8 October, 2024
Gary and I have been traveling for 14 months as of today, October 8th. Some of my memories of our travel experiences have become less vivid as new experiences take their place. I’ve sent infrequent missives and photos to family and friends; Gary again suggested that I create a blog site for people that I love, so that whenever they want, they can read about what we’re doing.
To be honest, I have resisted creating a blog because it seems so pretentious. I am doubtful that I can consistently write in an interesting-enough way. In the back of my mind there’s a nagging thought that won’t go away—is there really a need for another personal blog in this overly-crowded social media world? I believe the answer is no, but I’m trudging forward with Gary’s patient encouragement. Instead, I have begun to think of The Mary Go Round as an open diary that you are invited to read, skim, or skip over. For me, this written diary makes it possible for me to be introspective, struggle with my writing process, improve my efforts at photography, and record memories so they don’t become jumbled and fuzzy over time.
You, dear reader, have been forewarned!
Don’t worry, this isn’t a detailed travelogue. Each post will be a snapshot of our lives on any given day, as Gary and I learn about ourselves and our world. The posts are brief snippets—written and visual impressions that cause me to take notice and react on some way: laugh, shrug, get choked up, or etcetera, but always to try to make sense of things if I can. Hopefully, if I do my job as a writer, you’ll understand me and what matters most to me. Here goes!
This first post (now weeks old) begins our story as Gary and I get ready to travel on Odyssey. Our floating motel—VVR Odyssey— will pick us up at the Ponta Delgada port in Sao Miguel, Azores — oh-oh, the most recent itinerary has scratched the Ponta Delgada port—no worries though—I’m used to change after five months of disappointing delays and reworked itineraries. We fly to Lisbon on 11 October, 2024 to board Odyssey the next day. At last, this long-awaited journey begins.
Hasta la vista, querida Sao Miguel, Azores. You and your people provided us with a safe haven while we waited (5 months) for our ship to pass its inspections and certifications. You gifted us while we waited on the island with beautiful scenery, great food, interesting history and culture, and a chance to reset our expectations for the next six months on a hopefully, mechanically sound, old ship with oodles of character and oddities.
The Mary Go Round 
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