Sometimes life takes you on a journey you never planned.

When I started Take The Trip by Brian, the idea was simple: encourage people to get out, explore, try new things, and create memories. I’ve always believed the best stories aren’t found sitting at home — they’re found somewhere along the road, around a dinner table, on a cruise ship, or in a conversation with someone you just met.

But somewhere along the way, life got busy.

The blog that started as a place to share my adventures slowly took a backseat. Not because I stopped loving travel, but because my journey took a different direction.

Over the past year, I’ve been spending more time creating videos for my YouTube channels, including Brian’s Big Bite, where I combine my passion for food with my love of discovering hidden gems, and Buckeye O-H-I-Flow, celebrating everything I love about Ohio State.

The cameras kept rolling. The stories kept happening. I just wasn’t putting them into words.

And I realized something…

I missed writing.

There is something special about sitting down and telling the story behind the picture. A video can show you where I was, but a blog lets me share what I was thinking, who I met, what I learned, and why that moment mattered.

The Best Part Of Travel Has Never Been The Destination

Over the years, I’ve learned that travel isn’t just about checking places off a map.

It’s about the unexpected moments.

It’s the conversation with a bartender who has spent 20 years working on a cruise ship and shares stories about home.

It’s the small-town restaurant where the owner walks over to your table and tells you how their family started the business.

It’s the local bakery you discover because someone says, “You have to try this place.”

Those are the memories that stay with you.

The destinations are amazing, but the people are what make the trip unforgettable.

A Different Kind Of Travel Story

When I first started traveling, I thought the goal was to see as much as possible.

Now I realize the goal is to experience as much as possible.

I don’t want to just take a picture in front of a landmark. I want to know the story behind it.

I don’t want to just eat at a restaurant. I want to know the people who created it.

I don’t want to just visit a town. I want to understand what makes that town special.

That’s what I hope to bring back to Take The Trip by Brian.

Not just travel guides.

Not just lists of places to visit.

But stories.

Why Now?

Recently, I had the chance to experience another incredible adventure: an Alaska cruise aboard the Star Princess.

From watching for whales in Juneau to exploring the historic streets of Ketchikan and taking in the beauty of Alaska, it reminded me why I started traveling in the first place.

There is still so much to see.

There are still so many stories waiting to be told.

And honestly, I’m not ready to sit still.

I believe there is a big world out there, filled with amazing food, fascinating people, beautiful places, and unforgettable experiences.

And I want to keep discovering them.

The Next Chapter

So, consider this my official return.

The blog may have taken a little break, but the adventure never stopped.

Moving forward, I’ll be sharing more travel stories, food discoveries, hidden gems, cruise adventures, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Because travel isn’t about how far you go.

It’s about what you experience when you get there.

So whether it’s a trip across the ocean, a weekend road trip, or a restaurant you’ve driven past a hundred times but never stopped at…

Don’t wait.

Make the plans.

Take the trip.

Because the world’s a big place… don’t just dream about it — go see it!

I’m Brian…

And until next time, Take The Trip!