In 1998, I came to the realization that I hadn't traveled anywhere by air since late 1996. I needed a vacation, so I used my tax refund to fly to Atlanta. On that trip I realized that it was great fun to just go places. Since then, I've been taking pictures of the places I've visited for both business and pleasure. Here are some highlights of my trips.

It was a return trip to the Eastern Caribbean on Disney Cruise Line from April 5 to April 12, 2014. A group of seven of us made the journey to spread the ashes of Michael Kilmer at sea in St. Martin, and far from being a depressing trip it was a time for us to have fun remembering the good times, and making some new memories.

From July 7 to 11, 2013, it was a return visit to Mercer, Wisconsin, to burn up a few of my expiring vacation days. The trip gave me a chance to hike, bike, boat, and offer my blood as a food source for many different types of flying and crawling insects.

After months of not taking a vacation of more than a few days, I decided it was time to do the last-minute vacation thing from April 14 to April 21, 2013. My destination? The small town of Mishicot, Wisconsin, located in the northeast part of the state.

My trip to Washington was from March 6 to March 11, and I fled a snowy and cold Wisconsin and found myself in the midst of an early taste of spring. When I wasn't busy with USSYAA activities, I did have a little time to enjoy the good weather.

The United States Senate Youth Alumni Association called me to New York for its alumni gathering on September 13, 2012, so I decided to make a quick getaway out of it. I had two full days--September 12 and 13--to continue my exploration of this exciting city.

I like last-minute vacations in the tourist off-season, and this year, my last-minute vacation was to Cable, Wisconsin, better known for its winter activities than its spring season. I was there from May 5 to May 12, 2012.

I was in Washington for a long time this year, from March 1 to March 10. It was all in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the U.S. Senate Youth Program, as well as the handing of the gavel to our incoming president.

As part of my goal to travel more in 2011, I scheduled a week off to use some of my timeshare points in Peoria, Arizona, which is just to the north and west of Phoenix. From November 26 to December 3, I drove all over Arizona, visiting some places I last saw in 1996 and doing a few new things as well.

Two of my friends were celebrating their 20th anniversary, and arranged a Disney cruise to the Eastern Caribbean from October 22 to 29, 2011. I joined them on a voyage to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Disney's Castaway Cay in the Bahamas and had a great time.

It was a wedding that brought me to Kentucky in May 2011, and because it was just a long weekend--I flew in late on Friday, left late on Sunday--I had only a little time to check out the area and see what was going on in Louisville.

This year, I had some timeshare points to use up, so I decided to do a last-minute trade for a place in Minnesota I'd never been to--Breezy Point, located north of Brainerd. From April 23 to April 30, I toured Minnesota's quiet interior, and enjoyed a chance to relax without the crush of summer crowds.

My annual trip to Washington, DC, occurred from March 3 to March 10, 2011. When I wasn't working on USSYAA business, I was able to enjoy Washington and be a tourist, if only for a little while.

The USSYAA scheduled regional gatherings in Boston and New York on January 21 and January 24, 2011, and as president of the association it was a fantastic opportunity to meet several members of the organization. But when we weren't having our formal meetings, I had some time to tour both Boston and New York City.

October in Wisconsin is one of my favorite times of year, and I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a long weekend in Northern Wisconsin from October 13 to October 17, 2010. With some hiking and some good old relaxation, it was the right vacation at the right time.

After visiting South Carolina for all of about two hours in 1996, I decided to make the return journey for a full week (and then some) in 2010. From April 23 to May 1, 2010, I visited the Palmetto State to see the sights and enjoy the spring weather.

Washington, DC, is always a great place to visit. From March 4 to 11, 2010, I was back in the capital for the 12th Annual USSYAA weekend events, and I became president of the association. In my downtime between official activities, I always make time to see the sights, and these are some of those photos.

Summer road trips are a chance to see the country and experience life outside the city. Between July 18 and July 26, 2009, I drove 2,453 miles through 5 states and hiked more than 40.5 miles. I visited 2 breweries, 2 brewpubs, 2 national parks, 1 national monument, 1 national historic site, 1 national forest, 1 Minnesota state park, and 1 Minnesota historic site. As far as vacations go, it was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun.

