EVERY time I tell another woman about a trip I took on my own, I hear this. And every time I do, I know that in her heart she's also saying, "but I WANT to." I can see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice.

You most likely have come to this site from my own little corner of the web, www.hoboannie.com

If so, you maybe got a chance to get to know me a little. So you know that I come from a long line of adventurous women. And that I have traveled all the way to China and many places in between.

What you might not realize is that I only started being so "brave" AFTER 9/11/2001. Yup, I was coerced into my first trip abroad by my loving husband just six months after we all sat stunned, watching planes being used as vehicles of destruction. Scared? Hell, yes.

I made my way, alone, through the huge maze of LAX, lightly dosed with anti-anxiety meds and heavily dosed with Dramamine. I remember hearing my gate called, and then the whole airport lobby started spinning. I would have turned right then and run...but I was too busy trying to stay upright. One step at a time, I made my way onto the plane, repeating my husband's last words to me like a mantra: "Honey, all you have to do is get on the plane."

So there it is. My first gem for you. Because it is TRUE. Once you are on that plane, it is too late to turn back. And amazingly, I began to be more excited than afraid. You will be too. Everything you hold onto so tightly: the schedules, the cell phone, the what-will-they-do-without-me anxiety; you'll let them go and start to envision how much fun you are going to have ON YOUR OWN.

We are not joined at the hip to our husbands, kids, friends. We may all be traveling the same road, but geez, didn't you ever want to take that intriguing side trail without having to worry about everyone else's needs? Imagine just for a minute how nice it would be to only have yourself to provide for. See what you want, stay as long as you want, eat now or later, walk farther if you are curious...without the a huge discussion with your fellow travelers every single time. It's about spontaneity. It's about YOU.

I don't want to hear "I could never..." come out of your mouth. I want you to say instead, "I'd love to do that. I'll find a way. I deserve to see and do things that enrich me, and I don't need to hold anyone's hand to do that."

Feel free to explore the links I am providing in these pages. They are places I have found helpful. Please email me with how you do. Pictures of you finding your 'hobo' in faraway places are welcome. Planning a trip for your very own self can be as much fun as going! And close to home 'field trips' are a fine place to start small. We are all hobos at heart!