Charlestown’s Happy Wanderers travel the U.S. and abroad

By Danielle Rexrode
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

If you lived at Charlestown, it wouldn’t be a question of ‘Where are,’ but ‘where aren’t you going this winter or any season for that matter?’

“We’ve been to Branson, Missouri, Williamsburg, Virginia, Radio City Music Hall, the Panama Canal, Quebec, California, The Mexican Riviera and many other places,” says Nancy Ward who organizes the Charlestown travel group, the Happy Wanderers.

Bitten by the travel bug
Bill Davis, a seasoned traveler who lives at Charlestown attended the Branson trip along with Nancy and his Charlestown neighbors.

“I enjoyed it, it was very interesting,” says Bill, who has traveled Europe and visited every state in America. “I was in the army when I toured Europe. And then I traveled a lot for business. I would always take my wife with me and make time at the end of the trip to do some sightseeing. Since I moved to Charlestown I’ve been on four cruises and every year I go to Sunfest in Ocean City, Maryland.  I would love to go back to the Grand Canyon or Hawaii—they’re both such amazing places.”

Nancy was also bitten by the travel bug years before moving to Charlestown. “I moved to Charlestown 13 years ago. But before that, my husband and I traveled all over the world. We’ve been to Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, England–lots of wonderful places. My favorite was a cruise we took to Greece. It was a beautiful, captivating place–just marvelous!”

This past spring Nancy and 50 fellow Charlestown travelers went on a four night, five day road trip to Wildwood, New Jersey.

“When you travel in a group you can get really good deals,” says Nancy. “This particular trip was very affordable and included two meals each day, show tickets, and a trip to Cape May.”

Walter Wode was only recently bit by the “bug” but has already been on 15 trips since moving to Charlestown three years ago.