Photo Gallery: Former Fiske Principal Prepares to Travel the World

Former Fiske Elementary School Principal Nancy Peterson has long promised herself a round-the-world trip, and finally her dream is coming true.

Nancy jets off on Wednesday on a two-month trip to visit Argentina, Turkey, India, Australia, New Zealand, Figi and Guam.

"This was a retirement present to myself," she said. "Someone once told me that if you don't do it in the first year of your retirement, you never will!"  

Planning the trip seems to have been almost as much of an adventure. Nancy's dining room table is covered with travel guides, notes, a lengthy trip itinerary and various travel medicines.  

Her beloved cocker spaniel, Kirby, will be going to stay with Nancy's sister, Karen. With packing gradually getting underway, Nancy admitted she was concerned about fitting two months of clothing into the one suitcase.

When asked what she'd miss the most, Nancy said without hesitation her family and Kirby. What she'll miss the least? This snowy, snowy winter, she said. In fact, Nancy said her only regret is that she didn't take this trip earlier to avoid all the snow.

Having spent much of the last months and weeks reading up on her destinations, Nancy said she can't wait to pick up her Kindle and do some pleasure reading. First on the list – Robert Patterson's Tick Tock.