What do you do for vacation

[dusty3030]

Colorado

View attachment 423561

 

[oldpilgrim]

my 89 yo father in law, who needs regular looking after lives with us. My 90 yo parents need constant attention.

We haven't had a vacation in over 5 years.

I don't know what we'll do when we're cut loose...will probably be too old to do much of anything.

 

[ovrszd]

My parents took a few cruises. My father passed away in '11. A year or so ago, my wife and I decided that my Mother would enjoy getting away for awhile, so we took her on a cruise. My mother enjoyed it, my wife tolerated it, and I disliked it.

I know lots of people that take one or two cruises a year and when they get back they can't wait to plan the next one. But it's not for me. As I said above, I like to wander and really experience a place. Everything on the cruise was "artificial" and when we got to port, they tried to funnel us into touristy "excursions." The only time I enjoyed the trip was when we were off on our own exploring the villages away from the ports.

The biggest surprise to me was the food. Most "cruisers" rave about the cuisine on these boats. My wife and I really enjoy fine dining, so I did a lot of research before I booked and made sure to pick a boat/line where the food was especially well-reviewed. It turned out to be mediocre at best and a big disappointment. People around us were all enjoying it, so I think that most go into it with different expectations than we had.

We had a similar experience when we spent half a week at an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica (We were there for a destination wedding). There were tons of people around us sucking down cheap booze and having a grand time, but we ended up just counting the hours until we could get out of there.

I think a cruise is especially one of those vacations people take to be around people. I've never been. Don't think I would fair well. Our daughter, husband and 3 pre-teen girls went on a 5 day cruise recently. They described it as awesome the first day, mediocre the second day, tolerable the third, stayed in their cabin and watched movies the fourth. Only thing they enjoyed were the excursions.

 

[Egon]

Vacation time, a time to enjoy an activity in a place that lies over the hill and beyond. Peace & quiet, good company, tall tales and sweat may all be involved.

Following the umbrella just don't cut it!

 

[EddieWalker]

I've only been on 3 cruises. First time was with a friend during spring break to Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. It was two days at sea before getting there, and after that long, I wasn't sure I would ever go on another cruise. Part of the problem was there was only so much to do on the ship. She loved laying out and tanning. I could care less about getting a tan. It was spring break and the boat was full of college kids. Running around, making noise and really acting like ten year olds. Plus the families with the kids that really where ten years old trying to make more noise then the college kids. After that, I wasn't too interested in another cruise, but then a member on here posted pics of his Med cruise that looked great. Then a client went on one and posted pics on FB that where even more interesting. I looked into it and the price was amazing!!! We went and had a fantastic time. All older people who didn't make any noise at all. It was the perfect cruise. We liked it so much that we went on another to Honduras, Belize and Cozumel. It was in February, so no kids and mostly retired people, which seems to be the secret to a great cruise!!!!

Eddie

 

[ovrszd]

I've only been on 3 cruises. First time was with a friend during spring break to Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. It was two days at sea before getting there, and after that long, I wasn't sure I would ever go on another cruise. Part of the problem was there was only so much to do on the ship. She loved laying out and tanning. I could care less about getting a tan. It was spring break and the boat was full of college kids. Running around, making noise and really acting like ten year olds. Plus the families with the kids that really where ten years old trying to make more noise then the college kids. After that, I wasn't too interested in another cruise, but then a member on here posted pics of his Med cruise that looked great. Then a client went on one and posted pics on FB that where even more interesting. I looked into it and the price was amazing!!! We went and had a fantastic time. All older people who didn't make any noise at all. It was the perfect cruise. We liked it so much that we went on another to Honduras, Belize and Cozumel. It was in February, so no kids and mostly retired people, which seems to be the secret to a great cruise!!!!

Eddie

All of that makes perfect sense Eddie. But then, when you were on the cruise with all the kids, they thought you were the "old people".

 

[EddieWalker]

True. But in my case, I find it easier to spend time with and carry on a conversation with people my age and a lot older. Those 20 year olds are impossible to understand or relate to!!!

Eddie

 

[dusty3030]

True. But in my case, I find it easier to spend time with and carry on a conversation with people my age and a lot older. Those 20 year olds are impossible to understand or relate to!!!

Eddie

You reach a point in your life when you realize why Charles Shulz made the adult voices in Charlie Brown sound like "wah, wah, wahh, wah".
A day or reckoning comes when it hits you mid conversation with a person half your age that they don't understand a **** word you are saying nor do you understand them.

 

[mjarrels]

The cruise on everybody loves raymond when ray and his mom take a cruise together is enough to make me want to stay home!

mark

 

[Creamer]

Maybe it is my background but I love the Black Hills of SD. The mountains and caves along with the parks - it seems to really be a relaxed area with a lot of variety. Yellowstone or Glacier National Parks are not far behind though.

