Favorite Vacation Spots

You can fall in love at first sight with a place as well as a person.
-- Alec Waugh

Hello, dear reader, and welcome.

Someone asked recently where our 'favorite' place is. That's a hard question to answer.

Home comes first, filled with memories and favorite things. It's the refuge we come back to after we've been away.

Our favorite seashore is Virginia Beach for sentimental reasons. We started going there when our daughter was small. We've been dozens of times, and keep going back. Another favorite is Ft. Meyers in Florida, again for sentimental reasons. It was my dad's favorite – the place he took us for Christmases long ago. After that, it's anywhere with sun and sand …

For mountains, Aspen CO tops the list. It's not at chic as some other resorts in the Rockies, but it's filled with historic flavor in a beautiful setting. Of course, the Great Smokies are also magnificent. We see them more often since we live east of the great Mississippi.

For fun, it's Oatman AZ, a real 'ghost' town, turned tourist mecca and artist colony on old Route 66. Clark Gable and Carole Lombard honeymooned there. We also enjoyed Williams AZ, a former pony express stop and rail depot, also on Route 66. It's now home to the Grand Canyon Railway – an experience in itself, and a great way to see the Grand Canyon.

We'll tell you more about each of them in future posts. You can also join our mailing list at www.touringwithus.com to get our monthly travelzine. It's loaded with travel trivia, vacation ideas, tour and cruise information, and some fun. We hope you'll join our TWU family – whether you're an armchair traveller or a vagabond. Happy travels!

Family Vacations

The only way to live is to accept each minute as an unrepeatable miracle, which is exactly what it is - a miracle and unrepeatable. ~ Margaret Storm Jameson

Well, we're off again on the family vacation circuit: 15 relatives, 2700 miles, eight states, 14 days. South from PA to friends in WV, a recently widowed uncle in Charlotte, Ed's parents in GA; back through VA. Scattered along the route are various siblings, nieces & nephews. Maryland is just a blip on the route, but I still count it! It's quite a trip, but a wonderful way to hug everyone and tell them how much we love them.

The elders are in their mid-80s so we travel this route more often than we used to. Now it's three times a year or more. Sad to say, when they are gone, this trip won't be such a priority. Somehow, once parents are gone, traditions change and many families lose touch. It's part of our scattered lifestyle.

Sometimes, though, the loss of a parent brings siblings closer. That's true for my brother and me. Now we make an effort to get together on a regular basis (he lives in NY), something we never did while mom was still alive. Our sister is on the 'relative vacation' route, so we don't see her as often.

It's interesting to compare stories of our childhood. They are younger than I so the memories are different. I remember vividly our Christmas trips to Florida; he recalls only snippets. My sister remembers almost nothing. I was in college when the 'family' toured New England – no memories for me there. But we love to share stories.

I hope that 2009 is your year for family ties. With cell phones, email and gas prices lower, there's no reason not to keep in touch. No matter what has happened in your past, it's the only family you've got. We lost a much loved younger brother last May – to cancer at 52. There will be no more reunions with him. Forgive, forget, remember the good. And stay in touch. God bless you and your family. ~ Ruth & Ed

One Trip,Two Unique Small Town Museums

I told you a few posts ago that I'd tell you about some of the places we've been visiting recently. We plan a quick day or weekend mini-vacation at least once a month … just to get away. Hope you do the same. Here's one favorite trip we made a few months ago.

Nestled in the hills of northwestern Pennsylvania are two unique museums. Both house an extensive collection of militaria and memorabilia that honor those who fight for freedom around the world. One tells the intimate story of WWII from a small town perspective; the second displays the vehicles and armor of the military since WWI.

We visited them one day last fall with friends. It was a wonderful 'day-cation' – sunshine, fall colors, good company, nice drive, and great lunch! The museums also turned out to be much more than we expected.

The first is in a town of less than 1,000 people. The Eldred WWII Museum is a tribute to the dedicated museum board that labored to bring an exceptional museum to the area. The Allegheny Arms & Armor Museum boasts an extensive collection of retired military … arms and armor. Both were fascinating and well worth the trip.

