The majority of people take their vacations during the warm summer months, primarily as that's when the kids are out of school. However a large number of people are learning that one can have most enjoyable vacations year round. My own favorite time of year for breaking out of my normal everyday routines and getting away from it all---is the month of October.
One is less likely to board a train or bus and run into loud children for one thing. The weather is usually warm without becoming deadly hot and humid. It being after labor day, the hotel and motel rates are not so steep. One is much more likely to find a good price on a cruise up and down many of America's big rivers. New England in the fall, with the colored foliage, the Rockies with their first dusting of snow, the aspen a golden yellow, ----the vast ruggedness of the desert landscapes of New Mexico and Arizona., the lush bucolic atmosphere of wine country in norther California,-----Yellowstone national park, --the grand canyon, a boat ride down the Mississippi-----The great Lakes----and do ya find yourself humming the old commercial refrain---"See the USA in your Chevrolet----America is asking you to call---" Yep October is one great Month to enjoy one's hard earned vacation time. I bet you all have a few favorite places here in the Great USA to visit that I failed to mention---feel free to add to my list.
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Travel Adventure
Its that time of the year, when the majority of us take our annual vacations. I am not exactly sure why I include myself in that group---what with being retired, everyday pretty much anything I care to do with it---who needs a vacation then right? Guess one needs to define what a Vacation is.
Well according to Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary: 1. a respite, or a time of respite from something. 2. (a) a scheduled period during which activity (such as a court or a school) is suspended. (b) a period of exemption from work granted to an employee for rest and relaxation. 3. a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation---4. an act or an instance of vacating.-------I think that pretty much defines "vacation" don't you agree? (I for one am not about to get into a argument with Webster over word definitions, smart as I am, am not that smart).
Like most people, my earliest vacations that I remember would fall under the category of the No 2 (a) definition----a scheduled period , in my case, of school being suspended.-----which when finally over (sigh)---was traditionally signaled by getting the dreaded essay in school titled , "What did you do on your summer vacation?" (seems I recall there was a minimum of 200 words required??) Course later as I grew into adulthood and got plugged into the ever popular 40 hour weekly grind, definition No. 2 (b) became the norm. Now however, I no longer work for a living, and so for me the applicable definition would be No. 3. which is kinda cool, as I don't have the threat of that 200+ essay to write when I get home (but kinda suspect I have already exceeded that in this blog---oh well THIS is a labor of Love---(hee, hee, hee!).
Now younger people literally live for their vacations, save up, plan, beg, borrow and steal to go here or there, Hawaii, Florida, or north to Montreal, Juneau, or go to Europe, Asia, South Seas, the Caribbean, Mexico , it seems during the summer the whole country is in motion. However it is a fact, there is a large segment that pretty much stays damn close to home, home being wherever it might be. I am speaking of myself and my fellow Seniors, who like me, aren't filthy rich, who kind of have to keep one eye on the old monthly outgo, and world cruises and international flights are well just pipe dreams.
However before ya break into tears of sympathy, its not all that grim. We have our Lil travel and adventures and 90-95 percent of the time we are back safe at home, our slippers on and all relaxed by the time the sunsets in the west. I would wager to bet that in a 25 mile radius from my house I have literally hundreds of interesting and exciting places to make day trips to. Places that don't charge an arm and a leg to visit. The other day, last Monday to be exact, I took the free tour of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (you have heard and seen on the news about the Mars Rover---well that was designed and built at JPL, the tour explains how, you see the laboratory, the museum of all the previous robots they have built and sent into space, the control center where they maintain 24/7 communications with all the robots out there, including Voyager which is over 10 billion miles out and still going (takes a radio signal 14 hours just to reach the robot, and another 14 hours to return). JPL was 22 1/2 miles from my house--about a 30 minute drive (if ya don't get lost that is). I am as the crow flies about 8 miles outside of Hollywood, 15-18 miles to and number of beaches (its fun to walk the promenade, enjoy the sea air, and watch people not to mention check out the cute Lil fillies sunning in the sand--Hey I'm 71, not dead!!), The Getty Art Museum, Olivera street, Chinatown, The LaBrea Tarpits, , and I am maybe about 7 miles from Universal City (but for that ya need that arm and leg). I took the free tour of Lawry's Seasoning Plant last year, and did ya know there is a most delightful show given to the public at Forrest Lawn Cemetery. Three miles from my house there is an impressive Japanese Garden, tours are about $5, but you have to make reservations and they are not open on Sundays.-----anyway don't feel sorry for us Seniors----most of us saw Hawaii back when it was something to see and not the Disneyland West that it is now. but have to confess I am still saving up for that Alaska Inland Passage Cruise----.
Well according to Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary: 1. a respite, or a time of respite from something. 2. (a) a scheduled period during which activity (such as a court or a school) is suspended. (b) a period of exemption from work granted to an employee for rest and relaxation. 3. a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation---4. an act or an instance of vacating.-------I think that pretty much defines "vacation" don't you agree? (I for one am not about to get into a argument with Webster over word definitions, smart as I am, am not that smart).
