When you are free

[Jersey Girl]

Hey guys,

There were a few exchanges regarding our plans for when we are free of the weight and risk of Covid again. I have a small list that includes a few things that have never left my thoughts for the past 11 months. Mainly the first 2 plans.

1. Hugs and Kisses.

It's not like I haven't snuck in a few hugs here and there. But yes, what I look forward to the absolute most is hugging and kissing my people. Also absconding with a little one to go off on adventures like we always have done in the past.

2. Travel

Wanting to do the trips I had planned to do in 2020. First to Florida and then back to the UK (London and Edinburgh) and adding on the Republic of Ireland this time around. Since the itinerary has been sitting on my computer for a year now, I've been spending my time in self imposed isolation taking classes that I think will enhance my appreciation of our destinations. I'm currently taking a class on the development and decline of the Scottish Clans. Next up, I have a class about Irish culture. Those were my first two choices, I have more after that leading up to the trip which I hope will happen in early fall.

3. Back in business

I'm rejoining an association of area artisans and craftsmen that I used to be part of but had to give up for my professional commitments. I've been working on product for the past 2 months or so. It's been a good way to pass the time and work towards a goal while indoors. The organization does two shows each year and also provides scholarships to area students in need, so it's part sales and part fundraiser as well. Which I like.

4. Go swimming!

I don't care if it's in a pool or the ocean. I just want to swim!!

So. When you are free what will you do?

[Some Schmo]

Nice thread idea.

Yeah, travel. Absolutely. We have extended family and friends we're very excited to see. This is the thing I'm looking forward to the most, and there are too many destinations to list. It would be fair to say I want explore the entire west coast of North America. We've been talking a lot about Canada, actually. I'm willing to wait for the summer for that, though.

I'm looking forward to speaking in public again. This, from a professional standpoint, is what I miss most. Zoom speeches/presentations are not the same thing. How can you be as good sitting down in your pajamas?

I miss concerts and breweries. I'm dying to hit a comedy club.

And honestly, I miss seeing people's faces and not thinking, Dude, wear a damned mask.

[Jersey Girl]

Nice thread idea.

Yeah, travel. Absolutely. We have extended family and friends we're very excited to see. This is the thing I'm looking forward to the most, and there are too many destinations to list. It would be fair to say I want explore the entire west coast of North America. We've been talking a lot about Canada, actually. I'm willing to wait for the summer for that, though.

I'm looking forward to speaking in public again. This, from a professional standpoint, is what I miss most. Zoom speeches/presentations are not the same thing. How can you be as good sitting down in your pajamas?

I miss concerts and breweries. I'm dying to hit a comedy club.

And honestly, I miss seeing people's faces and not thinking, Dude, wear a damned mask.

Love these freedom goals! I have traveled up and down the West Coast. What stands out for me are the Redwoods and Sequoias, but I am a tree hugging nature lover of course. Also the tall rocks jutting up out of the Pacific which is nothing like the Atlantic. I traveled to Canada twice when I was a kid and you know what, while I recall some of it, I wouldn't mind going back as an adult. I'd love to do New England in fall...OMG.

I don't doubt for a second that you enjoy comedy clubs. I've never been. I have a concert on hold for June which I now wish I didn't have to go to because I'd rather get a refund which I think might be impossible. I'd use the money for travel.

What kind of concert would you like to go to???

We've got a ton of micro breweries around here, is that the kind of thing you enjoy? Sort of like pubs. They do pub crawls and fund raisers, and stuff like that. Serve food and all. I've only been to two breweries but they are owned by the same company. One of them, Schmo, you can sit inside or outside and eat/drink and have an awesome view of Pikes Peak. It's really cool!

Oh, I can't wait to GO. It's not like I don't have a nice place to live but I've been here for so long and I am someone who needs to GO.

