Bonnie Scotland

 

Bonnie Scotland

June 2023

 

            Scotland has been mostly missing in our European travels. I had some stops in Scotland at the beginning of a Viking Ocean Cruise with brother Doug, wife Ann, & daughter Katie before continuing to Norway & the Arctic Circle. But Marjorie is eager to go there, and I’d like to see more. Interest prodded by recent TV highlighting Scotland: Outlander, a time-travel romantic adventure I got hooked on during the COVID pandemic; The Crown, which includes views of Balmoral Castle, Scottish home of the Royal Family; a “Wildheart” episode of Nature focusing on 500-year-old pines in the Highlands; The Traitors, a reality show promising “backstabbing and treachery” hosted by Alan Cumming in a Scottish castle; we stream the 3 seasons of very enjoyable Ted Lasso. So it seems the planets are aligned for a trip to Scotland.

Gate1, with whom we’ve had a number of happy trips, has a few options. Though it

does not include the Orkney Islands I enjoyed, Marjorie opts for the somewhat shorter “10 Day Classic Scotland,” which looks quite comprehensive enough. This continues a very busy travel year: Cruisin’ down the Mississippi in January, Florida in March,  Orient Express London to Verona coming in September.

A couple weeks before departure there’s an “Uh-Oh” moment threatening the trip: Marjorie tweaks her knee during early garden work. Ortho doc confirms a torn meniscus, but should heal in 6-8 weeks. A brace stabilizes the knee and things improve. Also helped by a cane that belonged to late friend Jerry, a reminder of enjoyable travels with Jerry & Diane. 

Marjorie asserts the garden is in good shape, planting complete. A stretch of summer weather, up to the 90s. We’ll plan for more spring-like weather in Scotland. Thankfully, packing this time doesn’t entail jumping thru COVID hoops. But one complication: a CBD tincture helpful for Marjorie’s joint pain and my restless leg (she says I “sleep like a baby,” not kicking her) has THC, not legal in the UK. We’ll take a similar product without THCWed., June 7: “Canadian Smoke”

Florida 2023

 

Florida

March 2023

       Never thought of us as “snowbirds.” No interest in living in Florida, seasonally or otherwise. But we seem to be developing something of a regular winter visit. It began with a drive down to join friend Kay in Sarasota in January 2014. We took the Queens family to Disney World for Thanksgiving that same year. A break in the action until last winter: a 2-part stay, 1^st with friends Deb & Chris in Sarasota and then joining with Mary & Jeff to stay with Susan & Jim in Naples. Very enjoyable, why not do a repeat? We do like the Sarasota area, plenty to see & do without being too hectic. And the Naples condo is nicely situated on a big pond, easy access to local sights & activities. This time we’ll head down in March when travel should be less affected by weather and more may be blooming in Florida.

      After a pretty quiet winter here we’ve had some recent snowfalls, still a couple of inches on the ground. Nothing like California: 10’ of snow, some people trapped at home for 2 weeks. Weather forecasts look good for Florida. Last September Hurricane Ian, the 3^rd-costliest weather disaster on record and deadliest hurricane to hit Florida since 1935, caused damage around Naples & especially nearby Fort Myers, even washing away a bridge to Sanibel Island, but Jim & Susan’s condo wasn’t damaged.

      In the midst of prepping for the trip a UPS package arrives from Mary & Jeff. Something new in giftgiving, many merged into one: Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Valentine's Day, Happy St. Patrick's Day, Happy Spring! For me an adorable mini–Red Cross van that reflects my blood delivery driving.

Catskills Valentine

 

Catskills Valentine

 February 2023

 

          What to do for Valentine’s Day? A perennial quandary. One unusual option: India's Hindu nationalist government has proclaimed February 14 "Cow Hug Day," countering a holiday they say “encourages female promiscuity and vulgar behavior." I prefer the tried-and-true option of a romantic getaway. But where? My Red Cross blood delivery driving offers an answer. The “Southwest” route takes me to Cobleskill, where I recently came across a group of locals (deer, that is) strolling thru a neighborhood below the hospital, then to Catskill villages Walton & Margaretville. Very scenic: farms, lakes & streams, covered bridges, mountain vistas, villages with pretty houses, churches, & shops. Going thru Downsville I spot the Old Schoolhouse Inn. Looks promising, but an internet check back home finds some negative reviews. Further on, Margaretville Mountain Inn seems a better choice, plus more eateries & interesting shops in the village. First efforts find only 3-night stays but changing dates and help from booking.com scores an overnight into Valentine’s Day itself. What could be better?

         I keep details a secret, only telling Marjorie to keep the 2 days clear and pack for overnight. Well, mostly a secret. We have lunch several days before with Becky, Exec Director of the Empire State Youth Orchestra (where young Matt began performing), at Jade Bistro in Scotia. 

Afterward, Becky gives me a tour of the new space for ESYO – a former school being remodeled & expanded to house the various ESYO ensembles with rehearsal & office space. Quite a project, aiming for Fall ’24 completion. I share my Valentine plans with Becky; she approves.

 

First let’s look at the lead-up to what Marjorie might call our “Valentine Festival” (like her “Birthday Festivals”). Tho I’m on the Board & Past President of Colonie Senior Service Centers, Inc., Marjorie seems more connected to CSSC. She joins neighbors Mary Ann & Paul to see PBS documentary “Searching for Timbuctoo” about a pre-Civil War Black settlement organized by abolitionists in the Adirondacks, hosted at CSSC by the filmmaker; ironically, a CSSC Board meeting prevents my joining them. 

