And I’m back. Home that is. And just in time, too, because tomorrow is my four-year wedding anniversary (yay us!).
As much as I love savagely traveling around Scotland, there’s something beautiful about stepping through my front door when I return home. I’ll be busy doing all the things I love about autumn in Wisconsin over the next couple months. You know, watching the Packers, picking apples, carving pumpkins, raking moldy leaves and pruning back plants in suddenly cold weather. Well, nothing’s perfect.
Maybe you’ve noticed that while I’ve been away in Scotland these past three weeks all I’ve written are posts in the style I call “vignettes.” It was a little experiment to see how all of you – readers of uncommonly good taste – would react. I’ve received some positive comments, a negative one too, but not really enough to know if it was a smart move or not. Please take a minute and leave a comment letting me know what you think.
Over these next few months I’ll also be writing loads of posts about all of the amazing experiences I’ve had in Scotland this year, from wildlife cruises to distillery visits to super-comfy accommodations. I’ve got a lot to tell you about Scotland’s Inner Hebrides plus more about my trips to Edinburgh and the Highlands earlier this year. It amazes me that after seven trips in the last eight years, I’m still finding new aspects and things to love about Scotland.
I’m also becoming something of a whisky scholar. If you ever want to talk single malts (or anything whisky, or anything, really), feel free to contact me.
Plans & Happenings
My return home today marks the completion of my fourth official Traveling Savage trip in the last 10 months. To be honest, I’m feeling the mental wear and tear of such constant and extended travel, so I’m tentatively planning my next trip for early 2012. This gives me some time to catch up on writing about my previous trips, formulate my next itinerary, and dodge the worst of the Scottish weather.
I won’t be sitting idly at home, however. The next couple months are jammed with short trips to Minnesota, San Francisco, Chicago, and Door County. If you’re in the Midwest, why not hit Chicago on October 18 to hear me and several other cubicle-crackers speak at Meet, Plan, Go’s national event. If you’re unhappy with your job and looking for a way out, here’s your chance to be inspired and learn how others like me have done it. Life’s too short to hate what you do.
In my spare time I just might be learning about distillation. I think I recognized something dear to me while in Scotland on this last trip. I should note that I would never do something as heinously illegal as home distill.
Parting Blow
What do you seek from travel blogs? From Traveling Savage in particular? Practical information about Scotland? Well-written travel narratives? Let me know in the comments.
“I should note that I would never do something as heinously illegal as home distill.”
Oh, it goes without saying, naturally.
A pleasure to hang out with you in Glasgow and yarn and rant. And as I said at the time – I’ve never questioned that what you’re doing is special and unique. I look forward to seeing what you do with it, but it’s a fact, you *have* it.
Mike, the more often I meet awesome people like you on my travels, the more I believe that’s what travel is about. I had a great time in Glasgow hanging out, cracking jokes, and sipping drams of unbelievably high quality single malt Scotch. Thank you for making the trip up and I’ll repay the favor someday by coming to York (or wherever you’re living in the world once you’re location independent). Cheers buddy, and congrats on your progress toward that goal.
Really enjoyed following your posts and enjoying some nice reminders of home! Great photo in the Bon Accord – that place is just around the corner from my old flat on St. Vincent Street. Look forward to reading more about Scotland soon 🙂
Paul is doing amazing things at the Bon Accord. He’s an incredibly nice guy and forward thinking. I’ll be back there, no question.
Thanks Lauren.
loved the vignettes – they made me happy. i’d be glad to see more!
safe travels (we LOVE mn and wi!)…
Nice to hear, thanks for the input!
I LOVE the vignettes. Your photography is fantastic — would actually love to have some of your work framed for my home. I love Scotland, and love that you have traveled off the beaten path! I look forward to reading more of your posts. Cheers, mate!
Thanks Jen, you can purchase my photos from this site: http://photos.traveling-savage.com/. I’m working on getting more photos up there, too. All kinds of options for printing available as well.
Though it isn’t traditional travel blogging, I very much like the vignettes. And the photos, as well. The more traditional pieces about sights, B&B’s, etc, are interesting but also afford little room for your creativity. The posts in which you bring together your experiences in a place, some larger analogy, and mix in a little bit of your own philosophizing are really enjoyable.
I appreciate the input. You’re right about the creativity aspect – that’s probably why I enjoy writing the vignettes so much.