Chasing Dreams and UNESCO World Heritage Sites Amidst a Pandemic (Intro)

Six friends chasing dreams and dodging a pandemic.

I didn't really think I would ever have to cut a "once in a lifetime" vacation short due to a pandemic, but there we were.

The stuff we were hearing 8 days into a 14 day vacation was starting to become a reality. Countries were shutting the borders in a knee jerk reaction to a new Virus spreading fast.

The previous 8 days were care free. It consisted of 6 friends chasing dreams, UNESCO World Heritage sites, bucket-list soccer games, and driving all over the UK. On top of that, we were hiking over 10 miles a day and driving through the night to hit the next destination, on a tight schedule.

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to start back near the beginning on a trip I was not even originally invited on! I would like to make this a multi part series. The days were pretty much separated into different cities, so I think that would work pretty well.

"Some of the people I have met in the UK are some of my very close friends still to this day."

The trip started out as three mutual friends wanting to hit a bucket list soccer game to see THEIR team play on home turf at Old Trafford. You guessed correctly, Manchester United.

I caught wind of the trip when everyone was hanging out at my shop, as we were all friends when it came to cars. Our mutual passion among about 10 of us for quite a few years. The guys were talking about going to the UK to see a soccer game and I chimed in that I had been to the UK many times over the years.

I import/export cars to and from the UK as a fun thing to do on the side of my automotive repair business. I had been back and forth meeting with clients and making new friends every time I went. Some of the people I have met in the UK are some of my very close friends still to this day.

I had mentioned that I had been all over the country and the guys immediately jumped on the opportunity for me to be their chaperon like one does for their kids field trip. I am about 8-10 years older than them so I quickly and gratefully obliged.

So it was set. Travel plans were made. Impossible tickets were acquired, an INCREDIBLY ambitious travel itinerary was made by yours truly. We set out on a 14 day, once in a life time trip.

Part 1 COMING ASAP!!