|
This last Friday, I decided (based on a social media post) to travel over 5 hours north of where I live for a weekend trip with the family. From first thought of I should do this till we were on the road was a little over 2 hours. Several of my co-workers think I'm crazy and said they could never do something so spontaneous. I've done stuff like this in the past and it amazes me how inflexible people can be. Of interest, it seems that singles and couples without kids (people who should be most flexible) are most likely to find it crazy.
Does anybody else find this to be true?
Hogan
|
|
|
|
|
Well it's all very well if you've got motive, means, and opportunity but those of us who've been on the earth long enough to realise that everywhere you go is pretty much the same (and worse, wherever it is, you will be there), lack funds, and/or have dependents such as dogs for which arranging transport and accommodation is not always easy ....
I am not a number. I am a ... no, wait!
|
|
|
|
|
So you're saying you're not very flexible. Got it.
Hogan
|
|
|
|
|
9082365 wrote: verywhere you go is pretty much the same
Amen! I hate traveling. It's a stupid waste of time.
|
|
|
|
|
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. Marcel Proust
|
|
|
|
|
I have traveled many places in US and Europe and find many differences in people, cuisine, music, culture, history, etc. It has added immensely to my world view. I suppose on some level it IS all the same, common problems, we're all made of atoms, etc, but I enjoy the variety and how it adds spice to my life.
|
|
|
|
|
We have surprised my mother-in-law (14 to 16 hour drive) in the past. If we decide we're going, we pack our vehicle, get about 4 or 5 hours sleep, and head out in the middle of the night.
|
|
|
|
|
Tim Carmichael wrote: We pack our vehicle, get about 4 or 5 hours sleep, and head out in the middle of the night.
Strangely enough, so do we in my house, but that would be when the mother-in-law has decided to come visit US! 
Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
Anonymous
-
The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
Winston Churchill, 1944
-
I'd just like a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
Me, all the time
|
|
|
|
|
It's probably part of your personality and you should always be yourself. I am the opposite: single, no kids, and very structured.
I have to plan everything out. I typically plan clothes for the week, food, naps, job/work to be done, finances, workout, ect... It works for me and hate when I can't keep to somewhat of a schedule.
I will say I am not scared to do the Joel from Risky Business saying from time to time; such as my 2 week May trip, but it is already planned and budgeted out!
|
|
|
|
|
Both types are a kind of Quality, and both are good I think. Having different types, makes the community more colorful. 
modified 19-Jan-21 21:04pm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The chaotic way my planning goes, I wouldn't have any time left to do anything I've already planned to do.
|
|
|
|
|
When our daughter was small, we went to Disney so many times (Season Pass holders, and 198 mile drive),
that she would roll her eyes and say "Not Disney AGAIN!"... We stopped getting Season Passes after that, and now as a teenager she says "Why would you listen to a CLEARLY STUPID 6 year old???" LOL.
It depends. We have a Dog now.
But I was always up for that stuff. Leave work early drive to the keys with some friends. Did not do that stuff EVERY week, but when things came up, loved to jump on it.
Now, I am old. Tired. Like sleeping in my own bed. Hate planes and traveling. I have about 8 states in this country I have not been through. Been to Europe (many countries), Russia, Norway, Australia, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Jamaica, Canada, and Mexico.
There are only a few places left on my list. But as others have said. No matter where you go, there you are!
Nowadays, I am almost happy with Ordering food for a specific country, and eating it while watching YouTube videos  )))
|
|
|
|
|
We've done stuff like that. My kids are older so they are mostly easier (we can leave them at home for the weekend and they won't die).
Last year the wife and I set out at the beginning of June with no real destination in mind. We drove north from Atlanta, GA and at first thought we would go to the Smoky Mountains on the Tennessee side but as we got closer decided "nah" and chose to go to Washington DC via an interstate road that took us up the entire northwest border of Virginia.
Right before Christmas, the 23rd I think, we decided that we would go to the beach and found a Condo for several days at New Smyrna Beach. We were able to take the youngest, 15 on that trip.
You're not crazy.
|
|
|
|
|
Phew,
For a second there, I thought that was ONE Trip!
Left the kids in June, and on Christmas, still deciding where to go next...
|
|
|
|
|
I can see the confusion, the Mrs. probably would have liked that trip.
Glad to see you weren't confused about
"the youngest, 15 on that trip." considering I left out the second comma. I only have 3 kids not 16+.
"the youngest, 15, on that trip."
|
|
|
|
|
I always go with the flow.
The caveat is that, unlike in the ever so distant past, the flow isn't rainwater cascading down a mountain side but simply from one drain pipe to another.
That's just how life works. When it works at all.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
I once went to Bullhead City Arizona on a whim. 2 days drive there, 1 day visit, and 2 days back. So no, I do not think you are crazy.
But now with a wife and child I find I cannot be quite so spontaneous.
Within you lies the power for good - Use it!
|
|
|
|
|
30. Married. No kids. Dog.
If we knew the dog would be welcome where we were going, 5 hours for a weekend trip isn't unthinkable for us. Otherwise getting a sitter for the weekend pretty much shuts things down.
No dog? Short notice makes it (more) difficult (but not impossible) to find accommodations, at least for reasonable rates.
If the five hour drive were the only variable in the decision? Sure, why not? Better than sitting around at home like we do every other weekend. Unfortunately nothing in life is ever so simple...
|
|
|
|
|
I never want to go north of here, I'd only end up in Luton.
|
|
|
|
|
Just keep going. You'll be OK once you get past the Watford Gap. Mind you, you probably won't understand any of the local lingos.
|
|
|
|
|
I may not last forever but the mess I leave behind certainly will.
|
|
|
|
|
snorkie wrote: Does anybody else find this to be true?
Yes.
You're crazy 
Bastard Programmer from Hell 
If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^]
|
|
|
|
|
I don't often leave on a unplanned trip on only a few hours notice, but that's just because I would have already made plans a day or two ahead. I am always planning somewhere to go. I don't need accommodations, because I usually go camping, so dogs are just fine. I live in the western USA, so there is plenty of public land where camping is free.
We keep my SUV loaded for camping most of the time, so just need to grab some clothing and food and we're gone.
|
|
|
|
|
Before marriage and kids this was standard practice, to the point where I once decided to go to New Zealand (from Sydney) on a Thursday, quit the job on Friday, flew out with a one way ticket on Saturday, return 4 months later.
Now I need to book a holiday 4-6 months in advance so deployments are handled while I'm around.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH
|
|
|
|
|
General 
News 
Suggestion 
Question 
Bug 
Answer 
Joke 
Praise 
Rant 
Admin 
Submit an article or tip
