Hubs and I are getting ready to do some more Voyaging! Next week, we’ll head to Phoenix, Arizona, escaping what is predicted to be the next wave of snowy weather here in Idaho.
In our years on the Voyage, we’ve learned some things about traveling together. It hasn’t always come without some tensions and bumps in the road. But as I’m sure many other retirees can attest, there are compromises which must be made:
Relaxation vs. Adventure – I’m more of an adrenaline junkie. He’s more of a sip wine and read kind of guy.
Planned out or “Fly by the Seat of Our Pants” – Our compromise is usually a little of each. I like to do some initial research. We schedule things only as the events require. (We’ve been saddened when attractions were closed on the day we wanted to visit.)
On water vs. On land – Some people love cruising. Others can’t stand the idea of being stuck in the middle of the ocean. Some crave the beach, others, the mountains.
Fly, drive or travel by other means – My brother-in-law will die before he will board an airplane. Good to know.
Lots of driving or Little-to-no driving – Depending on the location, sometimes we take our own car, sometimes we rent, sometimes we hire car services, and sometimes it’s Uber or Lyft. And did I mention that a smaller type RV is in our future?
The question of music – Yes, No and What Type? – In the car, sometimes our music tastes differ. He likes classical, I prefer contemporary. Our best compromise is mid-seventies rock, turned up loud, with both of us singing at the top of our lungs! Reliving our college romance!
Where to stay, and how much work that will involve – I’ve heard folks say, “If I have to cook and make my own bed, it’s not a vacation. Sometimes we choose hotels, sometimes Airbnb , or rental condos, sometimes high-end resorts.
“Sleep in” or “Up and at ’em” – There is nothing more annoying than having someone try to wake you up when you’re on vacation. Or conversely, there is nothing worse than tapping your toe waiting for someone to get up and ready.
Temperature and weather considerations – It’s amazing how many people responded to my McCall post with comments about how we could just keep our Idaho snow. But some of us know that the correct clothing and preparedness makes this a winter playground. Many would disagree.
Amount of down time – This is an important one. Some people like to go, go, go, while others need or want more frequent breaks, and packing the day full of activities is not so fun.
Airports – When is the “right” time to arrive? – Surprisingly, this can be a point of contention. While hubs wants to leave absolutely nothing to chance, I’m a bit more of a “what’s the worst thing that can happen?” kind of girl. Depending on where we’re going and the travel conditions, we negotiate our departure times.
Shopping or No shopping – My advice is to be sensitive. If your hubs is not a browser, please don’t torture him. It’s his vacation, too. As for us, we spend little money acquiring more “stuff,” so it’s not really an issue. We both like to nose in unique, non-touristy, craftsman type of shops. (We do look for a “not cheesy” Christmas ornament to represent each adventure.)
Different Interests during different trips – We took a trip to the midwest, with the primary purpose of visiting all things Frank Lloyd Wright – including Taliesin in Wisconsin, and the Robie House in Chicago. Our first visit to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, over ten years ago, was for all things automotive – The Barrett-Jackson car auction and Bondurant High Performance Driving School for hubs. Our trips to St. Louis and New Orleans were primarily in search of jazz and blues.
In each of the above instances, communication is the key! It is far better to discuss things before you go, rather than to discover them after you arrive, or, even worse, to brood in silence when you find situations which test your compatibility!
As we return to Scottsdale this time, we’re soaking up warmth and a vibrant art scene enmeshed in Southwest culture.
So how about it, fellow voyagers? What compromises in travel have you needed to make as you go wandering during retirement?
Lynn
Photo Credit: New York Times
An Encore Voyage 