If you start numbering the years you'll start numbering the seasons. Then you'll number the trips and eventually get down to the days. This is where and when you'll find yourself clock watching. That's no way to live. Make plans, sensibly adjust the expectations, and accept the consequences of time. Then try to explore/embrace a new set of possibilities. Just because some of us are well past our Best Date doesn't mean we've hit our Expiry Date. That comes in time to us all. You can sit and wait, and watch that clock, or you can make new plans...
I think you have provided an appropriate perspective, Odyssey.
In the summer of 2022, Kathleen and I completed our last northern Canada wilderness canoe trip. To fill the void we finally accepted our daughter Monica’s annual invitation to share her passion for cruising. In May of 2023 we cruised for nine days from Barcelona to Rome, with Monica, her partner Sean, and Sean’s son & wife. We began the trip by flying to Barcelona three days before the cruise. We ended the trip by staying in Rome for three days after the cruise. The highlights for us were the three days in Barcelona and Rome, respectively, where we strolled the streets, revelling in the architecture, and marvelling at the history. We also very much enjoyed sitting at sidewalk cafes with a glass, or two, of chardonnay, absorbing the unending vibrant street life parading past. Our hotel room in Rome looked out in two directions above the street immediately below. We left our bedroom windows open at night so that we could hear people promenading and relaxing in the evening warmth.
During the cruise, we visited the Pope’s Palace in Avignon, explored the Villefranche port, toured Nice and Saint-Paul de Vence, rode the train to Florence, climbed the tower of Pisa, ate focaccia and pesto in Genoa, and dined on original pizza in Naples.
We never asked ourselves whether or not visiting Europe was as good as canoe tripping in Northern Canada. Both activities excelled in their own way. Just different, desirable experiences for different stages of our life.
Thanks for broaching the topic, Odyssey.
