Family Memoir

For several years I’ve been gathering stories about the challenging job of raising five children in the ’50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, before my solo world travels began. It’s fun, especially when mixed with a sense of humor, and makes a great tale. I’m sure many of you will relate to the stories and laugh with me as you uncover my deepest or silliest thoughts.

Go to the drop down menu for excerpts from my book, I Love You to Death, But….

or click on these links

In the Beginning

The Whys and Wherefores

I Love You to Death, But…

Watch Out…Here Come the Babies!

Don’t Come Back Before Supper, Unless You’re Bleeding!

Give ‘Em What They Want

Killer Birthdays

Don’t Be A Naive Mother

The Folly of Expectations

Guess What? Your Brother is Gay

High Drama at the Junior High, and Other Fashion Notes

Let’s Go to the Dump

Who’s Afraid of Measles, Mumps, Chicken Pox, and Tonsils?

You Can’t Take It With You

An Adult Party…Whoopee!

Religion: It Shouldn’t Be So Simple, But It Isn’t

Music is a Tradition in Our Family

Our First Swim Club

Let’s Take a Trip: First Days

This is the blog for Meg Noble Peterson, whose latest book is Madam, Have You Ever Really Been Happy? An Intimate Journey Through Africa and Asia, the story of her first eight-month solo backpacking trip around the world. A synopsis and excerpts from the book can be found on this website.

I began this blog, detailing my recent adventures throughout the world, in the summer of 2005 with my trip to Sweden and Norway. Scroll down to the end to begin this journey. And be sure to browse the Archives and Categories for more in-depth information with photos and stories.

In the blog I include backpacking trips to northern and southern India, Nepal, Myanmar, Ladakh, Kashmir, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Tanzania, as well as backpacking and hiking in the Pacific Northwest and the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Here is a quick recap of trips taken before starting the blog:

In March, 2005, I traveled to Prague in the Czech Republic.

In May, 2004, I spent a month with my eldest daughter in Tibet. Together we circumambulated sacred Mt. Kailash over the Dolma La (pass) at 18,000 ft. and Lake Manasarovar at 14,000 ft. We camped in the countryside, mixed with nomads, and visited the sacred places and temples of this beleaguered country.

In May, 2003, I explored the many facets of Peru and climbed on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

In May, 1999 I did the Wainwright Walk across England from St. Bees Head on the Irish Sea to Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Sea. And in November and early December of the same year I trekked, once again, in Nepal, doing the Annapurna circuit, and going over the Thorong La (pass) at 17,500 ft.

To see the places I traveled on my previous trips, visit the map on this website.

In 1998, my eldest son, Christopher, treated the entire family to a trip to the Galapagos Islands, three years before he died. This will remain one of the high points of all my travel adventures.

© 2025 Meg Noble Peterson