To read more about these destinations, visit here:
Touring Military Museums in Northwestern PA - Two Unique Collections, Plus a Quaint Dining Spot

They're about an hour from either Buffalo NY or Erie PA. For those who enjoy militaria, museums, and history, this is a great mini-vacation get-away.

Backward A-B-C's are the answer ...

What the mind of man can conceive and believe,

the mind of man can achieve. ~ Napoleon Hill

This backward ABC – conceive, believe, achieve – has been running through my mind a lot lately. It's the conception that always starts a thing … whether it's the worlds greatest invention, a new project or your next vacation.

First, we have to think a thing. Then we meditate on it until it becomes believable. Finally, we act on what we now believe … and whatever it is you thought of becomes physical reality. How awesome!

Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? What would you like to accomplish? In life, for your family, on your next trip?

Dream it.

Think it until it becomes real … until you can 'see' it in your mind.

Then go do it. The world is waiting for you …

Share your dreams with a comment below.

And remember: Life is a journey, travel first class!

Mini-Vacations not "Nay-cations"

Just read an article telling the reader that 2009 will be the year of "nay-cations". He listed nine reasons why Americans will say NO to travel, among them: the economy, the hassle, and the added costs/fees/surcharges.

I'd like to disagree. Giving up vacations is like giving up chocolate! No matter how tough life gets, we still need to reward ourselves with things to look forward to ... things to enjoy. Travel is important to personal well-being.

Here are some tips to make your vacation planning more cost-effective.

Mini-Vacations Not "Nay-cations" - Seven Money-saving Travel Tips

Don't give up the things that keep us sane. Knowing there's a trip in your future gives you something to look forward to. Happy Traveling!

Stuff Happens …

We were near Chicago recently to visit our daughter. A five-day mini-vacation. (That's me with Bojangles & Mr. Mojo at her condo. One's ours, one's hers.) She wanted us to see the view of Lake Michigan from Hancock Tower. We made plans. Drove to the city. Up the elevator – 30 seconds for 95 floors! Or was it 96? Awesome! But the view was non-existent.

The tower was so fogged in we couldn't see the building across the street, let alone Lake Michigan. It was like being in a room with dull white walls. The drinks were good, if pricey, compared to the small town establishments we're used to. And we had a good laugh over all of our efforts gone to naught. It was still a wonderful day and we counted our blessings.

Stuff happens. We've had lost reservations. Hotel fire alarms in the middle of the night (same trip!). Car accidents, and breakdowns (in the passing lane of I-95 during rush hour!). I've had luggage lost (left ashore on a four-day cruise – never did find out if it was the airline or the cruise line), and damaged (liquids all through my clothes).

But we still love to travel and wouldn't exchange any of those experiences if we could. They add character to our stories, depth and laugher to our memories, and remind us of how blessed we really are to be able to experience so much in our lives.

May you have some wonderfully quirky experiences during your travels, as well. Share them with our readers by posting a comment below.

Touring Rural Museums

We had the opportunity recently to visit several small-town museums. In each case, we've been pleasantly surprised at the depth and variety on display. They evolve from the loving care of dedicated volunteers, committed fund-raisers, and usually a handful of paid staff.

Actually, the opportunity has always been there. They each opened a decade or more ago. We paid little attention because 'touring' is supposed to be further than the next town. How much we miss by not really seeing the blessings around us!

I'll tell you more about each of them in future posts. In the meantime, take a closer look at the wonderful experiences available near you. Tour your local historical center; try a new restaurant. Visit a nearby museum. Re-explore a state or national park in your area.
Be open to new opportunities and experiences. 2009 can be your year of multiple mini-vacations! They're joy for your soul. Good travels!

Happy New Year!

We've been neglectful for several months. Sometimes life just throws more at us than we can handle. Two surgeries, ailing parents, two family deaths, crises at our 'regular' jobs … last year was a roller coaster, and we're glad to see it go. We have great hope that 2009 will be easier, happier, more peaceful. We also have more travel plans for the coming months and are looking forward to sharing our explorations with you, our dear reader and friend. In the meantime, start this new year with anticipation. Meditate on the good things that you want to draw into your life. Stay focused on the goodness around and always be thankful! May this year be your best ever …