Why'd You Go?
Katy Maclure
We often brag about where we’ve traveled, but rarely do we share that exact moment that led us to book the ticket.
Perhaps it was a birthday milestone, a longing to trace your roots, or a realization you long for the road less traveled. Maybe it was the desire to get out of your comfort zone or an enduring (or not so enduring) love that made you book the first ticket out.
We’re calling this project “Why’d You Go?”, hoping to gather our community’s personal travel motivations to share and inspire other Jack's Travelers in The Detour and our social media this year.
For those of you needing a little inspo to get your juices flowing, here’s member Elizabeth’s why:
“My why happened on 14th September 2022 when my Dad passed away. I had just returned from my first solo trip round Portugal, and my parents from a cruise to Norway. He passed away 5 days later.
My best friend managed to persuade me to go on a trip to Verona and Lake Garda in December. Don’t get me wrong, I have travelled before, with friends, family, etc., but this trip was a lightbulb moment. I recall it finally hitting me that people actually do die, and I have a bucket list of places I wanted to visit.
Since then I have travelled far and wide, always taking my Dad’s memory with me and doing a mix of solo travel, with friends, volunteering, and also sometimes with my adult son. In early 2025 I started a project to bring my family tree to life and I am following my ancestors around the world. This even took me on a one month trip to South America where I followed their footsteps from the late 1870s to 1926.
I am not going to be on my death bed with any would have, could have or should haves. The nurses are going to be inundated with stories of different cultures and people I have met along the way. Maybe they will be influenced to go see the beauty in the people and places of this earth too.” - Elizabeth
Now it's over to you, intrepid Travelers!
What motivates you to travel? Have you been on a trip that meant more than most?
Share your why in the comments and help inspire others to get out there on those meaningful adventures!