Pre-Planning: Why We Chose a River Cruise
Bob and I went on a whirlwind trip through Scotland and Ireland as a bucket list, retirement gift to ourselves in 2015. See that blog here:
https://bjtravels2015.blogspot.com/
It was our first trip out of the country, except Canada, and since we live so close to that border, we don't count that. We loved the trip, however, we didn't like the pace nor the packing almost every day to get up and go. We saw a lot of both countries and did extra things that we never would have done on our own. Plus, we didn't have to drive on the wrong side of the road! People on the tour with us, 41 of our "closest" friends, suggested we would like a river cruise because the pace is slower and the unpacking is usually just once, of course, depending on the water levels.
In September of 2017 we went to Yellowstone National Park, another bucket list trip. No blog for that adventure, but it was a wonderful trip in spite of getting literally snowed out of the park! We have wonderful memories in spite of standing around freezing in our sneakers (who needs boots in September?) while waiting for a wolf to appear, or for the grizzly to come back to snack on the elk carcass. Yes, there was snow, it was cold, the roads got nasty as we traveled south to leave the park and were closing behind us as we drove. We didn't see a lot in the Tetons due to the snow, nor did we take side roads where moose were supposed to appear. But, we have great memories of sharing this experience - together.
Our 40th Anniversary was in 2018. We wanted to plan a great trip to celebrate, but a lot of life events got in the way of that. Instead, we were going to do a short trip to Prince Edward Island, but that didn't happen. In early January of 2018, we started a home remodel plan, much needed since there had been no updates since we moved in thirty years earlier. It wasn't completed until May.
During the process, we had to move out to a rental. Then I got word that my sister was very ill and had to quickly leave for Syracuse. She passed away a couple days after I got there.
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| Joy Stevens, 1938-2018 |
At the same time, my other sister had to move out of a home she had been renting for many years and I helped her kids move her to a senior complex. We were into June before we could even think about making any plans for our August 40th anniversary. Prince Edward Island seemed like an easy trip. Then I got the jury notice. That dragged on well into September. Too late to make travel plans with a new granddaughter expected in October! And, because our daughter lives out west that involved travel as well.
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| Happy Grandma! #2 |
December rolled around and my husband's sister died suddenly. These two sibling deaths were stark reminders that we are now part of the elder generation in our families and that we don't have all that many years left to travel.
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| Betty Finnegan 1944-2018 |
Well into our 41st year of happily-ever-after, we decided it was time to celebrate our 40th. We started planning a river cruise. Bob took the initiative, investigated different itineraries and chose a European river cruise on the Rhine. We visited our travel agent, looked at options and chose a trip with
Viking, in spite of her nudging us toward
AMAWaterways. Never again will I trust saving money over the advice of a professional. You will learn why as you read our "adventure."