Like most people, my earliest vacations that I remember would fall under the category of the No 2 (a) definition----a scheduled period , in my case, of school being suspended.-----which when finally over (sigh)---was traditionally signaled by getting the dreaded essay in school titled , "What did you do on your summer vacation?" (seems I recall there was a minimum of 200 words required??) Course later as I grew into adulthood and got plugged into the ever popular 40 hour weekly grind, definition No. 2 (b) became the norm. Now however, I no longer work for a living, and so for me the applicable definition would be No. 3. which is kinda cool, as I don't have the threat of that 200+ essay to write when I get home (but kinda suspect I have already exceeded that in this blog---oh well THIS is a labor of Love---(hee, hee, hee!).
Now younger people literally live for their vacations, save up, plan, beg, borrow and steal to go here or there, Hawaii, Florida, or north to Montreal, Juneau, or go to Europe, Asia, South Seas, the Caribbean, Mexico , it seems during the summer the whole country is in motion. However it is a fact, there is a large segment that pretty much stays damn close to home, home being wherever it might be. I am speaking of myself and my fellow Seniors, who like me, aren't filthy rich, who kind of have to keep one eye on the old monthly outgo, and world cruises and international flights are well just pipe dreams.
However before ya break into tears of sympathy, its not all that grim. We have our Lil travel and adventures and 90-95 percent of the time we are back safe at home, our slippers on and all relaxed by the time the sunsets in the west. I would wager to bet that in a 25 mile radius from my house I have literally hundreds of interesting and exciting places to make day trips to. Places that don't charge an arm and a leg to visit. The other day, last Monday to be exact, I took the free tour of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (you have heard and seen on the news about the Mars Rover---well that was designed and built at JPL, the tour explains how, you see the laboratory, the museum of all the previous robots they have built and sent into space, the control center where they maintain 24/7 communications with all the robots out there, including Voyager which is over 10 billion miles out and still going (takes a radio signal 14 hours just to reach the robot, and another 14 hours to return). JPL was 22 1/2 miles from my house--about a 30 minute drive (if ya don't get lost that is). I am as the crow flies about 8 miles outside of Hollywood, 15-18 miles to and number of beaches (its fun to walk the promenade, enjoy the sea air, and watch people not to mention check out the cute Lil fillies sunning in the sand--Hey I'm 71, not dead!!), The Getty Art Museum, Olivera street, Chinatown, The LaBrea Tarpits, , and I am maybe about 7 miles from Universal City (but for that ya need that arm and leg). I took the free tour of Lawry's Seasoning Plant last year, and did ya know there is a most delightful show given to the public at Forrest Lawn Cemetery. Three miles from my house there is an impressive Japanese Garden, tours are about $5, but you have to make reservations and they are not open on Sundays.-----anyway don't feel sorry for us Seniors----most of us saw Hawaii back when it was something to see and not the Disneyland West that it is now. but have to confess I am still saving up for that Alaska Inland Passage Cruise----.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
My Dream Cruise
I have had this "thing" for lack of a better word, ---my dream vacation---it would be a Cruise of Alaska's inland water passage. This is the cruise where you leisurely sail up the Alaska coast, sucking in all the fantastic scenery, and get to see the big glaciers and REAL Icebergs---not to mention six meals a day, ---like Hello, Cruising is the ONLY way to travel. Its just like Tallulah said in the movie, "Lifeboat", " and what time does this place arrive?".
Actually when you add it all up cost wise-----cruising is quite competitive with flying to ones destination and staying in hotels there, buying dinners etc. On a cruise one boards the ship, unpacks and begins to immediately enjoy 0ne's vacationing time. The fun of exploring the ship, finding the neat little bars, and dining areas, the pool, gym, library, movie theatre, casino, etc.
Its amazing to how fast one adapts to getting up early, hitting the deck for that breakfast buffet, on the port lido deck, maybe a couple Bloody Mary's, -------maybe getting in a hour of sun tanning, not to mention some enjoyable body watching ---then one has to meet friends (for you surely have met others by now) for drinks and the mid-morning snack break.----next thing ya know your all out having fun poolside, then its lunch time-----maybe a nap on a deck chair, watching the world go bye---afternoon snack, a couple more drinks (life is good)---back to the room to change for dinner, after dinner maybe a movie, then hit the dance club, some late snacks and midnight drinks---another hard day of vacationing done-----oooh yeahh , Cruising is MY style of Travel.
Actually when you add it all up cost wise-----cruising is quite competitive with flying to ones destination and staying in hotels there, buying dinners etc. On a cruise one boards the ship, unpacks and begins to immediately enjoy 0ne's vacationing time. The fun of exploring the ship, finding the neat little bars, and dining areas, the pool, gym, library, movie theatre, casino, etc.
