My Travels

Margaret Rodenberg on the road!

In the first line of his novel Clisson, Napoleon Bonaparte wrote his hero was born for war. In contrast, I think I was born to be a tourist. I like nothing better than to be on the road.

By now, I’ve visited most of the U.S. states and over sixty countries. For an author like me, travel broadens the imagination. It builds empathy for other cultures, lifestyles, and beliefs. It lends color to historical facts. Most of all, it gives me a treasure trove of memories—sights, sounds, tastes, situations, and personalities—to draw upon. For me personally, it’s brought a ton of joy, fulfillment, and thrills. I’m lucky because my husband loves to travel, too. We’re both equally happy in a kayak or in a museum.

Writing this during my fifth month of sheltering-at-home due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I appreciate even more how lucky I’ve been. It’s in that spirit that I share some of my adventures on the road. (To enlarge a photo: on a phone or pad, you can stretch a photo; on a computer, opposite mouse click and open a new tab.)