Archibald's Adventures

Travel always sounds dreamy but for some it is out of reach or out of their comfort zone. The reasons for this can be any number of things such as: limited physical ability, social anxiety, mental/emotional well being, sensory processing delays, having small children, cognitive processing delays, unpredictable energy levels, ongoing health struggles, nutritional restrictions, language barriers and much more.  Even so, we know there are numerous benefits to traveling beyond just having fun. Travel is an incredibly valuable source of education and cognitive expansion. Whether we travel locally or abroad, we are experiencing something we had no previous knowledge of and that produces brain stimulation as well as an opportunity to learn about different ways of living. As we experience different cultures and practices we expand our perception and understanding of things that are different from our norm and find it easier to be more patient and compassionate toward people and practices that are foreign to us. That mental stimulation also sparks creative problem solving as well as artistic expression. Travel can strengthen and exercise our immune systems. Once we have navigated new territory successfully,  especially if there were challenges, we gain new levels of self efficacy and confidence. Traveling with a companion or family can deepen and strengthen relationships as well as give the involved parties a lifetime of shared memories and stories to tell. Lastly, the novelty of travel, the planning of the trip stirs all kinds of feel good chemicals in the body and helps reduce stress, anxiety and depression if executed in a healthy and mindful way.

I have always loved to travel. I have since I was a child. Something new and novel has always been of great appeal to me. I later learned that was partly because I am a woman and trip planning is almost as satisfying to us as the trip itself, but also because I have ADHD and novelty is a necessity for my overall happiness and enjoyment of life. As I grew up and the seasons and circumstances of life changed, I went through many different feelings about travel. At times it was too expensive but it was a desire. At times it was something I could afford but doing so with three small children was more exhausting than it was worth. I went through a season of life where my mental health was fragile and I couldn't travel without Charlie dog there to help me not get too anxious and disassociate. Even after my mental well being improved I still struggled with being an introvert and having auditory and cognitive processing delays that are challenging and disruptive if in a fast paced and unfamiliar environment. As of late, the travel challenges have been due to my anti-inflammatory naturalist nutrition choices and the declined physical abilities I still have as a result of my recent health crisis. A slower pace, lighter agenda and proper nervous system regulation is a must for my significant other as well.  These challenges have not stopped us from traveling but they have changed how we plan our travel, book our travel and execute our travel whether in the US or abroad. 

Over the past year we have spent a lot of time learning ourselves and what feels the best to us. We have learned that a lot of the travel advice out there just doesn't work for us. So much of it is about getting the most bang for your buck which includes seeing a dozen things in one day and walking yourself silly. Some travel vlogs are for the extra luxurious and some for the Chacos and backpack people. There seems to be very little discussion about low anxiety, comfortably accessible, resource conscious, high quality travel experiences. Travel that is focused on being fully open, present and available for immersion in the experience surrounding you. Experiences that are both carefully planned with intentionality but allow for soul honoring freedom for serendipitous moments. We decided we had to start sharing what we learn in each city we travel to as well as the process we go through to prepare for the most enjoyable and successful experience we could hope for each and every time.

We hope you will follow along and use as many of our tips as you find helpful to enable you to travel if you haven't been or to enhance the adventures you are taking.  When our travel involves flying we don't take Charlie dog. Although there are great and affordable options for flying with a pet. Charlie is just tall enough and just long enough (long wheel based dogs. smh) to not fit in a carrier that will slide all the way under an airplane seat. He has been getting a lot of farm time with his human sister while we are doing a bit of air travel. The goal is to build out a Ford Transit van and hit the open road together ASAP, with Charlie dog in tow. We love finding every possible way to make travel both accessible and enjoyable.