Every man must tell his own tale.
-CS Lewis
The newspaper lies, the radio lies, the TV lies, the streets, they howl with the truth.
-Henry Miller
I arise in the morning torn between a desire to change the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.
-E.B.White
All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.
-Samuel Johnson
One of the most important reasons to travel is to know what it feels like to be a foreigner.
-A.A. Gill
Don’t waste life in doubts and fears; spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour’s duties will be the best preparation for the hours and ages that will follow it.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Speak of God not on the borders of life but at its centre. God is the beyond in the midst of our life.
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
All Joy reminds. It is never a possession, always a desire for something longer ago or further away or still “about to be.”
-CS Lewis
Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond and we cease to be alone.
-Wendell Berry, A Place on Earth: A Novel
Turning back can be the most important yet difficult decision of all, particularly when there is so much pressure to succeed. If you see yourself as trying to beat the mountain, eventually the mountain will win. You don’t conquer mountains, you cooperate with them.
-Stacy Allison
Travel, I was coming to realize, was a metaphor not only for the countless options life offers but also for the fact that choosing one option reduces you to the parameters of that choice. Thus, in knowing my possibilities, I also knew my limitations.
-Rolf Potts
Growing maturity is marked by the increasing liberties we take with our traveling.
-CS Lewis, Surprised by Joy
The chance you had is the life you got. . . . You mustn’t want to be somebody else.
-Wendell Berry, Hannah Coulter
I love the Rolf Potts quote. Before taking the leap to travel long term, I was inspired by his book– Vagabonding. Best of luck on your journey!
Yes! His stories played a huge role in shaping this dream. I remember listening to Rick Steves interview Rolf for his podcast several years ago; I tracked down a copy of Vagabonding from the library, read it in an eye-blink, and eventually bought my own copy at Powell’s Books. Then, I cajoled my husband and a few friends into coming with me to BootsnAll’s 10 Year Anniversary party back in…2008…and got a big kick out of meeting Rolf in person.
It’s empowering to hear voices of action!
Thanks so much for saying hello, Amber. I really enjoy your writing and photos from the road… Safe travels to you.