[Some Schmo]

Love these freedom goals! I have traveled up and down the West Coast. What stands out for me are the Redwoods and Sequoias, but I am a tree hugging nature lover of course. Also the tall rocks jutting up out of the Pacific which is nothing like the Atlantic. I traveled to Canada twice when I was a kid and you know what, while I recall some of it, I wouldn't mind going back as an adult. I'd love to do New England in fall...OMG.

Man, I love the New England area. As much beauty as anyone can handle.

I don't doubt for a second that you enjoy comedy clubs. I've never been. I have a concert on hold for June which I now wish I didn't have to go to because I'd rather get a refund which I think might be impossible. I'd use the money for travel.

Comedy clubs aren't for everyone; they make my wife very uncomfortable, for instance. She always wants to sit as far away from the stage as possible.

What's the concert?

What kind of concert would you like to go to???

Before the pandemic, we had plans to go see Dave Matthews Band. I've got to see him live at some point.

We've got a ton of micro breweries around here, is that the kind of thing you enjoy? Sort of like pubs. They do pub crawls and fund raisers, and stuff like that. Serve food and all. I've only been to two breweries but they are owned by the same company. One of them, Schmo, you can sit inside or outside and eat/drink and have an awesome view of Pikes Peak. It's really cool!

Yes, what you're describing is exactly what I love. I went on a brewery tour when we visited Asheville, NC, and it was a blast. It was a total waste of money (all the breweries there are really close together - we didn't need the bus), but we had a great time.

Oh, I can't wait to GO. It's not like I don't have a nice place to live but I've been here for so long and I am someone who needs to GO.

I hear ya.

[Jersey Girl]

Yes, New England in fall is beyond beautiful! I have a secret plan to go to Walden Pond and take my copy of Walden with me, among other places I would like to visit there. I've read that Walden Pond is kind of overrun with tourists, but I'd still do it. When I went back to North Jersey about 7 years ago to visit a relative in September, I drove up from the Shore and as I made my way off the Garden State Parkway and through the side roads to where I was heading, I caught sight of the fall colors (that hadn't made their way south yet) and I just got tears in my eyes. I haven't seen that with my very own eyes for decades. I stuffed my pockets with leaves around the nursing home where I was visiting.

I think I would be just like your wife about comedy clubs. The thought of it makes me feel uncomfortable, thinking that I could be put on the spot somehow. Although I suppose I could handle it, I probably wouldn't invite it. Introverts hate that kind of thing.

So yes, the two breweries I mentioned both have mountain views. Just the kind of place where you can dress up, dress down, nobody cares, just show up and enjoy. I really like the atmosphere. We take visiting family there on their last day with us because you can relax, eat, talk and linger as long as you like. They also serve Bison which is always a cool vacation memory for our guests to brag about when they get back home. There are probably hundreds of breweries in our state.

So, the concert is the Frankie Valli and the Fake Four Seasons I was supposed to go to this past June. It was to be a girl's birthday day out for all the girls in our family because the music is clean enough to even take young ones to experience and we look for that kind of thing when we can. It got rescheduled for this year and on account of that, I can't get a refund unless Frankie Valli (who would be 87 by this June) bites it or something. We'll just have to see how that goes... You know, even the Stones offer refunds for cancellations if you want it. I don't know why it's different for Frankie Valli, but yeah.

If you haven't already, the Great Smoky Mountains are also a nice place to visit in fall. I know there were terrible wildfires there, but I imagine it's still beautiful. Man, there are so many great places to see in the U.S. I'm ready to jump the fence!

[Some Schmo]

I think I would be just like your wife about comedy clubs. The thought of it makes me feel uncomfortable, thinking that I could be put on the spot somehow. Although I suppose I could handle it, I probably wouldn't invite it. Introverts hate that kind of thing.

That's exactly her problem with comedy clubs. She does not want any contact with the performance except to watch. She's a sweetheart; she'll go because she knows I enjoy it. I don't mind the front row (although I rarely sit there because, well, my wife). Sometimes, it feels like I'm begging for it, if you know what I mean.

