I think we need a more upbeat Open Forum. I am kind of surprised that it was mostly tame. At least until our resident contrarian Beets Why showed up. I don’t think there is a single subject that we discuss that she doesn’t defend the minority opinion. It’s kind of her thing.
So I was wondering if anyone is planning on traveling this summer. Personally, I am not up for travel just yet. I have some health issues I need to get under control. Solo travel isn’t for the weak. I would take a road trip to Isle of Palms or somewhere but the A/C on the car has been broken since last summer and I’ve never gotten around to getting it fixed. So, I probably won’t even do that.
So regale me with your plans for the summer. Or lack thereof. If you have no plans come sit next to me. We can nap and sleep weird schedules and watch too much TV. It’s almost my bedtime. Sigh. Yep up all night again. At least it is Saturday.
Heading to Rockland, Maine for a blues festival mid-July. Just a quick 4-5 day trip. No other travel plans.
am a blues singer songwriter that will be playing festivals across Canada all summer with a little quick trip to Ireland in between. I am super nervous to travel this much but this is the time of year where I make my money so off I go. Wish me luck:)
I’m planning to go to Geneva, Switzerland for a 3 night break with my son next month, its pretty pricey out there, so we’re keeping it short and sweet. My little brother Justin lives there and so it’s our second trip, first was in 2019, to see him.
Once we’re back I’ll be saving the pennies so will be there with you TT on TV watching duty, and hearing all about everyone else’s summer holidays 🌞
How exciting. It’s nice to be able to travel again and I read that Covid testing has been dropped, makes international travel so much easier and less stressful.
I may have a plan….
We’re doing our first family trip to Disney. Disney’s prices, policies, and crowds have changed a lot since I was a kid, but it still feels magical to me and represents something special to me.
We’re driving straight through the night hoping our toddlers will sleep the whole way on a 16 hour trip. It could be a nightmare road trip, but flying with toddlers was also a nightmare for us lol! Memories!!
My sister and I once took a road trip from ATL to ORD and it is a miracle we both arrived alive. Seriously. This is not an exaggeration.
Heading back to my birthplace, Southern California, more specifically Carlsbad.
I lived there till I was 63, when in 2019 I fell down a flight of concrete stairs outside my apartment building and broke my neck.
I’ve been living with or near my daughter’s family in Colorado, and now Nashville ever since.
I’m so ready to get back! All my friends live there.
I have 2 months off from my job at the pre-school, so I’ll be house-sitting for my cousin while she’s in Europe for 5 weeks. It’s a big, quiet, beautiful place on the beach. I’m counting down the days.
I need this vacay more than you can imagine.
Have a great one everybody!
I like reading about y’all’s plans, and as always TT, thanks for keeping this site going for us!
Have a great time in Carlsbad. I was there in 1972. We saw the grunion. I thought people were joking and it was like a snipe hunt. But it was real — and amazing.
Now … I have to go find what Beets said in the last forum. I always look forward to her comments — opposite views from me — but that keeps things interesting. Food for thought, and all.
Ha ha, Nanette! The grunion runs are legendary!
Love it down there! My son lives in Vista these days.
A week on Hilton Head Island, a week in Boone, NC and a week in Asheville, NC. Summers are very busy in our household. Our grandson is on a swim team and the only day off is Sunday. We also signed him up for a reading program that he’s excited about. He wanted to try a new sport so we signed him up for one week of basketball camp.
My husband and I are headed to Switzerland in 2 weeks, then Boston in August. I’m so happy the US dropped the testing requirements to enter the US because it was a real pain in the arse when we went to Greece and the French Riviera last summer.
Going to Aruba for 5 days during the week of Labor Day. My money’s tight, I’m in grad school, so that will be my only trip but I can’t wait!
Maybe fish, save gas. Might masturbate a few times ✌
Prior to Covid, we were taking several trips and one of them would be Carnival Week in Provincetown, MA. Now it’s just one trip, two weeks in PTOWN in September when things are cheaper and less crowded. There was no parade in 2020 or 2021, but judging by the crowds during Ride Week, there will be one this year. As we still avoid crowds and mask indoors everywhere public, we’ll stick to September.
