Global travel is one of my biggest hobbies. As a family, we traveled the world, even when my daughter was little. Now, my husband, George, and I take every opportunity to explore countries near and far.

In August 2015, we went with our daughter and her fiancé (now husband) on safari to South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. We rode elephants in the elephant sanctuary along the great Zambezi River (Figure 1). I was encouraged to put my hand inside an elephant’s mouth (Figure 2). It was absolutely amazing that we could come in such close contact with creatures so large and strong with minimal worry. In South Africa, we visited a wild cat sanctuary, where I was allowed to pet a baby cheetah (Figure 3).

I also enjoy oenology, the study of wine and wine making. George and I visit vineyards during our travels, taste wine, and pair local foods with the local grape varietals. We have tasted the red sparkling wines of Tasmania and visited the island of Malta, where they make a bright magenta wine from the prickly pear fruit.

One of our most memorable trips was to Pantelleria, a small island off the coast of Sicily. Passito di Pantelleria is a local dessert wine that is served chilled. It is light apricot in color and is made from grapes that are sun dried on straw mats and mixed with the local Zibibbo grape.

To find some quiet time away from my busy work life, my husband and I spend summer weekends at our cabin in northern Pennsylvania. We hike, walk, canoe, grill, and cherish moments with visiting family and friends around the small natural lake (Figure 4).