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How much do you like to travel/vacation?

B

bczoom

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Mrs. zoom is going all out. Myself, I'm more of a homebody but will go on some.

We're retired, healthy and have the finances to do it but I just like staying home. She likes to travel so I'm good with letting her adventure.

In the 12-month period starting last fall, her/our travel has been or will be:
3 Caribbean cruises. I went on none.
Monthly trips to Florida. We have a place there. I go once in awhile.
A week on the Gulf of Mexico. Not me.
A week on the Carolina shores. Maybe I'll go.
A week in California. Nope, not for me.
A week in South Dakota. I'll be going.
A week in Yellowstone. I'll be going.

So, she spends around 20-26 weeks (nearly half the year) on vacation and traveling. I just can't (or don't want to) do it.

Should I adventure as much as she does or just stay comfortable at home?

What do you like?
 
bczoom said:
Mrs. zoom is going all out. Myself, I'm more of a homebody but will go on some.

We're retired, healthy and have the finances to do it but I just like staying home. She likes to travel so I'm good with letting her adventure.

In the 12-month period starting last fall, her/our travel has been or will be:
3 Caribbean cruises. I went on none.
Monthly trips to Florida. We have a place there. I go once in awhile.
A week on the Gulf of Mexico. Not me.
A week on the Carolina shores. Maybe I'll go.
A week in California. Nope, not for me.
A week in South Dakota. I'll be going.
A week in Yellowstone. I'll be going.

So, she spends around 20-26 weeks (nearly half the year) on vacation and traveling. I just can't (or don't want to) do it.

Should I adventure as much as she does or just stay comfortable at home?

What do you like?
Click to expand...
I am with you.

We seldom go on long vacations tending to do 3 and 4 day weekends.
For a while, Crumpy went alone to Connecticut to visit grandchildren 3 to four weeks at a time, at least twice a year. I sometimes joined her.
I took virtually no time off for travel in the last 20 years or so. Pre 2000, a whole nuther matter. But then, we worked for other people and got paid vacation time.
 
During my working days I travelled every week. This lasted about 30 years. I would leave on Monday with 5 folders which usually meant 5 different states and be home late Friday. I made it to most states, Italy, Canada and Saudi. I have sure had enough travel. Now days I am happy to sit on the porch, smoke a cigar, have a brew, and work cross word puzzles. All that travel also cost me 4 wives. Maybe it wasnt all that bad!!!!
 
We rented an ocean front condo in North Myrtle Beach for a month. In less than two weeks I was home sick. I had had enough. So I guess I lean more to BC's side. Your wife travels way to much for my liking. The Navy helped me see a lot of Europe and SE Asia. I've visited some Caribbean islands and find I prefer East coast US beaches. I also love visiting the Smokey Mountains Tennessee NC Blue Ridge Parkway, all within a days drive of me. I enjoy a little get away every 4 to 6 months and that's enough for me.
 
bczoom said:
Mrs. zoom is going all out. Myself, I'm more of a homebody but will go on some.

We're retired, healthy and have the finances to do it but I just like staying home. She likes to travel so I'm good with letting her adventure.

In the 12-month period starting last fall, her/our travel has been or will be:
3 Caribbean cruises. I went on none.
Monthly trips to Florida. We have a place there. I go once in awhile.
A week on the Gulf of Mexico. Not me.
A week on the Carolina shores. Maybe I'll go.
A week in California. Nope, not for me.
A week in South Dakota. I'll be going.
A week in Yellowstone. I'll be going.

So, she spends around 20-26 weeks (nearly half the year) on vacation and traveling. I just can't (or don't want to) do it.

Should I adventure as much as she does or just stay comfortable at home?

What do you like? As a budget traveler, transfer Orly airport Atob was a fantastic choice. The service was affordable, reliable, and stress-free, making my travel experience smooth. They provided excellent value for the price, ensuring I stayed within my budget while enjoying a comfortable transfer. Highly recommend for fellow budget travelers!
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It sounds like you and your wife have found a balance that works for both of you. It's great that she has the freedom to explore and travel as much as she likes, while you enjoy the comfort of home. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to adventure versus relaxation. If you're content with the occasional trip and spending most of your time at home, there's no need to force yourself to travel more. It's all about what makes you happy. Maybe you could explore smaller, local adventures or hobbies at home that keep you engaged while she’s away. What do others think?
 
Spent a large part of my working life away from home and traveling internationally. It holds no pleasure for me, especially if flying is involved. I still like to get away for short periods, either on car trips or in the motorhome, but generally I like being at the house and piddling around the place. I have no plans to be outside the USA ever again.
My wife also traveled a lot in her working life so the travel bug in her is pretty much burned out too. She does like going on cruises with her sisters and does that a couple of times a year. She also likes the motorhome. She doesn't like the traveling part but likes getting to our destination and exploring.

So, we are mainly home bodies these days with only occasional bursts of activity ... and I'm happy with that.