Thank you. Sometimes I feel like my husband & I are the only ones masking and avoiding crowds. Still trying to keep the world safe for everyone, even though they don’t seem to care.
Covid is still a thing and PTown and other places in the NE just had an outbreak. I’m just fine being a hermit and wearing a mask to go buy groceries.
You and me both! We’ve had high numbers over the last few months, as well. Stay safe 💙
Same! Still wearing mask but it seems I’m the only one. In Tahoe yesterday at grocery store and NOBODY had a mask on. NOBODY but me. I have to wonder… do they not get it or do they just not care???
I truly think they believe that if they’ve had some Covid shots they won’t get original Covid or any of the variants.
It’s because people are bored and spoiled and can’t handle being told what they can and cannot do.
I heeded your warning on the previous post and skipped it. Maybe Beets Why did the same.
I just got back from a trip to Toledo OH for a visit with my son, daughter in law and youngest grandson; they’re expecting another boy end of July. Weather was perfect and I missed if as soon as I got back to Houston.
Have a trip planned to an all inclusive resort in Jamaica in August, praying for no hurricanes! This was postponed for 2 years due to COVID so we are looking forward to it.
Went to Antigua in January, Tybee Island in May, and just got back from Austin, TX. May take a cruise in the fall. Summer is my busy time at work so I travel early/late in the year.
I’m taking my mother to Savannah for a long weekend at the end of the month. It will be my first time in Savannah and we intend to do the touristy things! I’m taking my three granddaughters to Pennsylvania and DC in July-road trip with 11 and 12 year olds-to visit family and see monuments/museums. Then the return of the annual family vacation (adult kids and spouses/SO’s) to Costa Rica in August. It’s great to have normal things planned again!
My vacation is dog sitting at my sister’s house while they go on vacation. They have a huge house with a beautiful kitchen which is good enough for me.
I haven’t taken a vacation since three days in 2011.
We went to Magic Mountain.
My boobs almost beat me to death on the first ride!
Omgosh…I just snorted laughing at the image of your boobs beating you. Thanks for the good laugh.
Money is tight but my daughter loves history and I want to take her to some historical places.
Since childhood, I have wanted to visit all of the California Missions — North to South.
Maybe next year.
My daughter and I will join you.
Week long trip to Memphis at the end of the month (yummy BBQ & good music). Heading to Israel in September (if all remains right in the world).
I have the summer off from work! My husband is no longer working so we are going to spend more quality time together. I am going to rest my knees more, which hurt working with the toddlers. We are going to Topsail Island like we usually do for a week, then Cape Cod for a few times, to spend time with family, then maybe some other trips. We will be broke but happy.
Topsail is practically next door to us. Be cautious of the riptides–know how to spot them from the beach. If you see a white 4-door Wrangler Islander with rubber ducks on the dash in the parking lot of the grocery store, that’s probably me. Enjoy!
At N. Topsail Island now. The beautiful full moon has made for tide warnings. Take them seriously folks. I am with my Mom, Sister and her daughter (my mini-me). I fly back tomorrow. Love family but can only do short trips. I plan a long weekend with bestie since 8th grade (we might have been besties for 40 years- we won’t confirm nor deny, LOL).
Whatever your plans, be well and take a mental break!
I taking my teenage son to LA and Anaheim, to visit Hollywood, Universal Studios, and Disneyland and as a bonus to check out some schools, my son is a rising senior. I owe him a vacation plus because we have not gone anywhere decent since he was 11!!
We just got back from London, Paris, Mykonos, and Santorini on an amazing trip! Wedding was In Mykonos where the bride’s mother and stepfather live. I’ve never experienced such extravagance. The guests were from all over the world. When a Greek invites you to a Greek wedding in Greece, you go.
Headed to Sarasota Sunday and back Wednesday. Headed out next Sunday to Asheville and back Wednesday.
Headed back to Bimini on our friends boat in July for the first time since covid.
We did though travel all through covid.
Wow, Jo Jo! You get around! Sounds fabulous!!
Weren’t there supposed to pictures coming? 😉
Bimini is my favorite place ever. The people are so nice there. The beaches are the best. When we were there 3 years ago, there was a lot of construction going on. I hope the wonderful island isn’t getting too crowded.
