Uncategorized – Jill's Journey Journals

Hiking on the Appalachian-Story 2

Well, it took me two and a half years to get back on the Appalachian Trail, but I did it. Where does the time go? This time, my daughter, Sarah, went with me. I was determined to camp on the trail. I wanted to have that experience at least once. Sarah was in full agreement.Continue reading “Hiking on the Appalachian-Story 2”

Hiking the Appalachian

For years, I have wanted to hike the Appalachian trail. Not necessarily a thru hike, although that would be pretty cool. I have followed several people on instagram who have done thru hikes on various trails, and it looks like an amazing experience. I am just not ready to be away from my family forContinue reading “Hiking the Appalachian”

Istanbul

My daughter, Ally, has a job that has given her the opportunity to travel quite a bit. One of the places she has traveled to is Saudi Arabia. She traveled to Saudi Arabia for the first time in October, 2024. This past October, 2025, she was scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia again. We alreadyContinue reading “Istanbul”

Families are the Best

Families are the best. At our last family reunion, my cousin Bruce said, “I really enjoy your blogs, Jill, but I have a question. Are you ashamed of your family?” The question surprised me and I asked him why he asked me that. He replied, “Well, you never write about us in your blog.” Okay.Continue reading “Families are the Best”

Sister trip in Mexico City

I love my sister. We grew up together, but we could not be more opposite. Shelly loves being around people. I need my alone time. Her idea of a good time is a day of shopping. I hate shopping. My idea of a good time is curling up with a good book or hiking upContinue reading “Sister trip in Mexico City”

Anniversary in New York

Greg took me to my first Broadway show shortly after we were married. We saw Phantom of the Opera at the Fabulous Fox Theater in St. Louis. That was the beginning of my love for theater. I buy season tickets to the Fox every year now. It’s one of my favorite things to do. GregContinue reading “Anniversary in New York”

Lisbon, Portugal-Tiles, Toenails, and Tons of Stairs

We traveled to Lisbon, Portugal for a week in August, 2024. Wanderful, a global women’s travel community, was having a global meetup there, so we planned our vacation around the event. I belong to Wanderful, and both of my daughters and my daughter-in-law belong to Wanderful as well. The global meetup had events planned forContinue reading “Lisbon, Portugal-Tiles, Toenails, and Tons of Stairs”

They Call Me Little Bull

I am not a fighter. As a matter of fact, I pretty much avoid confrontation at all costs if I can. But there have been some times throughout my life where confrontation has found me. Since my stories are mostly about adventures in travel, you may find the beginning of this story a bit confusing.Continue reading “They Call Me Little Bull”

San Diego-Beaches, Mountains, and….Possums?

I love San Diego, California. I love the weather, the food, the beaches, the mountains. I have been to San Diego a few times, and I have enjoyed it every time. Our first trip to San Diego was to visit our daughter. In 2013, our daughter, Ally, was working for an organization based in SanContinue reading “San Diego-Beaches, Mountains, and….Possums?”

Our Aruba Vacation

In 2010, Sarah decided she wanted to go to Aruba for vacation. Since she was graduating from high school, she got to choose the vacation destination. Sarah was allowed to bring a friend, and my mom and my Aunt Carol were joining us on this trip. Our little vacation group included me, my husband Greg,Continue reading “Our Aruba Vacation”