 

[HCJtractor]

As much as I love the outdoors, the historical cities of Europe are amazing. Leaving soon for Paris and then a trip to Normandy and Britanny. Interestingly, as I was planning my route, I mentioned this to my Dad. He pulled out his diary from 1944, 1945, where he listed all the French cities and beaches he was "visiting". He was a very young man on a landing ship, ferrying troops and materials of war across the English Channel from England to the beaches of Normandy. Now 70 years later, I am visiting many of these same places under different circumstances. I'm traveling with my daughter, who is studying in France, so she can for herself where the greatest generation changed the world. I'm excited about this upcoming trip.

 

[ovrszd]

True. But in my case, I find it easier to spend time with and carry on a conversation with people my age and a lot older. Those 20 year olds are impossible to understand or relate to!!!

Eddie

Me too Eddie.

 

[Creamer]

As much as I love the outdoors, the historical cities of Europe are amazing. Leaving soon for Paris and then a trip to Normandy and Britanny. Interestingly, as I was planning my route, I mentioned this to my Dad. He pulled out his diary from 1944, 1945, where he listed all the French cities and beaches he was "visiting". He was a very young man on a landing ship, ferrying troops and materials of war across the English Channel from England to the beaches of Normandy. Now 70 years later, I am visiting many of these same places under different circumstances. I'm traveling with my daughter, who is studying in France, so she can for herself where the greatest generation changed the world. I'm excited about this upcoming trip.

having lived in France - not in Paris - I sure wouldn't miss never seeing Paris again. But Normandy, Brittany and down the Rhone river valley are wonderful places to get perspective. Enjoy a great trip!

 

[mark02tj]

As much as I love the outdoors, the historical cities of Europe are amazing. Leaving soon for Paris and then a trip to Normandy and Britanny. Interestingly, as I was planning my route, I mentioned this to my Dad. He pulled out his diary from 1944, 1945, where he listed all the French cities and beaches he was "visiting". He was a very young man on a landing ship, ferrying troops and materials of war across the English Channel from England to the beaches of Normandy. Now 70 years later, I am visiting many of these same places under different circumstances. I'm traveling with my daughter, who is studying in France, so she can for herself where the greatest generation changed the world. I'm excited about this upcoming trip.

Too bad you can't take your dad with you. But this should be a great trip for you and your daughter.

My dad was USAF and we were stationed in Germany from '68 to '72. We, as kids, were fortunate that my parents liked to travel. Some of the most vivid memories that I have are from going down the French coast and seeing the pill boxes and remnants of the war that were still there at the time. Also, seeing the US cemeteries in Belgium and France were very moving. I was only about 9 years old at the time, but I remember it vividly. I was going through some 40 year old slides last year and came across a lot of those pictures. I knew instantly what they were!

 

[oldpilgrim]

I lived in Germany for over 3 years, nearly 50 years ago, got married in Switzerland and toured all over Europe during that time.

As nice as it was, for some reason, I really have no desire to go back.

I've traveled all over the US and am about traveled out. I will not fly anymore, as I hate airplanes and the TSA even more. Airports are a nightmare.

If I can't drive there in a day, I don't go.

There's something about sitting on my porch, looking at the trees, listening to the birds, watching the turkeys and deer pass thru, with my dog at my side.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm tied down with elderly, ill parents. Just finding time to sit on my porch or work on the property with my tractor is a vacation for me.

 

[ovrszd]

I lived in Germany for over 3 years, nearly 50 years ago, got married in Switzerland and toured all over Europe during that time.

As nice as it was, for some reason, I really have no desire to go back.

I've traveled all over the US and am about traveled out. I will not fly anymore, as I hate airplanes and the TSA even more. Airports are a nightmare.

If I can't drive there in a day, I don't go.

There's something about sitting on my porch, looking at the trees, listening to the birds, watching the turkeys and deer pass thru, with my dog at my side.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm tied down with elderly, ill parents. Just finding time to sit on my porch or work on the property with my tractor is a vacation for me.

I hear ya. "Jewels in your Crown" for your diligence with the elderly generation Pilgrim, Jewels in your Crown.

 

[5030]

I go somewhere remote and blow the heck out of something.

 

[DrRod]

Taking a vacation is more than "making my life worthwhile." As much as I enjoy where we live, we enjoy seeing new places, meeting new people, and learning about other cultures. And sometimes it's good to get away just to get away. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, after all.

Good point.

 

[MoKelly]

True. But in my case, I find it easier to spend time with and carry on a conversation with people my age and a lot older. Those 20 year olds are impossible to understand or relate to!!!

Eddie

OMG. LOL:laughing: Try having 2 for children at the same time.

MoKelly