My annual visit to Washington is always an oportunity to try new things, and from February 28 through March 6, 2008, I was active in both the US Senate Youth Alumni events and in broadening my horizons when time allowed.

A confluence of events brought me from Graph Expo in Chicago to Bayfield, Wisconsin, and on to the greater Bellingham, Washington, area. From September 11 to September 21, I was on two car ferries, two passenger ferries, and six airplane flights; and in two countries, four state parks, a national forest, and four brewpubs!

About a 300-mile drive from home, Bayfield, Wisconsin, is one of those places that I've always enjoyed visiting. It's a quiet place, with lots of things to do both on land and in Lake Superior. My visit to Bayfield was from July 22 to July 29, 2007.

Each year since 2000, I've been going to Washington, DC, for the annual meeting of the United States Senate Youth Alumni Association. This year, I had an extended period of time in Washington thanks to a special invitation from the William Randolph Hearst Foundations. From March 1 to March 8, 2007, I was in the capital.

Thanksgiving in 2006 was kind of interesting. I had dinner with my parents in Wisconsin, and then another dinner in Minnesota with my brother's family...two days later. When on the road, there's room for adventure, so that's what I did.

I'm very lucky that I have friends in both Japan and Sweden, and this summer I decided to pay both of them a visit...on the same trip. And while I was at it, I decided to go to the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom as well.

My brother lives in the Twin Cities area in Minnesota, and for Easter weekend in 2006 I paid a visit. There was plenty of time for hiking, and there are pictures from three state parks: two in Minnesota, and a state forest in Wisconsin.

Washington is a great city, and one of my favorite annual destinations. From March 3 to March 6, 2006, I took care of business for the USSYAA and managed to find some time to do some sightseeing as well.

After far too much time at home in Madison, I finally started burning some of my vacation days and headed to New Mexico. I wasn't quite sure what to expect in the Riudoso area, as I had done almost no research before going. Turns out I was able to have a really good time, doing a little bit of everything from brewpubbing to museum-going to wilderness hiking.

Each year, my trip to Washington, D.C., brings me to the city to conduct the business of the US Senate Youth Alumni Association. But, it's also a chance to see the sights and explore our nation's history. From a nighttime walking tour to the museums of the Smithsonian, there's always something to do in Washington between meetings.

Because a major project at work was postponed, I did my best to get out of town on February 4. I ended up in Chicago--which can be a fun place to visit, even in the dead of winter!

I like to travel around my birthday, and from July 20 through July 24, I was definitely out of town. My first two nights were spent in Las Vegas, Nevada; my second two nights were in Santa Rosa, California. Then I caught the red-eye flight to Madison. It was a quick vacation all over the west, with gambling, rides, hiking, and family.

This spring, I had the opportunity to spend a week in a timeshare condo in South Florida, and of course I took advantage of that opportunity. From April 24 through May 1, 2004, I explored the parks and beaches of Florida and experienced great weather, interesting wildlife, some off-the-beaten-track places.

From February 26, 2004, through March 4, 2004, my travels took me to Washington, D.C., for my seventh visit to the city. Every year, in addition to my duties as a member of the USSYAA board, I manage to find time to see different sights and learn new things. Here are some pictures from this particular visit.

Every once in a while I get the opportunity to take a weekend trip with a friend, and from February 6 to February 8, 2004, I went to Chicago with my friend Jason. While he worked, I played, and visited museums and with other friends in the Chicago area. Here are a few photos from Chicago on a cold day.

Holidays are about family, and from December 24 through January 1, I flew to California to visit my brother and his family for the Christmas season. Along the way, I took some time to visit San Francisco and points south, and as usual there are plenty of photos of what I've been up to.

I needed a quick vacation, so from November 7 to 9, 2003, I headed up to Door County to enjoy some of the state parks in that area. Though the temperature was hovering right around 32 degrees the entire time, I managed to get out and hike in three state parks and enjoy some cold, crisp weather--without the crowds.