So, the concert is the Frankie Valli and the Fake Four Seasons I was supposed to go to this past June. It was to be a girl's birthday day out for all the girls in our family because the music is clean enough to even take young ones to experience and we look for that kind of thing when we can. It got rescheduled for this year and on account of that, I can't get a refund unless Frankie Valli (who would be 87 by this June) bites it or something. We'll just have to see how that goes... You know, even the Stones offer refunds for cancellations if you want it. I don't know why it's different for Frankie Valli, but yeah.

Wow, yeah... I had no idea he was still performing. That would be something to see.

If you haven't already, the Great Smoky Mountains are also a nice place to visit in fall. I know there were terrible wildfires there, but I imagine it's still beautiful. Man, there are so many great places to see in the U.S. I'm ready to jump the fence!

I have been all over that area, and you're right; it's gorgeous. There are two weeks in October that are breathtaking, if you're any kind of sucker for nature.

[Some Schmo]

Have you ever gone to Dollywood, Jersey Girl?

[Jersey Girl]

Have you ever gone to Dollywood, Jersey Girl?

Hey Schmo I was just watching a Dolly Parton video on YouTube and remembered your post here. The answer is no. When we visited Pigeon Forge, Dollywood didn't exist. I still have pieces of Pigeon Forge pottery that I bought in the shops there. The whole place was so pretty and I have a scary story about driving the Blue Ridge Parkway in fog. An unforgettable experience!

We've been through most all of the U.S. except the middle states and if I could pick just one destination to travel to again, just one, it would have to be hands down, the Grand Canyon. I've never seen anything like it in my life. If you ever have a chance to go there, do it. I promise you'll never regret it and you'll never forget it!

[Gunnar]

We've been through most all of the U.S. except the middle states and if I could pick just one destination to travel to again, just one, it would have to be hands down, the Grand Canyon. I've never seen anything like it in my life. If you ever have a chance to go there, do it. I promise you'll never regret it and you'll never forget it!

Speaking of the Grand Canyon, I have been there exactly once, but not from ground level. When I was stationed at Mather AFB, before it was closed down. At the time the base was the home of the Air Force Aerial Navigation School, as well as hosting a squadron of B 52 Bombers. The aircraft used at the time for training navigators was the T 43, which was a modified Boeing 737-200. I was once given the opportunity to ride along in one of these T 43s during a routine, low level, terrain following training mission deep into the Grand Canyon. I even got to see the view from the cockpit seated right behind the Pilots. That incentive flight offered to me was just about the most spectacular and memorable experience I had during my time in the Air Force! A more spectacular and exciting view of the Grand Canyon from the inside out, so to speak, can hardly be imagined! We were actually flying below the tops of the cliffs lining the canyon for much of the flight!

[Jersey Girl]

We've been through most all of the U.S. except the middle states and if I could pick just one destination to travel to again, just one, it would have to be hands down, the Grand Canyon. I've never seen anything like it in my life. If you ever have a chance to go there, do it. I promise you'll never regret it and you'll never forget it!

Speaking of the Grand Canyon, I have been there exactly once, but not from ground level. When I was stationed at Mather AFB, before it was closed down. At the time the base was the home of the Air Force Aerial Navigation School, as well as hosting a squadron of B 52 Bombers. The aircraft used at the time for training navigators was the T 43, which was a modified Boeing 737-200. I was once given the opportunity to ride along in one of these T 43s during a routine, low level, terrain following training mission deep into the Grand Canyon. I even got to see the view from the cockpit seated right behind the Pilots. That incentive flight offered to me was just about the most spectacular and memorable experience I had during my time in the Air Force! A more spectacular and exciting view of the Grand Canyon from the inside out, so to speak, can hardly be imagined! We were actually flying below the tops of the cliffs lining the canyon for much of the flight!

What a once in a lifetime experience, Gunnar!