Exploring on My Doorstep

This upcoming year doesn't show much hope for travel for our family.  I've been a bit sad about that.  I'm hopeful for one big trip this year for our 20th wedding anniversary this summer. The possibilities are endless, which is exciting. We'll see!

Seriously though, what do I have to complain about?!  I am within a few hours drive from places like Canterbury, Dover, Oxford, numerous castles, ruins, gorgeous churches, 

Converted Church in Surrey

quaint fishing villages, not to mention one of THE most popular cities in the world with endless things to see and do! 

London's Westminster Abbey

Some of my fellow travel blogger buddies have inspired me to make these day trips a reality this year!

Elena had me swooning over her photos of Windsor Palace from her trip in early Fall. It's a one hour drive from me!

Gina's beautiful photos of Stonehenge have me wanting to drive west!!  Two hours from my doorstep! 

Bonnie's every day life in Bath, England and just being able to pop into The Roman Bath's on any given day!  Or Sarah's trip to this same beautiful city, taking in the sites on an historical walking tour.  I absolutely loved her photos of Bath's Royal Crescent.  Bath, a 2.5 hour drive from my town!

Visiting all these places will keep us busy in 2014! That said, I also wanted to find things in my immediate area that I could easily do on my own while the kids are in school. I decided to search pinterest.  I'd previously used it before to find exotic places I've dreamed of traveling to, why I had never thought to do a local area search before now is beyond me.  I found so much out there. Beautiful sites practically on my doorstep, in my back yard!!  

My goal.....to get out and explore the immediate area around me once every week or two!  And Alison's Walk With Me challenge goes along nicely with my goal and gives me some incentive!

I might not be able to travel further across Europe or beyond right now, but I'll do my best to be content to do plenty of local exploring, camera in hand!