So, tell me...what do you think about travel? Something to look forward to? Something to be endured? Something to be avoided? What about modes of travel? Which is your favorite? Cruising? Train? Plane? Automobile? (I would include biking or walking, but I am talking about cross country right now.) How do you feel about packing? I have a routine and am OK with it except when I have to pack for cold weather, moderate weather and warm weather all at once. OK with it except when I have to pack hiking wear, swimming wear, and dinner wear for the same trip as I am doing this time.
I used to love getting on an airplane, but with all the stupid restrictions, the tightening of space, the awful food, and the long security lines, I actually dread getting on a plane. I do like train travel but have not done much of it, and so cannot really tell you if I would like it as a permanent selection. Cruising on a large ship is my absolutely least favorite way to get somewhere. I hate the fact that I am stuck on a manufactured moving island with too many people. Eating, drinking high caloric substances and enduring manufactured fun are on the agenda and then you are allowed to disgorge somewhere for the day and fight everyone else to the museums, tourist shops and restaurants. (I am not talking about the small cruise ships because they have much to recommend them.)
Anyway, this trip is by automobile. Heading down to Georgia (Savannah) for a few days and then to Kissimmee, Marco Island and Ocala before heading home. Husband is staying on for a half week canoe trip into the wilderness (and yes I do have thoughts of widowhood as I send him off to do his favorite things) and I will catch a plane out of Orlando back home to my daughter's house where I will have left my car.
Will there be posts along the way? Maybe...now go back and answer my questions in the first paragraph in your comments. Oh, yes, those were prehistoric sharks teeth in the last post.)
Hmmm... Planes are okay because it's still the fastest way to get somewhere that is far away, and it forces me to pack light.
ReplyDeleteI like trains. It's relaxing - relatively speaking.
I HATE packing because of all the reasons you mentioned and because I always over pack... as if I am never coming home or as if there won't be a store available where I'm going. What has helped me over the last 8 years or so, is a list that is kept on my computer to be printed out. It is very detailed; down to floss and a nail file.
Driving helps with the over packing because there is always room in the car.
As for traveling, I still like seeing new places and doing new things most of the time opportunity arises. There have been a few times when I just want to say home.
EnJoy your adventure and I hope your husband does, too! He'll make it back home. :)
Well, travel to me is something to be avoided... First of all, unfortunately I fear so much planes and it is a great limitation, a restriction to travel abroad and to see countries that I would love to know. I prefer automobile. I don't like packing at all. I have been traveling vicariously through my blog friends.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your trip and the same to your your husband. :)
I am partial to trains and ferry boat travel. Planes have become far too annoying for me and plus the air always seems bad. Most likely to drive somewhere these days however.
ReplyDeleteHi! And 1. you're welcome about the last comment.
ReplyDelete2. Can't for the life of me figure out the math mistake, but there were reasons as to why I majored in English. ;)
3. We LOVE to travel in all forms. We've done about 6 cruises (never on the bohemoths), and will be cruising to warmer climate soon. I'm okay once I board an airplane -- like it much more when we've ticketed for specific seats. The security doesn't bother me -- I've been patted down so many times, I've come to enjoy it.
I hate packing. I never know what to take -- like when we went to Alaska when it was summer here...still had to take a coat and warm clothing, and 'medium' clothing for the PNW, and then summer duds for Southern California!
It really depends on where you're going. In Europe I love traveling by train. If you're going to Tahiti I prefer cruising.
ReplyDeleteWow, you are embarking on a good mid winter trip: I hope all goes smoothly.
ReplyDeleteTraveling is something I both enjoy and also dread, all at the same time. I'm always so glad to get home afterwards. As for mode of travel, Stephen is right about the trains in Europe, and that goes for Japan also. Planes are difficult in the winter, but how else are you gonna go long distances? I wish we had better trains in the US.
I do like to travel, although packing is my least favorite part of it. Domestically we usually fly to a destination and rent a car to do road trip in that erea. Internationally we have done the same thing and have had some wonderful trips. Now we want to be a little more taken care of. We did two back to back river boat cruises in Europe, connected by train travel that went well. I guess the pain of travel comes back to the packing - taking too much and having to manage heavy luggage.
ReplyDeleteHI there, Wow---what a marvelous trip... I love traveling --but I also enjoy getting back home!!! There's nothing like home.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to some upcoming trips we have planned... Thank Goodness--they will be trips we WANT to do! We always take our Prius--since that's our favorite mode of travel.
Packing can be hard when going from Winter to Summer. BUT--since you will be in your car, you don't have to pack lightly.. Just stick anything you think you might need in your car!!!!
Just relax and have a GREAT time.
Hugs,
Betsy
I'm always afraid to pack things I don't want to lose permanently, because of lost luggage. So never the best hair-brush, swim suit, ect- Checked luggage n TSA ripping the contents all askew- why I hate planes- but like the actual flying with a window seat on a sunny day.
