5 essential steps to identifying our next adventure.
The frequency of our trips as an unholy union has inarguably been the topic of conversation with anyone we meet (also – take that active voice). The secret to our frequent travels isn’t luck—it’s a Shane -proven strategy. Here is the exact blueprint Shane and I use to navigate the globe as a family of five.
Yes, we travel a lot. Frankly, each year we find what little time we have for “one more trip”
Shane and I have always had a flair for adventure – thus the Shadrian Chronicles at the start of our unholy union. We loved exploring. That was literally one of the [two] things we had in common. The other – we both liked dudes . But hey, we had travel. Match made in rainbow heaven.
It was comical – the comments we would often receive from others in these earlier days were mostly comparitive – ” I’d love to, but I have kids” or “must be nice to not have kids”. But what I appreciated most was that people still enjoyed talking to us about our trips.
Since having kids and bringing in the three neediest children on this Earth, we have somehow increased our travels. Thus, the adventure known as TDA – Two Dad Adventure. I like that it’s almost like PDA – because Shane and I are not about that life.
Travel for me has always been a cultural experience. I would say that Shane has a somewhat similar viewpoint of traveling. Although, he prefers seeing landscape and animals and culture comes at a decent third place to those two. Shane has always placed animals above people so that makes sense.
One thing that has come up in our past is the question “How do y’all choose the location where you are going to travel?” Often with some jokes about us spinning the globe and stopping on a country or throwing a dart at a map. But I write this for perspective. So here are our steps.
STEP 1: Curate Your Ultimate Bucket List
Don’t just dream—document. We maintain a living “Adventure and Experience Manifesto” in a physical Moleskine (no – not sponsored). Every road trip, we obsessively refine it. Really – what else would you do on a 6 hour road trip? Crucially, we always audit every destination for safety and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. We don’t just pick a spot on the map; we ensure that our family will be safe while experiencing the best the world has to offer.
Step 2: Hunt for Irresistible Value
We don’t wait for prices to drop; we command them to. By leveraging precision Google Flight alerts or other services, we’ve scored “impossible” deals—like $450 tickets to the pristine waters of French Polynesia. Luxury was the goal, but strategic savings are always the rule. If the price doesn’t hit our target, we don’t blink. We will be alerted when it does hit the target.
Step 3: Define the Mission
Every journey has a purpose. Before booking, we categorize the trip: is this a high-energy “friend expedition,” a restorative “couples’ escape,” or a chaotic-but-magical “family odyssey”? We respect our individual passions (even if that means Shane heads to Comic-Con while I opt for the winer tasting).
Step 4: Secure the Vision Early
Procrastination is the enemy of exploration. To guarantee the best experiences, we lock in our major voyages 6 to 12 months in advance. Whether it’s an immersive Airbnb for cultural depth or a premier hotel for pure indulgence, early action ensures we never settle for leftovers.
Step 5:y Weaponize Your Rewards
Stop leaving money on the table. We treat credit card points as travel currency. By mastering our card benefits and “stacking” rewards, we transform everyday spending into free hotel nights and upgraded experiences. If you aren’t maximizing your value, you’re overpaying for your memories.
And that’s it. That’s the blog. Traveling easily and traveling wisely. If you are looking at expending your travel portfolio and want to be creative on how you achieve it, feel free to reach out by comment or message. Shane LOVES talking travel – and traveling cheaply.
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The TRAVEL POINTS is where it is at!!