Vacations Are Supposed to be Fun
I sometimes think vacations are overrated33 total reviews
Comment from Brett Matthew West
Taking someone any place, airport or not, at 1:00am is indeed a sign of a friend.
Being at the mercy of someone else, with "almost no control over anything," not a fun position to be in.
Would have rejected any rental car with any indicator light on. Only asking for problems.
Always good to visit the place where one grew up, even though the town is nowhere near the same as it was back in the day. Question is, could you live there again? Probably not.
"rocketing down the road," and needing a "bathroom-NOW!" not a pleasant situation to be in.
"thunder storms" should be thunderstorms.
In Notes - "salt water" should be saltwater.
Interesting detailing of your little excursion.
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2024
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Taking someone any place, airport or not, at 1:00am is indeed a sign of a friend.
Being at the mercy of someone else, with "almost no control over anything," not a fun position to be in.
Would have rejected any rental car with any indicator light on. Only asking for problems.
Always good to visit the place where one grew up, even though the town is nowhere near the same as it was back in the day. Question is, could you live there again? Probably not.
"rocketing down the road," and needing a "bathroom-NOW!" not a pleasant situation to be in.
"thunder storms" should be thunderstorms.
In Notes - "salt water" should be saltwater.
Interesting detailing of your little excursion.
Comment Written 26-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 26-Jun-2024
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Thanks so much for the great review and the corrections Brett. No, I could never live back in Ohio again. I wasn't that fond of it when I was growing up, but I didn't know anything different. No place is going to have everything we want in a hometown, so I guess compromises have to be made. Travel in general is not nearly as fun as it used to be.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from pome lover
heavens, Tom, all that does sound tiring and frustrating, though interesting. However, I have a suggestion (ahem :)
Next year, why don't you go to Colorado to Lake City, rent a cabin, and fish, There's a little town for shopping, horses to ride, last time I was there, which I have to admit was over 25 years ago, they had a lodge where you could go for meals, which were really good. It's cool in the summer - dry, mostly. They might send you a brochure. Colorado is a beautiful state. I lived in Crested Butte for 9 years until my husband got cancer, and I brought him home to San Antonio to our medical center.
Or anywhere, just plan some time for what you enjoy. Thus adviseth your TX friend.
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2024
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heavens, Tom, all that does sound tiring and frustrating, though interesting. However, I have a suggestion (ahem :)
Next year, why don't you go to Colorado to Lake City, rent a cabin, and fish, There's a little town for shopping, horses to ride, last time I was there, which I have to admit was over 25 years ago, they had a lodge where you could go for meals, which were really good. It's cool in the summer - dry, mostly. They might send you a brochure. Colorado is a beautiful state. I lived in Crested Butte for 9 years until my husband got cancer, and I brought him home to San Antonio to our medical center.
Or anywhere, just plan some time for what you enjoy. Thus adviseth your TX friend.
Comment Written 13-Jun-2024
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2024
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Hello Katharine,
well, that does sound delightful. I suppose that the place you remember has probably undergone some real changes in twenty five years, but it's certainly worth checking out. I don't really want to have to take a plane anywhere anytime soon though of a certainty. This trip was so expensive, and it came at time when we already had some unexpected expenses with an eye doctor, dentist and then two trees had to be removed. When it rains it pours doesn't it? I'll write down Lake City and check it out though. Thanks for mentioning it, and thanks so much for the outstanding review and six.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment from Mintybee
Travel is often a mix of amazing sights and uncomfortable situations. I would like to see more of the world, but I don't enjoy travel. Unfamiliar cars, towns, foods, hotels etc. can be unnerving and exhausting. My family used to joke that we needed a second vacation to unwind after going on vacation. Your account of your vacation was amusing and elicited empathy.
Mintybee
reply by the author on 19-May-2024
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Travel is often a mix of amazing sights and uncomfortable situations. I would like to see more of the world, but I don't enjoy travel. Unfamiliar cars, towns, foods, hotels etc. can be unnerving and exhausting. My family used to joke that we needed a second vacation to unwind after going on vacation. Your account of your vacation was amusing and elicited empathy.
