Bringing Down the White Picket Fence
A Couple's Quest to Live Globally
Meet Paul and Michelle
Committed to traveling wherever we can, whenever we can, and documenting our journeys through photography and writing. Paul takes the photos; Michelle does the writing. You wouldn’t want it any other way. Happy Travels! Paul and Michelle
I spent the night in this dress, sandwiched in an economy class seat in a pressurized capsule that transported me across the Atlantic. In France, in the early morning hours, Paul lugged my suitcase up the narrow wooden steps to our third floor apartment, and I pulled up a chair to my favorite window in all of Paris. Here I’ve watched a man stop daily to feed the pigeons. I’ve watched young… Read More
Another cafe; this one in Provence. How many stories can we tell with just one photo? I’d say the guy in the shorts, legs crossed and hands placed perfectly upon his leg, is pretty pleased with his ponytailed friend. She’s said something that’s made him proud. He’s impressed. What about the woman just behind the lady in the fancy dress and the cute shoes? She’s at the cafe next door, but she’s… Read More
Have you ever picked up the New York Times, read about a place, and told yourself that one day you’ll go there? Do you really mean it? Do you cut it out and save it and show it to anybody who will listen? “Read this. Doesn’t this sound great?” That’s Healdsburg. It didn’t happen right away. We read the article and two years or so later, we made it happen. We planned… Read More
This photo was taken out the window of our hotel room in Lyon, France. Usually, I remember the names of every hotel and restaurant we’ve stayed at, but this one, I can’t recall. This usually means there wasn’t anything memorable about it, or I didn’t like it, but there are so many memories from our stay in this hotel that are just…funny. Here are a few: You had to walk through the… Read More
This is pure happiness. Headphones, a good book, and the French countryside. This high-speed train swept me from Paris to Lyon and then to Provence. Another summer after a stressful school year (as if I knew what stress was then). This country taught me how to take deep breaths. I savored every minute of calm, and now I long to go back.
I long for this. Sitting by the water in short sleeves, reading a book by the water with a huge Ferris wheel looming over me. It’s Seattle in August. It could be a guidebook to Japan or a bartender’s manual of cocktails. Perhaps it’s his own novel. Whatever it is, this man is going places.
I’m always looking for a good bike to ride when I’m traveling. As long as I can get myself on the right path within good distance of the city streets, I am ready to ride. We rented these bicycles from the Westin Bayshore Vancouver and took a ride along the water on the bike path around the park. We pulled over to take in this incredible view of the city before heading… Read More
I could look at this photo for hours. There is so much life here; so many stories, dreams, worries, and thoughts. There are people smiling, enjoying a night out with friends, while others sit and speculate. I could pick any person from this scene and tell their tale. Of course, it would be a work of pure fiction, as I’m sure I could never truly know what that man is wondering about,… Read More
One of the best ways to see San Francisco is with the tour company Vantigo. On the San Francisco City Tour, a Volkswagen bus picks you up right from your hotel to take you on a ride around Fog City. You’ll stop several times along the way to capture great photos while checking out Twin Peaks and the Golden Gate Bridge. Your driver will give you the full rundown of the history… Read More
They say the third time is a charm, and I think Paul and I agree, this trip to California wine country was the best one yet. We did it all wrong the first time, improved upon it significantly the second time, and nailed it the third time. While I don’t regret any of our travel adventures, we often learn from our experiences. So, let’s recap: Trip #1-On our month-long cross country trip,… Read More
Bringing Down the White Picket Fence 