Travelin’ light is the only way to fly.

Travelin’ light, just you and I.

A one-way ticket to ecstasy, Away on down, just follow me.

Travelin’ light, now we can catch the wind.

Travelin’ light, just let your mind pretend.

We can go to paradise, Maybe once, maybe twice.

Travelin’ light is the only way to fly.

(Erick Clapton, 2001)

 

 

“Traveling Light” means different things to different people.

I’ve lived my entire life on the road, in the air, chasing my dreams and charging my hopes. I was born in a small town with a reputation to trap a person. That’s not a bad thing if you need security, limits, and a lifetime commitment. However, it’s torture to the souls born to fly free. When I realized God wired me with wings, I knew my future was somewhere else, exploring something new, searching for Heaven knows what, and traveling light.

I’ve flown over a million miles…and seen much of the world.

My mileage numbers are pedestrian compared to some of my friends who live like George Clooney “up in the air.” But I’ve been around. Like the old song says, “I’ve been everywhere, man.” I’ve been to every U.S. state at least once, most of them 3-4 times and a majority so many times I lost count. I’ve climbe the rocky beaches of Maine and Oregon, walked the sandy surf of Florida and California, and seen the oceans of Sweden, Israel, Greece, Italy, Cote ‘de Ivore, and Mexico. In the past decade, I’ve traveled more internationally, besides the places already mentioned, I’ve worked in Canada, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, and Moldova. In addition, I’ve toured Switzerland, France, and Germany.

And I’m still learning to “travel light.”

Right now, I’m holed up in a beach hotel in Kaua’i. My wife and I come here to relax, but it’s a working vacation as I spend next week speaking at a local church. She gets the beach, and I get to teach. Not sure how that works. But every year, after hauling cases of clothes and stuff around the island, I vow to pack less. And every year, I return with the usual army of roller bags. This year’s count for two people? Two large rollers. Three small rollers. A computer bag, purse, and CPAP machine.

 

Maybe next year. 

“Traveling light” can also mean something different.

For me, “traveling LIGHT” explains my role and responsibility…my purpose in life and work. It took me decades to define, but a few years ago I “rebranded” WHO I was and WHAT I do. I felt liberty in that process, learning I am a “light” to help people interpret history, navigate culture, and explore faith for transformative and trusted change. My job is to light the way. My work is to reveal obstacles and show the path. I pray my “light” provides hope, peace, gratitude, and joy.

We all travel.

We all are on a journey, from birth to death. Light or heavy. Short or long. Poor or rick. Good or bad. We all have emotional baggage packed that weighs us down. That’s what this blog is all about. It’s a new “travel” blog in conjunction with my latest work as a tour guide and host with MANNA! Tours.

In this blog I’ll share tips and tricks I’ve learned in my journeys on the road and in the air. However, I also want to be introspective and insightful. I want to authentically bleed my own “soulful” search for meaning, purpose, and contentment with life’s curves and imperfections. Finally, every post will include a song that’s part of my musical “travel playlist.” I have songs for Africa, Hawaii, Montana, mountains, oceans, and rivers. Music is my best friend on the road (unless my wife can join me).

Thank you for walking with me, friend. Let’s see where the wind takes us.

In life, we all journey solo, but it’s the friends we gather that make the trip a joy.

 

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HOW TO FLY FIRST CLASS!

With most U.S. domestic airlines, if you check two bags, it’ll cost and extra $80-100 in fees. Remember that when you book. Check the fares, because sometimes cheap is better…and sometimes not.

For example, last week I booked a flight on Delta. The cost to check two pieces was $80. I found a refundable main cabin fare for $400 (the cheap non-refundable was $325 with no choice of seat). A First Class ticket was priced at $450, however two bags (up to 70 lbs) flew free if you’re in Delta First Class.

BUY THE RIGHT TICKET FOR YOU!

Consequently, it made no sense to purchase the Main (refundable) at $400 because I’d have to shell out another $80 (total $480) for my bags. The problem with the nonrefundable ticket was no seat choice and these tickets also drop you down to steerage levels when it’s time to board, meaning you can wind up boarding last, getting stuck in middle seats at the back, and still checking your carry-on (because overhead bins are full).

YOU DESERVE A FIRST CLASS EXPERIENCE!

So I bought the First Class treatment (which isn’t much these days), but it’s early boarding (with drinks prior to takeoff), better snacks and meal (on longer flights), plus two bags fly free and you get more mileage credits. In this case, the real difference (financially) between First Class and non-refundable Main (back of the bus) was only $125. However, my flight experience was 100% better, first on and first off, and the extra mileage are nice adds.

BONUS TIP #1: UPGRADE, UPGRADE, UPGRADE!

I’m often too cheap to pay the $125 (or more) difference. So I buy the best seat I can afford (business-select seats have more leg room), then I wait and watch to UPGRADE. Last year I flew First Class more than half time simply by UPGRADING my ticket from Main to First Class a week or two prior to departure. Remember, you’re going to pay for checked bags so when the fee to upgrade matches or beats how much you pay to check bags, UPGRADE! By the way if you have a TON of mileage credits, use credits (not cash) to UPGRADE. Don’t let those mileage credits go to waste.

BONUS TIP #2: DRESS FOR SUCCESS!

If you’re traveling First Class, dress for the occasion…or at least look nice. You never know WHO you’ll be sitting next to. I’ve met several interesting persons over the years, including U.S. senators, Hollywood actors and musicians. You don’t want to be dressed in your jammies when you meet these types of people.

 

“Traveling Light” by Eric Clapton, from the album REPTILE (2001).