Mintybee
Comment Written 18-May-2024
reply by the author on 19-May-2024
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Hello Mintybee,
you're absolutely correct on all counts. If I had the time, I might have avoided the interstate and all the madness that goes with it, and driven smaller, slower roads, but we had a time schedule we were trying to keep. I abhor staying at hotels, it doesn't seem to matter how much you pay for a room, there is always someone either next door or overhead or underneath that is noisy. One time we had a room right next to the elevator. That was especially irritating. Vacations are totally exhausting. I'm fortunate that I'm retired and so I didn't have to go to work afterwards. Thanks so much for the thoughtful review.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment from juliaSjames
Oh dear! Sometimes we bite off more than we can chew when it comes to life, and vacations are no exception. I can well imagine how happy you and your wife were to arrive back home.
I hope you took lots of photographs while on vacation so you can enjoy the fun parts at your leisure in the comfort of your own familiar surroundings.
I have a back issue that can trigger painful cramps so sleeping in strange beds can be challenging ! It's always something isn't it? LOL
Thanks for sharing. the ups and downs of your holiday in this well written post.
Blessings, Julia
reply by the author on 19-May-2024
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Oh dear! Sometimes we bite off more than we can chew when it comes to life, and vacations are no exception. I can well imagine how happy you and your wife were to arrive back home.
I hope you took lots of photographs while on vacation so you can enjoy the fun parts at your leisure in the comfort of your own familiar surroundings.
I have a back issue that can trigger painful cramps so sleeping in strange beds can be challenging ! It's always something isn't it? LOL
Thanks for sharing. the ups and downs of your holiday in this well written post.
Blessings, Julia
Comment Written 18-May-2024
reply by the author on 19-May-2024
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Hello Julia,
thanks so much for the wonderful review. We did get a lot of pictures, and as you mention, they will be more enjoyable to view from the comfort of my own home. I get leg cramps at night too, often when I subconsciously stretch my leg. I wish I knew what caused it. They are so painful.
Have a blessed evening gal.
Tom
Comment from estory
What you describe here is the unsettling feeling of visiting your old home after many years and finding it changed; as well as the ups and downs of being on the road and dealing with the people in the next hotel room, car trouble in strange locales, and health issues. Also the commercialization of the great scenic sights that kind of undermines your enjoyment of them. I went back to Long Island after 7 years last year and had much of the same experience. The details in the writing, as well as the personality you bring to the voice, the self depreciating sense of humor, makes this a fun read. estory
reply by the author on 19-May-2024
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What you describe here is the unsettling feeling of visiting your old home after many years and finding it changed; as well as the ups and downs of being on the road and dealing with the people in the next hotel room, car trouble in strange locales, and health issues. Also the commercialization of the great scenic sights that kind of undermines your enjoyment of them. I went back to Long Island after 7 years last year and had much of the same experience. The details in the writing, as well as the personality you bring to the voice, the self depreciating sense of humor, makes this a fun read. estory
Comment Written 18-May-2024
reply by the author on 19-May-2024
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Hello estory,
I'm so glad you enjoyed this little offering. The old saying is true, you can't go home again. The longer you're away, the more things change. Tourism has become such a major money maker to many locales, that everyone seems to be searching for something to attract people to their town. Frankly, I feel like if you live in a town that has a major tourist attraction, and you don't benefit from it directly, you should be given a percentage of the profits to offset the aggravation of having so many extra people interfering with your lifestyle. I guess that's never going to happen though. Oh well.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment from Brenda Strauser
Vacations are supposed to be fun. I had times , where they were more of a hassle and I was glad to get home. I enjoyed reading your story. It is written well and interesting. Great job
reply by the author on 18-May-2024
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Vacations are supposed to be fun. I had times , where they were more of a hassle and I was glad to get home. I enjoyed reading your story. It is written well and interesting. Great job
Comment Written 18-May-2024
reply by the author on 18-May-2024
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Hello Brenda,
thanks so much for the great review gal. I need a vacation after returning for sure. I used to love to drive and see different things, but the madness on the roads was almost unbearable. If we hadn't had to be at various places in a particular time, I might have taken some back roads and spent a little time looking at some of the towns we encountered. I'm sure if I'd had time to go fishing at a few places, I would have enjoyed it more. We've both decided that if we go anywhere else in the future, we'll stay in one place and just branch out from there if we want.
