I'm Ready to See the...

I have this severe case of wanderlust.  I'd be quite happy if I could just quit my job and see the world.  I realize that doesn't really work out mathematically as, quitting my jobs cuts off the finances to afford seeing the world.  It's quite the mathematical conundrum.  The worst part of this whole traveling desire is that I never really want to go on the cheap.  There are some professional travelers out there that stay at hostels and eat minimally for days on end just to be able to afford huge excursions.  

I don't want to do that.

I'm terrified to stay in a hostel - bugs, shared bathrooms and possible exposure to serial killing vagabonds, are just a few reasons why.  And honestly, if you're not going to splurge on delicious regional cuisine, what's even the point of traveling in the first place?  Also, I like tchotchkes too much.  I like buying little things - jewelry, scrapbooking supplies, books, more books, probably even more books - to help remember the trip.  It's fun to be able to look at a necklace that you bought in Scotland and remember the little store on the High Street you bought it in.  

I'm also way too in love with Europe in general, and England more specifically.  If I were a big fan of say, Asia, I'd be able to afford numerous glorious trips, because the cost of the Yen is way down and they're always wanting for travelers.  However, if you've been to Europe and England, you know that's not the case.  Europe is a bit better than England because the Euro's down quite a bit however, the GBP just keeps rising. Which makes trips to England twice as expensive.  What a pain in the neck!

So that brings me to my newly minted plan - for 2016 of course, as I still have a trip to England coming up in the near future that's calling my name.  I realized I've only ever been to 16 of the 50 states.  Considering I live in one of them, that's just sad.  There are so many cool places I've never been: The Portland, Seattle, Vancouver (Canada I realize, but still) route, Yosemite, Santa Fe New Mexico, LA, Mardi Gras, Disney Land, Chicago and dozens more.  If I focus on the little places with (much shorter and cheaper flights) I can see a whole lot more than one big crazy out of the country trip.

Why exactly did this take me so long to realize?  And more importantly, who's up for at least 4 US trips next year - I've already started planning... ; )