Travel is . . .

. . .In the blood

This week my sons - three of them - were in Kansas City, Washington, DC an Las Vegas respectively. The first two cities were business trips, Las Vegas? Not so much. They inherited the traveling gene from me. None of us ever really complain about travel. Even in this time and place.

I leave early in the morning for a short trip to Indianapolis to plan for a convention to take place their next year.

I realized today that after three or four months of practically back-to-back trips, I'd been home for a month. It was a month ago that I walked off Allure of the Seas with my son, daughter-in-law and three grandkids. It was a great trip, a wonderful cruise on a wonderful ship. (And I did need a rest when I came home.)

But I guess that old Dalmatian fire dog and I respond similarly. I know the next few days will be full (and probably very hot) but I am looking forward to going to Indy, to making plans for the meeting and even the joy of flying!

I've another short trip planned for later August and a third in September and am weighing a couple of other options. It is addictive, I know. I watch as friends agonize over packing and am fairly casual about the process myself.

I know the day will come when it will not be fun, but until then, Indy here I come.

Travel is . . .

. . .maybe another time

Two of my sons are meeting in Las Vegas next week. This morning my physical therapist told me she's heading to the Nevada city in a couple of weeks and one of her colleagues will be there at the same time. My CPA is flying out in a day or two and I woman I met at the beauty parlor leaves for her first trip to Vegas in a month.

Yep. Las Vegas remains a popular travel destination. Rates are good, promotional rates even better and the entertainment is still top drawer.

I love Las Vegas and was scheduled to fly there with my son last month. We had to cancel the trip, but I am sure, before the year is out, I too will journey back to Las Vegas.

I've been going there for about 40 years. I've played blackjack in a dozen casinos seen all the show biz greats: I've been embarassed sitting in the first row at a Don Rickles show; been enamored by Frank Sinatra and the "rat pack," (years later by an aging Tom Jones,) seen Paul Anka and Ann Margret, Redd Foxx, Mort Sahl and Buddy Hackett, Leno, Seinfeld, lots of Cirque shows - the Beatles "Love" twice - and had many enjoyable first class meals.

Years ago Las Vegas marketed itself as family-friendly. It's not. It is an adult Disney World. Topless pools, sexually charged shows and pricey restaurants are for adults. Chicken fingers and kids' cups are family-friendly.

I am delighted, that after a few years of terrible tourism people are rediscovering Las Vegas.

Travel is . . .

. . .a kind of history

I found out on Monday that two friends were planning to attend the firt 3D ballet at a local theater Tuesday night. These are two women who are long-time friends, our kids grew up together, we have shared many rites of passage and many good times and bad. I felt very comfortable inviting myself along.

I had been to the movies on Sunday and fleetingly saw a promotion for the ballet but didn't note the name of the ballet or of the company. Then I heard lt was the Mariinsky company of St. Petersburg - renamed Kirov during USSR days.

I had shlepped my husband to the Mariinsky when our ship spent two days in St. Petersburg. I nagged him into a jacket and although it was in the high 80s and very humid in the beautiful Russian city, he wore one.

This was during a very hot summer, probably about 1993 or 1994, and the theater, while still beautiful had not been maintained well under earlier governments. Many seats were broken, the upholstery torn and it had the aura of being sadly in need of a major rehab. And, of course, did not have air conditioning! My husband's dismay resulted ln his removing the jacket and placing it next to him on a (broken) seat - as did 99 percent of the men in the audience.

But when the lights went down and the curtains opened, all thought of heat, folded sports jackets, former governing styles and everything else disappeared. The dancers were amazing, their skills outstanding and although I truly cannot remember the name of the ballet we saw, it was a riveting experience. One I won't forget.

It all came rushing back when I saw the newest generation of Mariinsky dancers dance the haunting GISELLE. (The ballet was filmed in 2010.)

They are true artists, the large corps de ballet is fantastic and the lead dancers take your breath away.

It's just another reason I love travel -- and long-time friends!

Travel is . . .

. . . Seeing what other people choose to do

I know it is the height of the summer vacation season and among my friends and acquaintances cruising remains a popular choice.

One friend recently returned to Florida from a New York visit complete with Broadway shows and topped by a five-day cruise to Canada on Carnival Glory. Another friend is making the exact same plans for Labor Day weekend.

Some are planning more elaborate cruises, flying to Rome and discovering the Eastern Med, while still others are heading to Spain and Portugal. One friend is on a hiking tour of Northern Spain as I write this.

Many locals head to the hills of North Carolina for all or most of the summer and quite a few opt for across-state visits to West Coast Florida beach vacations.

And since South Florida is the gateway to the Caribbean, others choose beach-y vacations. Right now the Dominican Republic is popular.

Me? I'm home for a while, I have a couple of short trips lined up for later this month and then New York in August, but I have a cruise planned for November and that remains my favorite form of travel.

Bon voyage.

Isn't it wonderful that there is such variety!