Have a blessed day gal.
Tom
Comment from joann r romei
You certainly did a lot of traveling, and I get it, sometimes it is work to get from place to place, and the different restaurant food can affect your body, but it is nice to travel.
reply by the author on 18-May-2024
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You certainly did a lot of traveling, and I get it, sometimes it is work to get from place to place, and the different restaurant food can affect your body, but it is nice to travel.
Comment Written 17-May-2024
reply by the author on 18-May-2024
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Hi Joann,
I guess I've gotten to the age where traveling isn't as much fun as it used to be. One factor is living in Alaska, we almost have to fly to get to the lower 48, and it can take up to a day or more just getting to the first destination. If I could afford to fly first class, it might be more enjoyable, but the flying experience is a trial all in itself.
Have a blessed day gal.
Tom
Comment from Ric Myworld
Wow, you did some serious traveling on your vacation and I hope you had a wonderful time, but I'm sure you were exhausted by the time you got home. I'm sure you traveled up and down I-75, so you were within about a mile from where I live. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Wow, you did some serious traveling on your vacation and I hope you had a wonderful time, but I'm sure you were exhausted by the time you got home. I'm sure you traveled up and down I-75, so you were within about a mile from where I live. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 17-May-2024
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Hi Ric,
I wish I'd known your address, I would have loved to drop in and say hi. I can't recall where we picked up 75. We were in Tennessee and headed north once we were far enough west, but I don't remember the towns. Are you anywhere close to Florence Kentucky? We spent several nights there. We had some vicious weather several days going through North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky. I'm glad we're out of that. I hope you aren't where all the bad weather is.
Have a blessed day my friend.
Tom
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Hey, Tom,
I sure wish I'd known you were coming. I would have loved to meet up for a bit, if you had had time. I'm in Florence, 11 miles from Cincinnati. We've had more bad storms this year than I can ever remember. It's rained and stormed about every day or the last two weeks but a couple. The worst of the weather missed us, but it was all around.
Blessings,
Ric
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OH Damn! We spent two nights in Florence at the Ashley Quarters Hotel when we got down there. I bought the Immodium and some snacks at the Target store close by. Then on the return trip we stayed at the La Quinta. On the last day, our flight didn't leave until 6:45, and we didn't know what else to do, so we went to the library in Florence to spend a few hours. I was amazed that they had vending machines inside. I saw a book that I own, that is hilarious, on a shelf that says something about humor or being funny or something. It's called the Rosie Project, and if you ever need something to make you laugh, that will do it. We ate at the Texas Roadhouse, and it was delightful, and not too expensive either. I so wish I'd thought about contacting you before we left. I knew you were in Kentucky, but had no idea it was Florence. I'm so sorry we didn't get to meet. We ran into severe weather from North Carolina to Kentucky the last three days. The worst I've ever driven in. We were worried that the flight might be delayed, but fortunately, it wasn't. Perhaps one day we'll meet in person.
Have a blessed day my friend.
Tom
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Yes, it sure would have been nice to spend some time talking with you. But when you're traveling and vacationing it isn't always easy to find the time and keep all your fellow travelers happy too. :-) I live within about a mile from the library or Texas Roadhouse, take your pick. And I certainly would have been excited to have seen you. You're right though, there were bad storms around here for about two straight weeks. Anyway, most importantly, I hope you had a wonderful time!
Many blessing, my friend,
Ric
Comment from Jim Wile
Some people are born travelers; others, like you and me, are not. I'm not overfond of traveling either except for very short trips of 3 or 4 days at most, preferably less. In my case, I can never find a bed that doesn't give me a backache as I sleep in a V at home rather than flat or on my side.
