Let us introduce ourselves. We are Deed and Ron Wilkerson. Where to begin? We were each born into lower middle class pre–World War II families, I (Ron) was from New Jersey and travel was defined as a weekend in Wildwood, New Jersey, and Deed was from Ohio and as a young girl a family outing might take her as far as Lake Erie --- and there our travels ended. But travel was on our horizon.  

We were married on a warm summer night in 1963 and began our foreign travels the next day. When not in the classroom we have been traveling hand in hand ever since. I’m 88 and my beautiful bride is 85 and the itch to travel still runs, although more slowly, through our hardening veins.  We recently returned from a 5-week driving tour through Devon, the Cotswold and the beautiful Yorkshire dales in Merry Ol’ England. It was to be a “final trip” to reconnect with some of our favorite hiking paths near our favorite English villages. During the 5-week trip we rented 3 different historic cottages in 3 different villages each for 11-13 days. There are thousands of similar cottages waiting “to let” throughout the UK. 

So, do we qualify as a “crusty ol’ couple”? Well, we are certainly not hip, or “with-it”, or trendy unless Nat King Cole is trendy, and a very late evening for us comes yawning to a close at 10:30.  

Furthermore, if you are ready to motorcycle across the Serengeti then we probably do not have the answers to your questions. Have a nice trip. But, if you are ready for Ireland or Scotland, or a canal boat adventure in France, or a summer evening in a trattoria in Florence, or a little Mozart in Saltzburg, or the Christmas markets in Munich, or a hike in the Alps then let’s roll up our sleeves and let’s make a plan. 

Also, we think it will help you to know our motivation in creating this blog. It’s really very basic. Our trips are winding down --- that’s not being morbid, or morose but simply putting a name to reality. The suitcase is no longer my friend. I’m almost 90, and 90 is beginning to smell like old cheese.  

Plus, Deed likes to keep me out of the bars at night and works hard to keep me busy and creative, so she suggested that I write a Blog. I quickly agreed and got busy finding out what the hell a Blog is. 

Therefore, the motivation for the blog is to keep Deed and me thinking about the wonders of travel, to keep me out of trouble (which makes Deed happy), and to help older people embrace the wonders of independent travel. 

Join us!