Down the Mississippi

 

Down the Mississippi

December 2022-January 2023

            Sometimes trips evolve in quite unexpected ways. After a lovely trip to Maine in August I sent my usual writeup to family & friends. That led Santa Fe friend Diane to call Marjorie for a long chat that included news she and hubbie Jerry (with friends Bob & Donna) are going on a Viking Mississippi River cruise starting New Year’s Eve. We’ve done a bunch of Viking river cruises in Europe, but the Mississippi is a new itinerary for them. Enticing, but a look at the website showed the cruise sold out except one stateroom category, some price reductions would end the next day, and final payment due in 3 days! Spurred into action: a call to Viking to book with agent Donnie, then reviewing & reserving included & optional excursions, purchasing trip insurance. By moving so quickly we save about $2,000: trip discounts, getting our own insurance, using “E-check” to pay. So Marjorie’s not the only smart shopper! It seems odd to do a Viking trip domestically, but it’s nice to avoid passports, customs. money exchange, and language differences; well, some differences y’all.

          A potential hitch: drought in the Midwest, High Plains and South leads to very low water levels

in the Mississippi in October, including lowest ever in Memphis, where we start. A Baton Rouge resident hunting for artifacts finds submerged wreck of a 19^th C ship. New islands emerge and walkways to others. Our more selfish concern: we don’t want a river cruise to become a bus tour! There are signs that late-November storms in the Midwest & South causing flight delays & cancellations have also eased the Mississippi R drought. Agent Donnie assures us early in December that there is water to cruise. COVID has also been spiking. Viking requires vaccination, but so far not the daily testing on our Portugal cruise in April.

Of course, winter travel has other risks. A major “bomb cyclone” storm comes across the country into Christmas weekend. Buffalo hit with over 4’ of snow. Even the Deep South has subfreezing temps with burst pipes & power outages. Thankfully, we have quiet clear weather to drive to & from Queens for Christmas with the family. And forecasts look favorable for our travel schedule.

Midland MI

 

Midland

October 2022

            Haven’t seen Russ’ brother Doug & sister-in-law Ann in, well, way too long. Thought to drive with some other visits along the way, but too daunting. And we have lots of United miles accumulated during the pandemic. Reasonable connections, so flying won out.

 Tuesday, October 4: “Club Hopping”

            Our usual very early start, to Albany International Airport (sounds impressive!) at 4:30am for our 6:15 flight. Easy check-in and thru security, 1^st time with our TSA “Known Traveler Numbers.” Pretty sunrise at takeoff, early to O’Hare. 

Layover of 6+ hours! We have Lounge Passes thru our United credit cards to ease the stay. To the nearest Club, sign says “Not Accepting One-Time Passes.” Oh no! But Marjorie charms our way in. It is quite crowded, but clears out pretty quickly. We find comfortable chairs and partake of the breakfast buffet. A gate listed for our next flight looks to be a long walk to a different concourse (C to F) in a different terminal. We’re told there’s another Club Lounge near the F gate (nicer than this one, the agent says) and that it’s OK to “hop” to another. A 15-minute walk takes us underground (pretty lights) to F concourse, where it’s now time for the lunch buffet and watching planes take off.

Maine 2022

 

Quintessential Maine

August 2022

             We’re in need of some R&R, Marjorie especially has been overloaded dealing with “home improvement projects”: new water heater, porch & deck remodeling, painting garage walls and adding an epoxy floor, fencing in the back yard, dehumidifier issues. We’ve connected recently with friends Robert & Kim when they pass thru to & from Eastman School of Music, where their son Alex is studying. They invited us to visit them in Maine. Had a wonderful visit in 2011, We’re delighted to accept the offer to return.

Portugal River Cruise + Spain

 

Portugal’s River of Gold

Spring 2022

      

           

Viking River Cruises are a favorite travel option: Marjorie & I have cruised together 5 times, plus another for each of us with a sibling. Susan, M’s cousin Jim’s wife, called with an itch to do Viking’s “Portugal’s River of Gold.” We enjoyed traveling with Susan & Jim in Andalucia Spain (2015), so our interest was piqued. Been to Lisbon and nearby areas (2005), but other parts of this trip looked plenty interesting.  Everything set for early August 2020 until the COVID-19 pandemic. We already had a tour cancelled in May; ironically, highlighted by the Oberammergau, Germany, Passion Play begun some 400 years ago as a promise to God if the village was spared from the plague. We rescheduled for July 2021, but COVID causes another cancelation. Both times Viking gives a voucher for re-booking worth 125% of what we’d paid, a nice bucket of cash to pay for some extras. Another rebooking for April 2022. The pandemic ebbs & flows, but protocols put in place by Viking lend some confidence: required vaccination documented by Verifly Vaccine Certification phone app, predeparture health survey, negative COVID test within 72 hours of 1^st flight, frequent on-ship testing. In addition Portugal requires a Passenger Locator Card before arrival. International travel is so complicated now! But by now Viking has done over 2 million tests for over 100,000 guests & crew; they conclude: “We believe there are few places one can go that are as safe as a Viking ship, where every person is fully vaccinated and is tested up to daily.” So it looks like this is actually going to happen!