A Journey to “Galaxy’s Edge” and Back

The first glimpse of Batuu from the entrance (left) and the Millennium Falcon outside Smuggler’s Run (right)

With my typical articles tending to cover topics like awards shows, classic television, pop music, and LGBT culture, it may come as a surprise to some readers that I am a Star Wars junkie. I may not be as devoted as the most die-hard fans, but I’m light years beyond a mere enthusiast.

I was born one year after the original trilogy concluded (with the release of Episode VI in 1983). Between having…