I'd like to mention that travel, especially internationally isn't all that safe anymore. When I was in my late teens, a long time ago, I used to backpack all over Europe and didn't think anything of it. It was great fun seeing new places and meeting new people. I wouldn't even think of it anymore. It ruins it when you have to spend a lot of your time looking over your shoulder and being aware of your surroundings. What kind of vacation is that?
 
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I had a major OOPS.
Left home for the airport. In line to go through TSA, I reached in my pocket for my drivers license and it wasn't there?!?!? Round trip to home and back is over 2 hours so no chance of doing that. Thankfully, I was using the backpack I take everywhere so my passport was in there so I was able to board the plane.

Next foreseen problem is the car rental. I don't have my license and I'll be damned if I'm going to let my wife drive since many roads came with a sever pucker factor and we'll be driving over 1000 miles.

Called my daughter from the airport to start searching home for my license. She eventually found it in the driveway. Apparently it fell out when I was loading luggage. She sent me a pic of my license.

To my relief, every place I needed to show ID (besides TSA), including renting the car accepted the picture of my license from my phone. :)
 
I'm curious. What was your favorite of all the places you visited in the northwest?
What was your least favorite?
 
Favorites
Yellowstone and Tetons are "must see" in your lifetime if you can. The parks are side-by-side so go see both.
Yellowstone is incredibly interesting with everything going on. The park is around 2,500 square miles but you can hit the highlights in 3 days. Make sure your legs are in shape. You'll be doing a lot of walking on hilly terrain.

Tetons may be the prettiest place in the USA.

I took a new route into Yellowstone, via the Beartooth highway. The roads and views are incredible. Click here for pics.

beartooth highway at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.
duckduckgo.com duckduckgo.com

We made a 2-day side trip to go to Cody Wy. Town is named after and has a strong focus on William Cody (Buffalo Bill). Last time I was there, it was a quaint little town with plenty of history. I think the town has at least tripled in size in the last 15 years (since my last visit). It's more commercialized which is disappointing but the Museum has also tripled in size making it worthwhile to visit. A huge gun museum section focusing on older guns is a highlight. Link to museum.
centerofthewest.org

Buffalo Bill Center of the West | Cody, Wyoming

Discover the rich history of the American West at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, WY. Explore our museum and experience the Wild West.
centerofthewest.org centerofthewest.org

Not favorites
The Cody Rodeo used to be fantastic. The clowns would have everyone laughing and entertained for hours. Now the clowns barely talk and they just blare music instead. That was VERY DISAPPOINTING. We spent big bucks to stay in Cody just so we can spend the night at the rodeo and get great entertainment. We should have just went to the aforementioned museum then got out of town.

Everything is beautiful out there but things I DIDN'T LIKE
It's tourist country. Be prepared to pay double or triple for everything.
They don't seem to allow any national chains in their area (especially around Yellowstone). I saw one McDonalds and no other chains for about 100 miles.
Hotel rooms for a mediocre hotel are around $300/night.
Local grocery stores charge $50 for a case of Miller Lite. Hamburger and fries are around $20.

Jackson/Jackson Hole WY used to be a quaint but ritzy down (think Aspen CO). It's gotten too expensive, crowded and commercialized. The plus is that it had a couple actual stores (Albertson's grocery and Target) so we could stock up but we were in and out of there as fast as we could.

NEUTRAL
We did about 100 mile drive through eastern Idaho. For great scenery, you need to go more to the west. 2-lane roads that were in kind of rough condition but the scenery was nice if you want to see wheat fields as far as you can see and millions of $ worth of combines and related ready to go.
 
Incredibly beautiful pictures.

We did Yellowstone and the Tetons quite a few years ago and it was an amazing trip. I didn't even know about the Beartooth Highway. That would have just made an amazing trip even more amazing.

I'm sorry to hear you tell what has happened to Cody and Jackson. I suppose that some would call it progress. I wouldn't but some might.
 
Thanks for the informative write up and the amazing pics BC. :clap: :clap: :clap:
 
I' living in my vacation spot in the Grand Canyon of Pa.
Vacationed here for decades when the plant I was working at closed I got a job up here and haven't looked back.
My only trips home was for my sisters funeral, and my grandson's cancer treatment in CHOP in Philly.
It has to be some thing major for me to go back to the traffic and idiot people down there.
I've become one of the old guy's living in the hollar.
 
bczoom said:
Mrs. zoom is going all out. Myself, I'm more of a homebody but will go on some.

We're retired, healthy and have the finances to do it but I just like staying home. She likes to travel so I'm good with letting her adventure.

In the 12-month period starting last fall, her/our travel has been or will be:
3 Caribbean cruises. I went on none.
Monthly trips to Florida. We have a place there. I go once in awhile.
A week on the Gulf of Mexico. Not me.
A week on the Carolina shores. Maybe I'll go.
A week in California. Nope, not for me.
A week in South Dakota. I'll be going.
A week in Yellowstone. I'll be going.

So, she spends around 20-26 weeks (nearly half the year) on vacation and traveling. I just can't (or don't want to) do it.