Let me know how it is now please.
So before the pandemic, I went on holiday to Quebec city. I have a chronic pain condition and hadn’t taken a holiday for a long while. I was a bit worried about traveling and if I became unwell. But, I decided to go for it.
Something amazing happened. I got to the airport and sailed through security. I then found a lovely cafe and had an amazing meal. And then I found my gate was the very first one! No long walk with luggage. I never had the first gate, I had always had the last gate.
The flight was fine and then made it to the hotel. It was beautiful. It had been a convent and had been converted to a serene hotel. They gave me a room on the top floor at the end. It felt that I had the floor to myself and it was quiet and soothing.
That week, I encountered so many friendly charming people and enjoyed wandering different neighborhoods. My pain lifted. It was if I was given a magical week to enjoy, rest and heal.
The funny thing is on my last day, my old life returned. I was woken at 5am with rumbling semi trucks making deliveries under my hotel room. Traveling home was a bear. The old difficulties returned. But I look back on the week in Quebec with gratitude and fondness.
The only downside is that I’ve tried planning a new trip but that last trip was perfect. So I don’t know how I could top it. I’ve been in a holding pattern and haven’t found the next place to visit.
Aine, that does sound like a magical week!
I know what you mean. In 2019 I went to Australia with a friend for 2 weeks and it was so perfect I’ve been afraid to travel since. (Not that I’ve had the opportunity).
Memories are wonderful too, though!
I skipped the previous post due go the warning, maybe Beets Why did the same.
Just got back from Toledo, Ohio to visit my son, daughter in law and grandson, they’re having another boy end of July. The weather was perfect and I missed it as soon as we landed back in Houston.
We’re going go Jamaica to an all inclusive resort in August, we postponed the trip due to COVID, so we are looking forward go n it. Hoping for no hurricanes!
Too many old lady health issues for me to travel, especially with Covid on the upswing.
So it will be just me and the tv this summer
👵🏻🦯📺
I look as it already a vacation not having to get up at the crack of dawn to go work for too big of assholes for too little money.
While chained to the desk, shoving your lunch in your face as you work because they’re too cheap to hire enough people!
Amen, Nanette👏
And not even peeing all day because they want to see you at the desk.
I live in a beach vacation area in NJ, so I’ll try to get to the beach during the week if possible. I’m seeing my orthopedic surgeon on Wednesday to hopefully schedule my first of two knee replacements. I’ll be content to sit on my porch and watch the birds if this pain is relieved. My younger daughter can work from home so she’ll come stay with me for a bit and help me if needed. I should be all better long before “locals summer” in September, which is my favorite time of the year down here.
I used to live at Tahoe and September was my favorite month too.
Cindy, aka The Fiancé, has had both knees replaced and it is so much better. Just do what they say for post-op, no more, no less. We know people who did both and those who followed to a T, and the too much, too little were not as good afterward.
Isn’t September the best when you live near the beach? The closest beach to me actually keeps the beaches guarded until the end of September! It’s 8 miles front door to my ass in the sand, lol. I’m hoping I’ll have had at least the first knee done and will be able to walk on the ocean side of the beach by September! It’s good to have goals. 🙂
I’m glad to hear Cindy is doing well. So far I’ve heard mostly good things about the surgery.
Hi, Beach, I also live at the beach in NJ. I try to leave and go to other places on the weekends in the summer. I’m sorry, but the bennies or getting ruder, louder, more entitled and self centered as each summer goes by. I don’t have patience for them anymore. No respect for the environment, littering everywhere. Love it September til April though. Thinking of moving inland if I can find my ideal place, halfway between my son’s family and my daughters so I wouldn’t have to drive so far to visit the grandkids.
We did Tybee a few weeks ago and leave for San Antonio in 18 days and I have another surgery scheduled 7/20. I’m just over here popping Xanax, working, gardening, ubering kids and trying to keep it together.
Love all these plans!
August we’ll take a quick trip to Northern WI. Got a house on a lake and meeting my family out there. That’ll be fun.
Then, late Sept is a Mediterranean cruise that comes and goes from Barcelona. Extra week on the back end in/around Spain or maybe France or maybe ??? 😁
Maybe you’ll see some BD alumni out getting drunk!
