Here I am looking quite perplexed. Okay, I always look this way but this time I have a good excuse. I'm staring at my new international cell phone. Supposedly this phone works right this minute in 185 countries. People back home can call me using a US number and they'll find me. Well, assuming I have it turned on. 

I bought this to take with us on our upcoming Europe trip. This will be my fourth kids' trip to Europe and I've never even remotely considered taking a cell phone in the past. I do carry a small laptop which I use to check email and to post photos. But this cell phone will offer one more option.

It all brings back memories of my very first kids' trip to Europe in 1981. There were no cell phones then, no computers you could possibly carry, no email, no web. No common currency (euros) either. Each country had its own currency and we were constantly changing bills and losing money with each border crossing. We were gone five weeks and parents had no clue where we were for five weeks except for the first and last couple of nights. We could have called home if we needed to from a pay phone, but no way parents could have reached us. None needed us and we didn't need them. It was an incredible experience and one of the reasons I'm still taking these trips now.

I can't wait to arrive in Brussels, Belgium to begin our 20-day Europe trip this July. Just like the adventure in 1981, kids will decide where to go, what to see, how long to stay. What an experience! An amazingly, leader Ray Thompson who was with me on the 1981 trip (along with wife Nancy) will be returning this summer. Ray was also with me on the 2009 adventure.

Kids and parents are already expressing early interest in the next Europe by Eurail trip - in 2015. Click for more info.

Former MTA leader Craig Jolly is making progress in his walking adventure across America. He started walked from Mt. Mitchell (NC) in July and has Mt. Whitney (CA) as his destination. It took months to get through Texas and as of this week it looks like he's made it to New Mexico. 

This photo comes from Roswell and anyone who has studied space visitors knows this is a mecca of the unknown.

Craig doesn't post news on his website so it's like a puzzle figuring out where he is ...and that's the way he wants it. Click to go to his personal trip blog.

While the MindStretch Travel Adventures blog isn't meant to be the source of information on Craig, it's amazing how many of his followers search this site to get the latest news on Craig. 

And while Craig would not approve of my mentioning this...you can also donate to his expenses by clicking on his PayPal link. You might want to "sponsor" his getting to eat out at a restaurant or to buy some new walking shoes.

Click to donate.

This is, after all, quite some undertaking.

Safe travels Craig. You're an inspiration.

In just a few weeks I'm off to the West Virginia mountains with an incredible group of campers and leaders. One week after that returns we're off with a separate group to Europe. I would have never guessed that when I took my first trip in 1978 I would still be doing this over 35 years later. I'm lucky and privileged to have had this opportunity. Thanks to all.

Oh, just so you know...the photo above is NOT from my first travel camp experience. I just borrowed it from the web.