From May 17 to May 25, 2003, I journeyed around Lake Superior from Minnesota to Ontario to Michigan with my friends Lisa and Michael Kilmer. Waterfalls and lighthouses dominated our road trip, which involved more than 1,800 miles of driving--and plenty of photos.

Washington, D.C. The capital of the United States, and the location for the annual United States Senate Youth Alumni Association membership meeting. I visited DC from February 27 through March 3, 2003, and while I didn't take too many pictures, I had a good time checking out the new spy museum and meeting with the USSYAA group.

From November 22 through December 3, 2002, I was on vacation in California, visiting family and seeing the sights. Charles Schulz. Yosemite. Wineries. Brewpubs. Alcatraz. It's all part of this Thanksgiving-time trip!

From July 18 through July 28, 2002, I was on a road trip to see the American West. Scotts Bluff National Monument, Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Devil's Tower National Monument, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and Badlands National Park are among the sites I visited in detail. Check out this section if you're interested in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota!

Late in the day on Thursday, May 2, 2002, I decided that I was going to spend the weekend in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Manitowoc is a city of about 37,000 located on the shores of Lake Michigan. I've always been a fan of the Great Lakes, so taking a weekend and heading off to Lake Michigan seemed like a great thing to do at the beginning of spring.

It seems as though I've become a creature of habit. From February 28 through March 3, 2002, I was in Washington, DC, for the third year in a row. In addition to the annual meeting of the USSYAA, I spent a day walking in Washington, seeing the sights on foot.

My good friends Michael and Lisa Kilmer chose to renew their wedding vows for their tenth anniversary, and I accompanied them to Ashland, Wisconsin, from September 20 to September 23, 2001. After the events of September 11, it felt good for all of us to be on vacation, sightseeing, and simply among friends.

From February 23 to March 4, 2001, I took a vacation to visit my friend Eric in North Carolina and to go to the USSYAA meeting in Washington, DC. There are no photos from North Carolina, but I was sure to take plenty of pictures while in sightseeing mode in Washington from February 26 onward.

In late June 2000, I had places to go and people to see. The official reason for my trip to Ohio was a trip to a Dave Matthews Band concert; unofficially, I was just out there to visit my friend Stephanie and have a good time.

In February 2000, I made the journey to Washington, DC, to go to the second meeting of the United States Senate Youth Alumni Association, of which I am a member. While I was in Washington, I reacquainted myself with the city and enjoyed a long weekend of sightseeing.

At Thanksgiving 1999, I became one of the millions of travelers who got to experience the fun of holiday travel. I paid a visit to my brother and sister-in-law in Rohnert Park, California, and spent a lot of time driving around the San Francisco area and parts north.

After his teaching stint in Japan, my friend Eric moved to North Carolina. Another friend, Jason Anderson, accompanied me to North Carolina to visit Eric and his wife in October 1999. We spent most of our time around New Bern, which is in the southern part of the state.

What brought me to Providence in 1998 brought me back in 1999. Though I didn't take any side trips outside of the business trip, I did enjoy a nice evening with other people from the conference at a resort in Newport, Rhode Island.

My good friend Stephanie Bidgood moved to Columbus, Ohio, and in February 1999 I paid her a visit for her birthday. I spent a long weekend touring the greater Columbus area, and even took a side trip to Dayton to see the Air Force Museum.

When friends and family move away, it provides a great opportunity to travel. At the end of October 1998, I flew to Northern California to visit my brother Dean, who was living in an apartment in Rohnert Park at the time. While there, I cruised the coast, and took a trip across the mountains to Reno, Nevada.

In August 1998, my travels took me to Japan to visit my good friend Eric Obershaw, who was a teacher in the tiny town of Ogoe at the time. While in Japan we rode the shinkansen throughout the country and I had a fantastic two-week vacation.

Business sometimes takes me away, and in June 1998 I had the opportunity to travel to Providence. After work was done, I continued my travels, and visited Boston and New Haven. While I don't have any good pictures from New Haven, I have some great pictures of both Providence and Boston.