As a bee in flight to find pollen, the radius covered is less than 5 miles, typically 2-3 at the most. From a bee’s perspective, that’s a damn big world.
And as my Mr. always says, “I wouldn’t want to paint it.” The world is a big place to travel, no matter who you are.
Our honeymoon was the first time Mr. and I traveled together.
We caught a plane and went all the way from Wisconsin to Florida.
Upon arrival, we got a message from back home (a phone call…this was back before everyone had a cell phone), the buzz was, “There’s another round of layoffs coming.” Mr. could be one of those chosen to leave.
There we sat in our hotel room, (it was pouring rain, so we were safely tucked away playing cards and eating Chef Boyardee from a can) with the news, we stared at each other with love and tempestuous fear in our eyes – we didn’t know if Mr. would have a job when we returned. We wanted to tuck and hide from the scary future.
It was not exactly the news you want to hear as newlyweds. We had dreams to build a house, raise a family, and all that fun stuff. We knew us traveling would be an eccentric thing if we wanted all of that, especially on an undetermined income if he lost his job. So we enjoyed every minute of our honeymoon, it may be our last chance to travel.
Once we survived that round of layoffs, we felt confident Mr.’s job would last for a few more years. We felt safe enough to have children, get two cats, a dog or two, and wallah, we filled our house.
For us to drop everything to travel on a whim went from 2-0 in a hurry. We had responsibilities. With little ones and pets around, a fence was needed to keep everyone contained. The travel budget consumed for safety purposes.
While we still don’t travel much, we are content in our little world.
Every 3 years or so we take a big trip. Our favorite spot is Negril, Jamaica. I’m always drawn to the idea of relaxing on a beach somewhere.
In between our big trips, we stay home or take a day or weekend trip within driving distance from home. Kind of like bees, we stick to what we know works for us.
We love our home, our yard, and, of course, our pets who still need us here in our empty nest. Our kids travel more than we ever did. Even though part of me wishes we could drop everything and go wherever like they do, I don’t know that I would. I admire them for making sure travel is part of their lifestyles because it is important for them to do so.
For now, an open gate in our backyard, and I travel with my little companion who joins me on yard adventures. Our adventures close to home are a-okay with me!
Maybe, someday traveling will be for us, too? In the meantime, it is fun to dream once in a while. So if I could be a world-traveling blogger, where would I go? I’ll need to do some research…thank goodness there are awesome travel bloggers out there to check out. For today, I shall travel and see the world through the Lens-Artists Fence Prompt!
Post Inspiration – #MyBlogMyWritingStyle 30 Day Blogging Challenge (guidelines here) Word Prompt – World; Word of the Day Tempestuous, Jo’s Monday Walk, and Lens-Artists.
PS – How about you, where would you travel if you were a traveling blogger? Do you like to travel or are you content to stay home?
Travel is essential especially for empty nesters or in older age. Freedom, culture, architecture, history, people …. all waiting for you. But remember it is YOU who is the foreigner! Since retirement we have travelled around the world, USA, China, Arctic Circle, Spain, Italy, France, Hungary, Czech Republic, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, South Africa, Nepal, Thailand …… But we should always travel locally as we learned a few years back and are still touring England! Castles, vineyards, history, battle sites, monasteries, old docks, cities, beaches … we have them all. Oh, and I was “laid off” three times in my life, never did me any harm!
I’m so tickled to hear from you again, you famous Wine Judge!! I’m always inspired by your travel stories and pictures! You’ve been to so many places I’ve had on a ‘someday maybe’ list. We’ve got much to see in our local state first, that should put the bug in us to travel further! You updated your blog again, and I like the new look! Love that Dr. C is like me, busy taking photos of everything! https://thetwodoctors.wordpress.com/2018/09/10/wines-101-wife-snaps-while-i-drink/
Hoping for more of our England tour this month then Florence in October. Good friends with a wine sommelier in Italy who has advised me a lot, a young woman trying hard to get followers on her blog. She’s a guest poster on mine on Wednesday, follow her? http://www.vinthropology.wordpress.com if you would like to or encourage as well with a comment or two?
Yay, I’m looking forward to more about England! I’m following her now – thanks for the suggestion!
Thank you 👍👍
Great post 😁😊
Fun post Shelley! My first trip was to France. Had never been abroad before by had a chance to study there. I’ve had wanderlust ever since! Been most everywhere in the world and adored every trip but still, like you, am fortunate to love home the best!
Thank you, Tina! Someday…France…ah, yes, someday! You’re so fortunate to have been able to travel that much – and you’ve been able to get so many beautiful photos while traveling. I’m envious, but thankful to see the world through your lens! 🙂
We don’t travel anymore. All our travel was done by car before I had the stroke, and since then, we live our lives in a 5 square mile area, which suits us just fine.
We all have that special place we call home for a reason! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
I think travel definitely surges and wanes with different times of life. For sure the dating/engaged/newlyweds are yet to be tied down and more likely to jet set around the world 🙂
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http://www.areweadultsyet.com
Yes…and your blogging adventures and tales of such take me places I’ve yet to travel! Thank you for that!
Lovely post! And …it made me remember my Voltaire (speaking of France).
“Let us cultivate our garden.” Voltaire made Candide travel the world just to find out that what makes you happy and content – is just what is said in those final words…I have traveled for 45 years, and still love it, but… Voltaire and Candide are right.
Thank you, Leya, glad the post sparked some happy memories for you. I’m envious of your years of traveling, and your photos, they are so gorgeous! Yes, let us cultivate our garden is a beautiful message!
And I do believe that is the way humans work!
My comment seems to have disappeared in the cyberspace…I wanted to say I love your post, and it reminded me of my Voltaire. He made Candide travel the world, just to say
“Let us cultivate our garden.” And after 45 years of traveling I agree. This is what makes you content and happy. I love traveling, but life has taught me to find harmony at home, in my own garden.
My comments back are slow to respond! Sorry!
😉
So sorry Shelley! I must have seen this, but not seen it, if you know what I mean? Sometimes my Jo’s Monday walk page gets overlooked because most people comment on the last walk. Thankfully I was on there to pick up another walk and spotted this. 🙂
🙂 It’s beautifully written too! Humble apologies! I will include it in next week’s walk, which will be my last for a while.
No worries! It’s likely my fault for not knowing where to post ;-)! I’m thankful you did pick up my post, and that you stopped by to say hi. Thank you for the future include, and I wish you well on your respite from walking – hope all is well!!
Fine thanks, though a bit hectic pending a move to the Algarve. 🙂 🙂 My comment disappeared into the ether so I’m glad you’ve got it. 🙂
I wish you a smooth and enjoyable moving adventure! I’m slow to approve comments somedays…sorry! Your comment was appreciated once I found it!! 🙂