Should I adventure as much as she does or just stay comfortable at home?

What do you like?
Click to expand...
Many people like frequent vacations.
I think that it is stressful all the time packing and unpacking and seems like a stressful life for me always having a vacation planned.
It is after working a lot, your rest in packing a lot then sightseeing everywhere etc instead of like a restful break at the beach or something.
Every chance you get and then posting all about it on Instagram probably for some dedicated bloggers in the world.
 
laulau15 said:
Many people like frequent vacations.
I think that it is stressful all the time packing and unpacking and seems like a stressful life for me always having a vacation planned.
It is after working a lot, your rest in packing a lot then sightseeing everywhere etc instead of like a restful break at the beach or something.
Every chance you get and then posting all about it on Instagram probably for some dedicated bloggers in the world.
Click to expand...
The Mrs. mentioned this morning that her current monthly trips/vacations may be a little too much but I'll believe it when I see it as she has a trip booked for Dec and Jan.
 
bczoom said:
The Mrs. mentioned this morning that her current monthly trips/vacations may be a little too much but I'll believe it when I see it as she has a trip booked for Dec and Jan.
Click to expand...
Well...I guess you have to go. You may have fun, some people often love a holiday.
 
We both like it at home, no desire to travel. I haven’t been in a plane since I got sick. Just to say I’m not retired, I do about 12 weeks a year traveling in a car to the northern east coast teaching at waste to energy facilities, that’s enough for me.
 
I used to fly, whether for business or pleasure. Now I hate it; it ain't what it used to be.

Now days we either drive somewhere or take a trip by boat on Lake Michigan.

Was considering an older Country Coach, MCI, or Prevost, but after listening to my friends with these types of rigs, if we do decide to do a trip, I'll rent one. Or maybe I can mooch 😉.
 
I'm taking the Mrs & daughter to the airport tomorrow so they can fly to FL. We have a condo and vehicle down there so it's like a home away from home (but much warmer than PA).
 
We used to travel with the rv on bigger trips. Plus have a seasonal campsite. Having 5 kids meant that flying anywhere would mean 2 hotel rooms and about $300 a day in restaurants. We chose to go the camping route doing several bigger trips as well as having our seasonal campsite. Ending up with a full summer of enjoyment for the same cost as say...
6 nights in the Bahamas.
 
My travel days are over. When I worked, I would leave Houston on Monday and go to 5 states and cities to inspect construction. That was for about 15 years. There were times when I didnt travel as I was relocated to different locations. I spent a year in O.K.City, a year in Tulsa, a year in Mount Vernon, Ohio, a year in Bristol, Tn, 6 months in Italy, and a year in Saudi. I just enjoy sitting on the porch these days and smoking a cigar and watching the wild life.
 
Crumpy and I traveled a lot in the first 30 years of our marriage together. Started out, we somehow ended up, unplanned, in Niagra Falls Canada on our Honeymoon trip to Kentucky. Made a left turn instead of a right somewhere in Ohio. California to New England, Ontario Canada to Texas to Florida. The Bahamas to the Windward Islands in the Carribean.

Crumpy was a commercial artist for a large Printing company. With the advent of computers, her bosses sent her all over the country to learn computer graphics for weeks at a time. I went along and enjoyed a paid for vacation as her consort.

That stopped when we started our packaging company. However, our packaging business had us seeing customers and picking up machinery all over the country. It's been a great adventure.

But;;;;
Now, we just want to curl up by the fireplace in the house we built together.
 
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I’m retiring at the end of the first quarter of 2025, I have worked in almost every state in the union but didn’t stop and smell the roses. The wife has never been out of Ca. I am planning a series of road trips to see some of the things I passed at 80 mph and visit the few old friends that are still above ground and a few plus some family that is not.
Would like to take a few trips abroad, some European and some south of the border. I have the cabin for close vacations and a large boat, to keep me busy in between. I always have somthing to do so it shouldn’t be boring.
 
Sounds nice.

We're in the process of planning what will turn into a month of travel this summer. Our first rv trip will be the third weekend in May for our annual fishing trip 3.5 hrs northeast of here. June will be every weekend at our seasonal campsite. July 5th is our friend's wedding. Right afterwards, we are hooking up to the fifth wheel again and headed west all the way to British Columbia through the rockies. As soon as we get back it's turn n burn and heading 3hrs east to my hometown for a big high school reunion for the yrs 75-96 on Aug long weekend.
 
We bought a brand-new small RV camper, plus a used Jeep Cherokee, in 2021 to go to the Tetons and Yellowstone. COVID nixed that trip when they shut down all the parks.
Then we lost the business.
So, the RV was, more or less, permanently parked at Hippie Ridge.

2024 was financially a disaster for us. I think we are coming out of it all this year so perhaps the trip west can be on the agenda. I know Crumpy would like that. I have little incentive to attempt much more than that.

I am so glad we did all that traveling in our youth when we could best enjoy it.
 
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