Posts
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| Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York
( A suburb of Buffalo, N.Y.)
and has worked in the ophthalmology
field of medicine for over 30 years
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Travel becomes more difficult as you age
We have flown to several destinations and have made several trips during our lives; as we “mature” the travel has become more of a planned effort as we have begun our 60's.
Packing clothing is not a problem; it's all the other necessities that need to come along that have increased over the years. We say things like “we better bring this just in case,” they seem to be popular phrases these days.
It seems one can't count on an “on time” schedule with the airlines keeping these days, a vacation can turn into a few extra days as we recently endured. Due to over use of airplanes causing mechanical problems and reduced flights, the planes are over used and packed with people; not a free seat to be had. Throw some weather delays and mechanical problems in there and you have added time onto a planned vacation. One must plan for this now and take extra sundry
items and medications to be prepared.
If we are traveling into a different time zone, it seems to take longer for the adjustment to meals and sleep time than it used to - when we were much younger it was an easier adjustment. You need to plan
for a day or two to adjust and readjust when returning.
Depending on the airline you choose, you must pack food to take along for a long flight. Will it spoil, will it leak into your carry bag? All these things take time to prepare properly with the “just in case”
in mind..
The weather seems to be crazy all over the country these days. We are having snow in Spring, rain storms in Summer in warm climates...Years ago we could count on warm weather out west a certain time of year, now its a gamble. Better pack a warmer coat along and with sandals to be prepared.
We just returned from a week long vacation that turned into 9 days because of travel complications and delays out of our control. After returning from our ordeal, I felt like I needed another vacation!
I love taking a vacation more than anyone but after dealing with hotel issues, airplane problems and weather conditions it can be exhausting. I know I realize that it is a part of travel at times when you fly. Actually we have taken a few driving vacations which I have grown to enjoy almost more than flying.
There is much beauty to enjoy in our country and driving affords us time to stretch legs and enjoy the scenery much more than from 30,000 feet above.
At times it is hard to fit a driving vacation in because of the time factor...it simply takes longer to reach a destination when you are still working a fixed schedule.
I remember with fondness the old commercial phrase “see the USA in your Chevrolet”, when flying vacations were not as popular and an airline trip was not affordable. As a child we never took a flying
vacation, only road trips.
(Check out Dinah Shore singing , "See the USA in your Chevrolet!")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boertpylK0M
I never flew until I reached teenager age; my children began flying with us as babies. Again, time constraints dictated a quicker way to arrive at a destination. I don't remember any delays back then and there always seemed to open seats throughout the plane to spread out your belongings.
I'm sure this flying “protest” will wear off soon enough when I feel I need to “get away” before the end of the year. It's just a fact of the times and I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet...
Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared From Facebook...
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| Why vacation when we can eat like Kings and Queens in the comfort of our own home! Best part, no kids kicking the back of our seats! |
Packing clothing is not a problem; it's all the other necessities that need to come along that have increased over the years. We say things like “we better bring this just in case,” they seem to be popular phrases these days.
It seems one can't count on an “on time” schedule with the airlines keeping these days, a vacation can turn into a few extra days as we recently endured. Due to over use of airplanes causing mechanical problems and reduced flights, the planes are over used and packed with people; not a free seat to be had. Throw some weather delays and mechanical problems in there and you have added time onto a planned vacation. One must plan for this now and take extra sundry
items and medications to be prepared.
If we are traveling into a different time zone, it seems to take longer for the adjustment to meals and sleep time than it used to - when we were much younger it was an easier adjustment. You need to plan
for a day or two to adjust and readjust when returning.
Depending on the airline you choose, you must pack food to take along for a long flight. Will it spoil, will it leak into your carry bag? All these things take time to prepare properly with the “just in case”
in mind..
The weather seems to be crazy all over the country these days. We are having snow in Spring, rain storms in Summer in warm climates...Years ago we could count on warm weather out west a certain time of year, now its a gamble. Better pack a warmer coat along and with sandals to be prepared.
We just returned from a week long vacation that turned into 9 days because of travel complications and delays out of our control. After returning from our ordeal, I felt like I needed another vacation!
I love taking a vacation more than anyone but after dealing with hotel issues, airplane problems and weather conditions it can be exhausting. I know I realize that it is a part of travel at times when you fly. Actually we have taken a few driving vacations which I have grown to enjoy almost more than flying.
There is much beauty to enjoy in our country and driving affords us time to stretch legs and enjoy the scenery much more than from 30,000 feet above.
At times it is hard to fit a driving vacation in because of the time factor...it simply takes longer to reach a destination when you are still working a fixed schedule.
I remember with fondness the old commercial phrase “see the USA in your Chevrolet”, when flying vacations were not as popular and an airline trip was not affordable. As a child we never took a flying
vacation, only road trips.
(Check out Dinah Shore singing , "See the USA in your Chevrolet!")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boertpylK0M
I never flew until I reached teenager age; my children began flying with us as babies. Again, time constraints dictated a quicker way to arrive at a destination. I don't remember any delays back then and there always seemed to open seats throughout the plane to spread out your belongings.
I'm sure this flying “protest” will wear off soon enough when I feel I need to “get away” before the end of the year. It's just a fact of the times and I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet...
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"Judy, Judy, Judy!"
P.S.
Check out Dakine blogs;
"Travel is not for the faint of heart."
"Flying sure ain't what it used to be."
|
3 comments:
Bettejo Dux said by email, " Judith, come to Hawaii. I'm trying to learn to send videos, which I can do with my new iPhone. I'm hopeless but I'll figure it out and drive you all crazy. A 'gran tour' of Ari's house. I can pick it up, my voice is shaky and it's awful but it's a start, now if I can get it on Facebook. You'll see and hear Duke. See the mess the place is now. but just wait. Hele on to Kauai..."
Glenn Mickens said by email, "travel at older ages becomes a real chore. I went on our baseball alumni trips around the world (France, Australia, Spain, the Prague, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Canada =) and continued to throw batting practice till I was 84. But the long plane rides were just too hard so I am happy to have hung up the glove, spikes and jock strap and just be satisfied with being the official scorer and arbitrator for the KIF here on Kauai.
I do feel very fortunate to have had baseball all my life to take me to all these places and I hope kids today can follow in my footsteps.
When kids stay involved with sports and getting good grades in school they stay out of trouble with drugs and trouble they do not need."
Regards,
Glenn
I will travel more. I'm just feeling tired this month but I plan on getting back on the horse soon
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