I don’t really have plans till Aug (Psychedelic Furs and X are playing at a whiney here in norcal), Sept (couple other shows). This weekend I plan on catching up on my MAFS AUS and the new show Jeff Lewis has out. It’s gonna be hot so not in the mood to be outdoors.
Charles Krug winery?
I used to go to shows at Mountain Winery and Montalvo when I lived in San Jose. Back when I was moderately poor instead of solid poor. The only shows so far this year that I want to see is Neko Case. But I don’t want to pay $100 to be in a huge crowd after seeing her — and lots of other performers — in small clubs. I am officially the old lady I never thought I would be!
Yep at the Krug. And trust me I was that old lady wanting seating back in my 20s and small venues! I have a herniated disk, I hate standing for too long, but I love a good live show.
No special vacation plans until October. I will be working in the yard as much as possible between the usual work days until then. My dad is celebrating his 90th birthday in October, so my son, daughter-in-law, grand kids and I are all flying down to Florida to celebrate. It’s the first time all of us and my brother and his family will be together, so we will get some family photos taken while we’re there. It’s also the first time I am vacationing with my son and family. We will do family stuff and also hit up Disney World, My dad is so cute. When I talk to him now, he’s so excited about us coming and counting down the time until we get there.
With work and not having any real backup, I rarely take more than 2 days off in a row, so I’m really looking forward to this.
In January 2022 when we were knee-deep in Omicron, I planned a short Spring escape for second last week in May to Montreal – 3 days 2 nights. That way I had something to look forward to for Spring. It was a great change of scenery and a good way to reset my brain.
What did you do in Montreal? I need a short trip.
i walked around the Old City, did cafes, and got a spa massage the morning i left!
No travel plans but possibly lots of adventure! We got licensed to be foster parents so all plans are on hold while we wait for a placement! Possibly less reality tv and more cartoons 🙂
That’s amazing! Congrats- very happy for you and your adventures!
OMG! I LOVE YOU! I HOPE YOU GIVE US STORIES (details redacted of course) .
No trips planned, other than visiting some family maybe. Got 2 sisters left, told them to hang in there, dammit. They both live in or near FL. Hot as hell but ass in sand is a good thing, as mentioned above. Toying around with idea of going to Scotland early next spring with the oldest and her son/daughter in law. Who knew he’d make a living out of his hobby? Lucky young man. Proud of him.
Some cool stuff lined up here! Nice to hear..
I don’t have plans for any big vacations, but I try to find ways to make days at home special. I’m an old white lady, but I learned early in life that food and music serve to unite us. Inspired by a new cookbook, I think I am going to have a little weeklong Juneteenth and read up and watch TV and learn more things about our Black neighbors.
With Juneteenth around the corner, the NYT food section ran a recipe from a new cookbook, “Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations,” by Nicole Taylor. The NYT featured Peach & Molasses Chicken sounds like quintessential summer.
Taylor was inspired to create the cookbook by the BLM movement following George Floyd’s killing. She combines history/storytelling and traditional recipes to create modern takes on Black food staples. I can’t wait to try some of her new recipes.
Just got back from Phoenix and saw Tears for Fears (with my feet dragging! They actually put on a great show! Going to go white water rafting in Montana later this month and then staying at Isle of Palms and Kiawah Island SC for a family reunion. Get to see a ton of cousins I haven’t seen in 40 years! Retirement is awesome.
OMG Can I come to IOP with you? We can make them wonder who I am related to! Where are we staying? Wild Dunes or a Big Beach house? Either way I AM IN! I can skip Kiawah.
I am teaching Summer School this month. I don’t have any away plans but several celebrations. My 25th high school reunion is on July 30th. Plus my family will be celebrating my grandfather’s 100th birthday and my mom’s 75th birthday in August.
Bless your heart. I always avoided summer school at all costs,
I’m catching up on 90 Day Fiancé. There’s a scene with the guy with the Fiancé from Trinidad and Tobago where he’s showing her how to do the cutlery in the drawer. Having seen him nit pick her since she arrived, this felt like a scene from Sleeping With The Enemy.
