friends we made while living in London. Now with … Continue reading Can’t Stop the Feeling

I’ve heard it’s hot in Georgia, but the weather in my home away from home has been pretty perfect. Mitch and I lived in Richmond, England, just outside London, from 2004-2006 and they were some of the happiest years of my life. Those two years grew us in many ways and sparked a lifetime love of not … Continue reading Dog Days of Summer

There are a few friends in life who know you inside out. They support you, encourage you and celebrate life with you joyfully. Our friends the Sneeds are those people. They got behind our crazy idea to travel around the world early on and have cheered us to the finish line. So, it was only … Continue reading When Friends are Like Family

If you’ve read any books about the south of France and the vibrant Provencal region, you probably know about the fields of lavender that dot the countryside in the Luberon just east of Avignon. If your timing is just right, the weather cooperates, and you find yourself here in mid-June, you are rewarded with heavenly … Continue reading A Week in Provence

We just couldn’t stay away from Italy and spent a few weeks in the northern part of the country after our adventures in the south (with a quick diversion to Barcelona and Lyon.) I recovered from my slump in Florence during a fun night out with our WWOOFing friend Diego. We picked up Walker and … Continue reading La Dolce Vita

It’s happened. I’m tired. Not just sleepy because I’ve had another night in a strange, uncomfortable bed. I am tired of traveling. After seven months of traveling to 14 countries, I feel pretty good to have come this far. There have been moments (in India) when I longed for the comforts of home, but the … Continue reading Floundering in Florence

We settled in for a week in a second floor apartment overlooking one of Lyon’s quiet pedestrian-only streets. After bulleting through Palermo, Rome and Barcelona for just a few days at a time, it was a welcome relief to slow down, disregard the clock and walk at the pace of the locals. We rise and … Continue reading I’d Never Get Lyon-ly