ReplyDeleteMore paranoid of train wrecks lately. Driving there always wins, but more tiring. Ferries ok- never been on a large cruise ship. Like small watercraft.
After 911 I drove to the FL Keys cause I wouldn't get on a plane...
Have a fun time!
I like the idea of travel more than the reality anymore. Plane travel these days is no different than being on a school bus. A large cruise ship has no appeal--I would be more likely to take a bus tour actually. Train travel seems so indirect and drawn out to actually schedule. I would not mind driving so much if only there were dedicated, separate roads for trucks. Packing is not a problem for me since I never go anywhere that has other than the need for my simple casual wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteAs I get older, the bother of travel is um more of a bother. I just wish I could teleport myself to the destination. Oddly enough, I like driving, but the packing, loading and unloading are a bother. Not to mention that my hip doesn't like driving so much any more. I hope it goes well for you, though.
ReplyDeleteI am not a cruiser. Or a tour person. Being on a bus or ship with large numbers does not work for me. I enjoy the adventure of discovering something new, something I haven't seen before. The culture, the people. I will always return to New York City, New Orleans, Paris -- but most of our trips, unless visiting family, are to places we haven't seen before. As for packing, I've become a minimalist. One dress, one skirt that matches three tops, which go with two pair of pants and two pair of shorts. Sweater. Socks underwear. Two pair of comfortable shoes. The less I have to carry, the happier I am.
ReplyDeleteIF driving, which we do a lot, the freedom of taking anything and everything reigns.
Enjoy your trip. Have a very good time.
People in sweatsuits at the senior citizen table are always asking, "what trips do yo have planned?"
ReplyDelete"um none"
Loneliness of the long distance runner.
Single supplements, beyond believable.
I travel to get warm, to experience sunshine more than twenty minutes a day, or to visit family.
With a good travel partner I would be more adventurous.
I dread air travel too and used to like it. I traveled once by train across country and it was okay but slow. I probably will never go on a cruise (except maybe a river cruise like the one you took). I hate long drives too, just seems we've done so many. Lately planning trips is like putting in the long awaited deck on the side of our house, all talk and no action. Were the Moody Blues right? Is thinking the best way to travel?
ReplyDeleteOh train any old time. I love having my own tiny room. And first class on the train gets you simple foods and rides through the train stations as if you were hot stuff. LOL The train stations are a side benefit....those giant creations that symbolized how mighty we once were.
ReplyDeleteWe are flying to Florida in April to catch one of those way too big, box ships. He chose this time. Flying first class was only 50 dollars more on a Monday than cramp't tourist. 3 bags each are free, and they feed us. I'm a little cynical about this. LOL
Train first. Plane not at all, and HAL small ships yes. :)
I've never cruised and doubt I ever will because I get motion-sick easily. We usually fly or drive. I agree about the airlines, though - it's such hassle nowadays. Have fun on your latest jaunt.
ReplyDeleteWe live in Hawaii, which means our whole way of life depends on air travel.
ReplyDeleteWe have figured out how to ride the magic carpets without too much inconvenience.
I came across country on a bus once. Cramped seats, noise and dirt, scary restrooms. Never again. I have relatives in the PNW so flying is the easiest way to get to them. I once traveled six weeks in Europe with just what fit in a backpack - two tees, 2 jeans, 2 changes of underwear, a little black dress, a pair of flats and a nightshirt. I wore a third pair of pants along with hiking boots, a sweater and jacket for traveling. If I was younger I'd backpack and walk cross-country but those days are far behind me. I'm now reliant on wheels and wings.
ReplyDeleteI have not traveled by plane since 1999. It was only from Dallas and the delays were so horrible and it took such a long time to get home that I could have driven it twice and this was typical before 9/11. Automobile is my mode of transportation because I have so many medical supplies and when Ron was alive we really had a lot. I am hoping 2014 will open up some nice trips for me to visit old friends.
ReplyDeleteBecause I travel to the States about 5 times a year I think I have packing down to a fine art now. I enjoy the flight once we get through security at the airport. We go and have a nice meal, if I'm with my partner I go in, as a guest into the First Class BA Lounge so I read the newspaper and have a beer and then chill until we get on the plane. Some people say flying 11 hours economy is tough, but I'm fine with it. I sleep as much as I can, have a few bottles of wine and watch some movies. It's all good.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely hate traveling! I never enjoyed it, but the final straw was in the early 1960s on a bus trip in Wale's Snowden Mountains when I got motion sick for the first time. [And, before everyone chimes in, I have tried everything available to fight it.] Luckily, I live in NJ which has everything you could possibly want to see...four beautiful seasons, the shore, the mountains, concerts, museums, history (Crossroads of the Revolution), open space,hiking and biking, educational opportunities, wonderful restaurants, parks (like Six Flags), etc.
ReplyDelete