Take advantage of healthy years...now?

[Rachel]

I'm wondering how those of you in your mid-70's are dealing with the fact that it is most likely now or never for this demographic to engage in active travel experiences ... while the economy is going haywire.

We delayed our more expensive dreams for such a long time. We've done a few, and we are thankful for these.

We always knew there would be ups and downs in our portfolio, but we didn't expect the chaos and extreme unpredictability of the entire system.

I realize there are a lot worse problems to have...

[iris lilies]

I really want at least one more overseas blow out trip. Maybe two.

I have travel ennui, which is so annoying because I have time to travel and I have money to travel. But I will say honestly I’m a little worried about getting Covid and being stuck in a European hotel while recovering. Everyone I know who travels extensively comes home sick.

instead, my traveling this year so far looks like it has looked in the past couple of years: I travel to plant seminars, workshops, and shows, in nearby states and stay in boring undistinguished hotels in boring, undistinguished towns.

[Tybee]

I think somehow we missed that healthy stage, so I guess our travel plans are scaled back at 69 and 70.

[Rogar]

I'm not quite mid-seventies, but I have little or no desire to travel as a tourist and deal with airports, strange beds in motels, tourist shops, rude tourists, or lines for attractions. I took my last backpacking trip when I was 65 and have regrets that I'm probably not physically capable of that any more. I do still bicycle and hike locally and take a few close-by fishing trips. As a poet once said, enjoying local wonders, so basically travel a few times a week.

I pretty much filled much of my wider travels dance card in years past.

[catherine]

i'm 73, and my travel desires are minimal. This year I'll be doing my annual trip to see my 8 college friends/partners. Luckily, I don't have to get on a plane--it will be in Gloucester, MA this year. Over the next couple of years, I'd like to use my saved frequent flier miles--inflation is hitting those, too, so I'd like to use them before they either go away or devalue.

So, really, the current state of affairs hasn't made me feel that I am losing out on any special experiences.

[HappyHiker]

Sometimes my favorite travel experiences are coming home to my own bed. We're doing car trips at this time of our lives. Flying has become too troublesome and uncomfortable...and our current political climate makes me concerned about leaving our nation--we're not a favored country right now among other places across our border...

[iris lilies]

I'm not quite mid-seventies, but I have little or no desire to travel as a tourist and deal with airports, strange beds in motels, tourist shops, rude tourists, or lines for attractions. I took my last backpacking trip when I was 65 and have regrets that I'm probably not physically capable of that any more. I do still bicycle and hike locally and take a few close-by fishing trips. As a poet once said, enjoying local wonders, so basically travel a few times a week.

I pretty much filled much of my wider travels dance card in years past.

The dread of airports and crowded planes is one thing that keeps me home.

[pinkytoe]

I guess I'm basically a homebody. As a retiree, I am supposed to be traveling around the world and playing pickleball or so I read. Airports, crowds, flying in general, mediocre food, tourist spots - it just doesn't appeal at all. If I am out in the garden or hiking close by, I am content. A few road trips now and then is enough though I would like to see New England next fall.

[Rachel]

These are words of wisdom. Contentment and intentionality in every reply. Thanks for sharing these perspective.

[frugal-one]

Like those who expounded above….I plan on traveling in the US. We said early on we would travel to exotic and hard to reach places when we were younger. When we got older we would stay in the states, where it is easier to travel, and take advantage of senior discounts.