I can definitely identify with your travel woes, including the change in bowel habits. This was a somewhat sad but funny recounting at the same time, Tom. Your Hatteras buddy sounds like a real trip! Does he darn his socks when they wear out?
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Some people are born travelers; others, like you and me, are not. I'm not overfond of traveling either except for very short trips of 3 or 4 days at most, preferably less. In my case, I can never find a bed that doesn't give me a backache as I sleep in a V at home rather than flat or on my side.
I can definitely identify with your travel woes, including the change in bowel habits. This was a somewhat sad but funny recounting at the same time, Tom. Your Hatteras buddy sounds like a real trip! Does he darn his socks when they wear out?
Comment Written 17-May-2024
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Hi Jim,
For the most part I was able to sleep in most of the hotels, I think because the driving just wore me out. We were in one fairly high end hotel that I thought would be quiet, but someone who must have weighed about 400 pounds and had insomnia kept walking back and forth in the room overhead half the night. As much as possible, I like to have some sense of control over my life, which, as you know, is impossible when you travel.
I don't know about the socks, as he wore sandals I think the whole time on the trip. When I visited him nine years before, he said he could live on about $50.00 a month. I had called him a few weeks before we arrived, and he was enjoying a dinner of chicken livers that he'd bought for 89 cents. He was delighted that he could get two meals out of his purchase. I think it's good to be frugal and I believe we're to be good stewards over the money God gives us to use, but, there is a point where frugal becomes cheap, and it's not a good scene. On the flip side, on that trip, he had sent me $800.00 to do what I wanted to do, so I paid for the trip with the money at the time. It takes all kinds to make up this world I guess. Thanks so much for the fun review my friend.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from Terry Broxson
Tom, this is a nicely written story about your vacation experiences. What strikes me as I read your account is that you live in a beautiful place that is a desirable vacation destination. I have been to the places you visited. But I've never been to Alaska. I do imagine you were glad to get home. Terry.
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Tom, this is a nicely written story about your vacation experiences. What strikes me as I read your account is that you live in a beautiful place that is a desirable vacation destination. I have been to the places you visited. But I've never been to Alaska. I do imagine you were glad to get home. Terry.
Comment Written 17-May-2024
reply by the author on 17-May-2024
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Hi Terry,
thanks so much for the fine review. Yes, Alaska is drop dead gorgeous, and it's of course a desirable place to visit. Like anything though, when money is involved, things can go squirrely. The cruise industry ruined the town where we lived for 44 years. What was supposed to be three ships a week with minimal impact on the town soon became three and even four ships a day, with multiple busses and vans passing through, blocking access to the harbor, and making a trip out the logging roads impossible. The thousands of people who embark daily clog the sidewalks and walk in the streets. I'm mindful when I travel not to be the kind of tourist that I've witnessed in Hoonah, where we had people walk on to private property to take selfies and generally treat the area like it was Disneyland and we were all employees. Where I live now, in Wasilla, is between Anchorage and Fairbanks, and the Denali Park is a popular destination. We get the traffic but not so much the individuals walking around, so the impact isn't as noticeable. That being said, I hope that you do get a chance to visit. Personally, I think you can see more if you travel in your own vehicle and can stop where you want when you want and can avoid some of the maddening crowds.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
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Tom, my traveling days are over.
When I read your reply, it occurred to me that it might make a good story if you wrote about living in a tourist area and what it does to a town and the people. I might make a good insight. Food for thought. Terry.
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Hi Terry,
I'll certainly give it some thought. I've mentioned tourism in the past, perhaps in replies. I'll look through my past posts and see if I covered it in any detail. Of course everyone doesn't feel like I do, and I don't want to rain on anyone's parade. Tourism brings a lot of money to the various destinations, but often the bulk of the money goes to a few corporations, like the cruise lines. Thanks for the suggestion.
Blessings,
Tom