Our Complete Story
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When our two children were only seven and five, my wife, Renee, and I began a 17+ year roller coaster ride regarding our life-long dream: to travel extensively.
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In 2002, things suddenly changed dramatically for our family. At only 42 years of age, I suffered an unexpected, life-threatening brain injury that left me fully disabled. I was in a coma for three days. When I came out of my coma, I discovered I had lost all voluntary-based body functionality. I spent an additional seven days in the hospital ICU. Following this, I spent ten weeks at a nearby rehab hospital. I could not get out of bed except for the last few days in the rehab hospital. I was stuck there, day in and day out, with nothing to do. Although I was permanently disabled, I feel very blessed to have survived.
In the following years, due to my disabilities, it became clear that the dream Renee and I shared had to be put on the back burner of our life. We had other responsibilities, and it seemed impossible to travel.
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Even so, as the years progressed and we adjusted to this new way of life, we started to travel. We were able to make short trips to visit close relatives, especially for major celebrations. These short trips gave us hope that when Renee retired, we'd at least be able to achieve somewhat of our life-long dream: to travel extensively.
Life continued on, and in March 2018, our lives took a tumble for the second time.
Renee was diagnosed with two types of cancer, one of which was very rare and extremely aggressive. This changed everything. ​​We immediately stopped thinking of anything other than finding a cure for Renee.
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Right from the start, she received outstanding medical care.
In addition, she was blessed with the help of a different nature: she received an outpouring of love, prayers, and support from her wonderful family, her entire work community, and all her incredible friends.
As months went by, she responded positively to treatment and things began looking up. As we had before, we began to entertain the idea of traveling short distances.
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Sadly, in the early months of 2019, things took a turn for Renee.
Finally, in June of 2019, we decided it was best for her to enter at-home hospice care.
​​Nonetheless, Renee was single-minded in her belief and stalwart in her efforts
to survive her bouts with cancer.
In surviving cancer, she knew that she, too, would be disabled. Realistically, our plans to travel and see all of the beautiful places in this world were once again shattered.
Not wanting to just accept our fate, I recalled a germ of an idea from many years ago. With all of the technology available to us, is it possible to fulfill our dream … virtually? In the little time I had while caring for Renee, I proceeded to research and think about this idea.
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I thought through the necessities to travel virtually. After extensive research, I was determined to put this information onto a website. I thought, even if only for our personal use, it was worth it.
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Unfortunately, in October of 2019,
prior to the finishing of our website, Renee passed away.
​I created this website for people like Renee and myself—those who are unable to travel for any reason but still have the desire to explore beautiful places.
However, I believe everyone can use this website.
Sure, it is great to travel physically. Yet, it can be just as great to travel virtually!​
In closing, in honor of Renee,
I am very pleased to make this website available to everyone - 100% free of charge!