Recently I have been spending time considering possible warm weather destinations for a mid-February hiatus. Here in the northern climes the specter of another harsh Winter leaves us daydreaming of a Winter getaway.
Such getaways are not necessarily limited to the warm weather variety, however, since we also happen to be flat landers here where I live. Mountain ski trips, therefore, can offer a viable option. In the past I have skied in Colorado, Lake Tahoe, California, and Canada, as well as frigid northern Michigan by the shores of Lake Superior. However, all things being equal, these days I prefer warmth. But for the pandemic I might already have plans in place for an extended visit to a Central or South American destination, or maybe Portugal.
Lee and I for years were looking forward to such a retirement, our only disagreement, if you even could call it a disagreement, being that I could envision myself relocating to an exotic destination, whereas this was unthinkable to Lee, who could not imagine being more or less permanently separated from her family. Yet, we strongly agreed the fact that we had the luxury of spending 2-3 months abroad, if we desired, to be a good thing. My work schedule was more flexible than hers, and when Lee at last retired from her job the pieces finally seemed to be in place for us. But then she got sick, and we never got to fulfill the daydream together. Fortunately, we shared many other good things, so this is not a serious regret.
Nevertheless, I remain anxious for new adventures, including extended travel. Plus, I have always enjoyed planning trips, although, between Lee’s illness and the pandemic, today I am seriously out of practice.
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I have a special event to attend on the West Coast during mid-February. Although I have been invited to bring a guest, I am likelier to travel there with my pal and long-time business partner, Eric, who also is invited, than with Robyn. There are several reasons. For one, Eric’s wife (and my friend), Julie, seems happy not to attend, whereas for Eric, as for me, opting out would constitute a serious slight to the hosts, who are very old and dear friends.
Now, since I will be out West anyway, I currently am seriously considering continuing westward all the way to Hawaii, a place which I have never visited. And because Hawaii is popular, and there are many research tools available, I feel a bit late to the task, though it is only early October.
The best part is that Robyn appears willing to meet me out on the coast and we can travel together from there to Hawaii. (She has family she would visit in southern California while Eric and I attend our event.) As for Hawaii, Robyn tells me she stopped there once while on a sea cruise, but, of course, disembarking from a cruise ship for a day trip is qualitatively different from the freedom of the open road. I think by nature I am a road traveler, not a cruiser. This does not mean I would never take a cruise, only that it would have to be the right kind.
It is still a bit too early in our relationship for me know Robyn’s preferences when it comes to these types of things. My strong suspicion, however, is that she is a bit fancier overall than I am. Admittedly, my hunch in this regard, which is predicated upon the fact that she enjoys looking attractive wherever she goes, and the fact that she has a strong aversion to insects, might be based on incomplete evidence. Indeed, my suspicion could be unwarranted or even unfair. Yet, suffice to say, I cannot imagine us ever going on a camping trip together, which is my idea of a good time. Then, if I am completely honest about things, from time to time I also enjoy acting the swell, so I think I do have some appreciation of Robyn’s sensibilities. What I also know is that these days I sure enjoy her company no matter what we are up to. I expect this will be the case whether we end up together in Hawaii or elect to visit some other place.
Regardless, I will be sure to send a postcard!
