37 Comments
User's avatar
Cherie Lee's avatar

Have a wonderful trip, Joan!! How very, very exciting!

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

Thanks Cherie! I’m excited to be there again. Hope all is well with you and yours … and that beautiful baby boy! 💙☺️🤗

Expand full comment
Kate's avatar

Welcome back to Australia! However, you mentioned five states - there are six states plus two territories, so which one did you forget? It wouldn’t be the biggest one of all, would it? The one that covers the western third of the continent? I would love to see you visit my wonderful home state of Western Australia!

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

😅 Victoria! What happens when I write all knowy and sure of my self; forget one last edit! 🙄I know the Northern Territory and the ‘land’ of Canberra/Aus Capital. Yulara is WA, right? I’m going there again. So interesting to me the outback actually covers three (3)? Of the states and not it’s own state. Thanks for catching this, Kate, for helping me out here….i will correct! Appreciate you reading and caring! ☺️🫶🥰

Expand full comment
Lisa Carpenter's avatar

What a fabulous mother-daughter adventure! I’m so happy for you to return to the place that holds your heart. Can’t wait to read all about it. Cheers and safe travels!

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

Thanks, dear Lisa.i do look forward to time with my brother… just the two of us reminiscing….helping each other

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

Remember when! 😅☺️

Expand full comment
Lisa Carpenter's avatar

I get that!🙃

Expand full comment
Susan Baker's avatar

Safe travels! Looking forward to hearing of your adventures!

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

Thank you, Susan! Appreciate you reading and caring ☺️🫶

Expand full comment
Joanie Madsen's avatar

How wonderful! Savor and enjoy dearest Joanie! Can't wait to hear of your adventures, and truly nothing better than this precious family/friend's time. We just had my brother-in-law visit from Utah to the island, and we it was the BEST! Laughed till our sides ached. Safe and happy travels. A "watered" down Thelma and Louise?? Do tell! LOL! 😂💞🦘

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

Yes, there’ll be so much laughing! Aussies are just fun, happy people! You are right, nothing better than family time… especially when it’s been awhile! Let you know how it goes with this travel buddy… may not be the same as with a peer! 😅🤔😏Thanks for your kind words and for caring, dear Joanie. 🥰🫶

Expand full comment
Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Joan! I knew this was getting close! I am so happy for you and your daughter to be going back to Australia! I can't imagine being away from my brother for that long and you certainly need this! Love the stories and pictures of the past visits! Safe travels! Enjoy every single minute! Love you. oxox

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

I’m delighted she wants to go with me! Just a few more weeks and we’re off! Thanks for reading and caring my friend, for your kind words and love! 🥰 Much love back to you! 🤗☺️🫶

Expand full comment
Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Yay! You will have a great time! I’m sure your brother is excited too! Hope the weekend is peaceful! I can see all the packing things spread around! Always exciting! You sound like a very clever packer! Love you. ox

Expand full comment
Denyse Whelan Writes Here's avatar

Have a wonderful time!

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

Thanks, Denyse! Appreciate you

Reading and your interest in this adventure of mine! 🥰🤗

Expand full comment
Laura | Sunhats and Chardonnay's avatar

Thanks so much for the shout out, Joan.

Currently in far north Queensland with friends and dodging rain storms.

Expand full comment
Beth L. Gainer's avatar

Joan, such a great thing to look forward to! And it'll be nice to have your daughter come along! Enjoy!!

Expand full comment
Graciewilde's avatar

I loved reading about your previous adventures there! Such wonderful memories! And now? Now it is time to create even more! Safe and fun travels!

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

Bless your heart reading my other stories… thank you for that! I was nine years younger and more resilient then… hoping I’ll get that same ooomph when I get back. Another camel ride yes, but not the long hot haul around Uluru again! 😅 Thanks as always for reading and cheering me on! Love you, sweet friend! 🫶☺️💕

Expand full comment
Simone Senisin's avatar

Hi Joan, would love to catch up, though l live in Victoria and she holds another beauty of her own, having a different climate to where you’re going. A bit cooler down here though. Have a fabulous time catching up with family and friends. 😊💜👍

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

Wouldn’t that be fun, Simone! If any possibility we’d come to Melbourne area, I’ll lyk! The rains in north QLD are dictating plan changes so we may look elsewhere. Appreciate you reading and reaching out! 🤗🥰

Expand full comment
Simone Senisin's avatar

Melbourne is a beautiful city and l live only 40km in from Lorne on the iconic Great Ocean Road … just saying 🤣🤣😊. And it will be Autumn 👍

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

Okay…good to know! Thank you! ☺️🤗

Expand full comment
Jane Chapman's avatar

Enjoy your trip. I am nearby (NZ) but not close enough for coffee! I have a son living and working there so we visit occasionally.

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

Thanks Jane! I’m excited to share it all with my daughter this time! We have limited time but if we must extend… NZ would be a possibility! North or South Island best for warm weather, sights to see?

Expand full comment
Jane Chapman's avatar

Depends on what sights you want to see. It will start getting cooler by March as we head into autumn. The South Island has the best scenery and lovely autumn colours if you time it right.

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

Good to know! I’ll lyk if it works out! Thank you! ☺️🫶

Expand full comment
Diane’s Blue Forum 👩‍💻's avatar

Joan, wonderful photo essay!

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

Thank you as always, Diane…and for restacking this. Appreciate how supportive and encouraging you are to me! Much love, dear friend! ☺️🤗💕

Expand full comment
Susan Niemann's avatar

Joan, how exciting. I cant wait to see pictures and hear about this trip. I have never been outside the US except Canada and Mexico. I’m really hoping this is the year to fix that. Safe travels and enjoy every minute!

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

Thanks, Susan…I’ll send photos for sure! I hope you do consider an overseas trip… great experience for sure. Appreciate your enthusiasm for me, love you! 🫶🥰💕

Expand full comment
Joel Wisniewski's avatar

Crikey! Ya better brush up on the Aussie. If anyone calls you a Shelia it's ok. They didn't just mispronounce your name. I wish I was having a tinny by the barbie right now.

G'day, Joel

Oh, and don't forget your lappy.

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

😅Thanks, Joel…I sure am! Methinks you’re an Aussie, or familiar with the country??

I say rellies and brelly weather and walkabout and other words that just pop out my mouth! In fact, I should have clarified straya… so used to my family referring to their home that way. Aus is pronounced oz etc. Thanks for reading and helping me out here! 🥰🫶👍

Expand full comment
Rona Maynard's avatar

You’re in for a great adventure. I wish my mother and I could have gone exploring together as grownups.

Expand full comment
Joan Stommen's avatar

We have had a few weekend getaways over the years, but this is a big deal for her! Grateful she’s going…always nice to have a travel buddy. Thanks for reading Rona! 🫶☺️

Expand full comment