Its amazing to how fast one adapts to getting up early, hitting the deck for that breakfast buffet, on the port lido deck, maybe a couple Bloody Mary's, -------maybe getting in a hour of sun tanning, not to mention some enjoyable body watching ---then one has to meet friends (for you surely have met others by now) for drinks and the mid-morning snack break.----next thing ya know your all out having fun poolside, then its lunch time-----maybe a nap on a deck chair, watching the world go bye---afternoon snack, a couple more drinks (life is good)---back to the room to change for dinner, after dinner maybe a movie, then hit the dance club, some late snacks and midnight drinks---another hard day of vacationing done-----oooh yeahh , Cruising is MY style of Travel.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Summer Vacationing
The biggest problem with being retired is the seasons have a way of blending, so that ones sense of immediate need gets kinda toned down----like hello maybe tomorrow I'll think about that. Now here it is almost the middle of July---and I haven't even begun to plan a summer vacation.
Now one has to give some serious thought to what one wants vacation wise----first what kind of Geography appeals to ya-----ocean views, Mountains, Plains??. Usually one picks something different than one lives in most of the year. Mountain people go to the beach and Vice-a-versa. People who live on the plains -----tend to stay close to home, ----unable to make a decision, to vacate to the Mountains, or the Beach----everything scenic being so far to travel too. I mean like it must take a good week just to drive across Kansas--least sure seemed that long, so anyway they hem and haw and next thing they know its State Fair time again, then school starts, and one has to get ready for winter---and maybe next year----.
Having decided on a Geography, one now has to decide we flying there, driving there or maybe taking the train there. Well Passenger Trains are fairly limited ,in that they don't really go very many places---mainly they run up and down the east coast between Boston and Washington DC.---like I said, they don't go very many places. So basically its Drive or Take the plane.
Now the planning starts to take on serious overtones. If one is planning on staying with family , or avoiding family like the plague, and staying in Hotels. One needs to make reservations in advance. One can't just walk in off the street and expect to get a room in a Hotel---like Hello, with rooms running well over $50/night----most hotels are booked up well in advance. You should have made those reservations three months ago or even earlier. You might get lucky and find the hotel does have A room, but its running $200/night with a minimum 5 night rental. (woof that puts a dent in ones vacation fun monies don't it?), but then ya figure, instead of flying one might save a buck if one drove there. Actually might not be so bad, one could see some of the countryside, sample the various colorful locale food and drink, see the natives in their colorful costumes----yes driving would work. So with a pencil and a Pad, you figure it out. Gas for the car, assuming you get 25 miles/gallon, its 900 miles to your destination, should be able to drive that in two days, so one needs to compute the cost of two nights in motels, six meals, oooh, oooh maybe something for buying impulse souvenirs , hmmm better get a couple new tires for the car before we go, and get a tuneup----that will cost--?? and yeah need some clothes to where when we get there, the weather being so different----oooh oooh, better talk to the boss at work and make sure I can take those two weeks off, damn should have done THAT a couple three months earlier too----okay so whats the cost now come to?-----OOOOOOOOOH JEEEEEEEEEEZ----forgetabout it----maybe next year.
Now one has to give some serious thought to what one wants vacation wise----first what kind of Geography appeals to ya-----ocean views, Mountains, Plains??. Usually one picks something different than one lives in most of the year. Mountain people go to the beach and Vice-a-versa. People who live on the plains -----tend to stay close to home, ----unable to make a decision, to vacate to the Mountains, or the Beach----everything scenic being so far to travel too. I mean like it must take a good week just to drive across Kansas--least sure seemed that long, so anyway they hem and haw and next thing they know its State Fair time again, then school starts, and one has to get ready for winter---and maybe next year----.
Having decided on a Geography, one now has to decide we flying there, driving there or maybe taking the train there. Well Passenger Trains are fairly limited ,in that they don't really go very many places---mainly they run up and down the east coast between Boston and Washington DC.---like I said, they don't go very many places. So basically its Drive or Take the plane.
Now the planning starts to take on serious overtones. If one is planning on staying with family , or avoiding family like the plague, and staying in Hotels. One needs to make reservations in advance. One can't just walk in off the street and expect to get a room in a Hotel---like Hello, with rooms running well over $50/night----most hotels are booked up well in advance. You should have made those reservations three months ago or even earlier. You might get lucky and find the hotel does have A room, but its running $200/night with a minimum 5 night rental. (woof that puts a dent in ones vacation fun monies don't it?), but then ya figure, instead of flying one might save a buck if one drove there. Actually might not be so bad, one could see some of the countryside, sample the various colorful locale food and drink, see the natives in their colorful costumes----yes driving would work. So with a pencil and a Pad, you figure it out. Gas for the car, assuming you get 25 miles/gallon, its 900 miles to your destination, should be able to drive that in two days, so one needs to compute the cost of two nights in motels, six meals, oooh, oooh maybe something for buying impulse souvenirs , hmmm better get a couple new tires for the car before we go, and get a tuneup----that will cost--?? and yeah need some clothes to where when we get there, the weather being so different----oooh oooh, better talk to the boss at work and make sure I can take those two weeks off, damn should have done THAT a couple three months earlier too----okay so whats the cost now come to?-----OOOOOOOOOH JEEEEEEEEEEZ----forgetabout it----maybe next year.
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