I had a mini-vacation planned around my work trip to Boston, but I had to cancel…i got COVID 3 weeks ago and the timing of the trip would mean if I got COVID again I’d be sick a critical week at work so I can’t risk it. I was so looking forward to my first ever friends road trip from NJ to Boston. I had a conference to attend and my best friend has to drop her daughter off at Boston Univ for a 3 week summer program. Now I have to stay home. I just lost my Mom Dec 23rd so this is the first summer I have had no kids to raise and no parent to care for in 33 years…I honestly don’t know how to live without having someone I have to care for 24 hours a day. I want to do day trips to the NJ Shore but that may be pushed till next summer with COVID. I just honestly can’t risk it with Lupus. I work for a company of 4 fulltime employees and 1 boss and we manage hundreds of school districts databases across the globe. I think I’ll spend the summer finishing up cleaning Mom’s house out and selling/donating her belongings then spend fall winter and spring saving up for a trip in 2023.
No summer travel plans, too many medical/dental appts. However, am debating a Sept. trip to Co. California for my final high school reunion/class 80th b’day party. The reunion (60th) was supposed to be 2 years ago, but was postponed for pandemic. I’d like to visit some great friends & have an offer to stay from BFF. His brother was in my class & is coming to the reunion. BFF was a class ahead, but usually attends my reunion. Reluctant to subject myself to RT cross-country flights. I’ve flown all over the world, but it sounds like this is not a good time to fly. One of my granddaughters missed her niece’s wedding in March because her family’s flight was delayed 4 hours, then cancelled. Had enough miles for a free flight, but now the airlines have raised the miles prices to ridiculous amounts, so likely will have to pay $$$ for ticket. Also concerned leaving Fly Boy, who is still having problems getting around with the foot he broke in 3 places last year. Will have to decide soon, but if my college roommate (we were classmates in HS, too) decides to attend, I will definitely make the trip. I used to go back to visit friends at least once a year, but now travel is so difficult, not the adventure it was in the past.
Just got home from a week at the beach in Galveston — too much sun, too much booze, too many calories, too much fun!
May go to Florida at some point to visit my dad. . .depends on cost of flights.
Will be happy to stay home and do lots of nothing this year.
Long time lurker occasional writer but that headline made me happy. I am on an amazing transforming vacation. I went to NYC on 2/12/2020 to check on my my 92 yr old mom and got stuck there for the whole pandemic!!!! A grown ass woman (64) staying ack at my mommas house in my old bedroom 😒 in Domo He’ll which is Washington Heights in Manhattan. I got so depressed I thought I was going to lose it..
Knowing that there were other humans surviving gave me strength to believe I could survive and now I’m thriving. So if you think for one second you won’t survive whatever it is you are going through give it another couple seconds and find your tribe. PEACE AND LOVE TATTLES
Just got back yesterday from a surprise party for my brother, the youngest of 7 turned 60!!! He was completely surprised, it was So much fun! This is my third trip, (Key Largo in late March, SC in April) so I have no plans whatsoever. I realized how lonely I am after seeing all my sisters and brothers happily married so I may try and find me a man. Or not. I am going to drag queen bingo Saturday night with my friends Saturday, that is always a good time!
Forgot to tell my trip, graduations and family in Atlanta, rented a nice car for a month and hitting the beaches. First stop Orlando to visit old friend and reconnect. We did some tourist stuff then went to Ormond Beach for a delicious beach day. Then a week on the gulf at st Pete my old home and it was a different beach ending with amazing beach circle. Off the the Charleston beaches for some love. I AM SO HAPPY
Dear Tamara et al
Spare a thought for a Scot imprisoned in “Great Britain”. I cannot even drive – I have been trying to renew my driver’s license for15 months, “it appears the documents may be lost”. They might have been on strike, sorry plebs.
I now need to apply for a passport renewal – oh yes the documents are stuck in DVLA – English bureaucracy. Going nowhere.
There were happy days before this dystopia – I have had many fab summers in the US: Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts etc. but also California; LA, but not SanFran – that absolutely was the worst.
Against all odds maybe my favourite spot in US is Houston, the all enveloping warmth and Port Aransas and Mustang just a short drive away- I adored it – Fabulous memories.
Happy traveling whilst the Great Reset gang permit it. Love xx