Vacation should be a 365 day Project

Posted on May 8, 2014May 8, 2014 by Dusty Roads

As I plan my list of “must-bring” items for my vacation my hiking boots are staring at me accusingly. They are a heavy item but necessary if I’m going to do any hiking. I’m going to the Great Smokey Mountains. What else do you do in a National Park?

Maybe I’m being too optimistic. After all its been only about 2 weeks since my right hip finally seemed to be healed from my nose dive off the Southwest plane in January. Even so. Having 2 “bad” hips has done a number on my lower back. Aleve is my new best friend.

The doctor suggested physical therapy. I’m willing but thanks to my insurance I won’t have a chance to get started until after my vacation so back to the question facing me… do I pack those boots or face the fact that I’m no longer as young and fit as I once was? Nah! I’ll take them along…just in case.

I think fondly of the days when a carry on was all I needed to travel. Undies , couple of “T’s”, pair of jeans and toiletries and I was good to go. Now I need a bunch of Sherpas to get my luggage stowed.

Since I’m going to the Great Smokey Mountains I will need my camera gear. I want to get some low light shots so I need the tripod. I also want to go look for wildlife (the animal kind) so I will need the big telephoto.

And of course I need my laptop. I want to be able to stay in touch with the world.

As I heft my bags for a weight check I groan. I am so out of shape. So a germ of an Idea

has begun to form in my simple brain. If I can do a 365 day photo challenge, why can’t I do a 365 day physical challenge (Shhhh..don’t tell my doctor I’m thinking about the “E” word)

But seriously, at this rate I’ll need a Palanquin (that’s a sedan chair) to get around.

Maybe if my carry on had wheels I could improve the experience but that one was destroyed by the Southwest Baggage handlers and I haven’t replaced it yet.

Yes I have to get serious about this exercise thing and maybe a little Diet too. Once I get back from this vacation I can think of it as 365 days until my next vacation. ( A slight exaggeration but you get the idea) Time to make a major dent in the fat cells.

In the meantime I will take along the hiking boots. Even if they don’t get used this trip the extra weight should be good for burning some calories.

Photo of The Week ~ 18

Posted on May 7, 2014May 7, 2014 by Dusty Roads

The week 18 tallies are in. The Photo of the Week with the most hits, likes, shares and/or comments is And The Feather Wand Is Mine with a total of 30 points.

To Order Prints Click here: http://dustyroadsphotos.zenfolio.com/p161572686/h1b97fd7d#h1b97fd7d

Concierge

Posted on May 6, 2014May 6, 2014 by Dusty Roads

I got a phone call. The caller identified herself as Jessie from Bent Creek Golf Village, the concierge. My first thought was that there was a problem with my reservation. I figured that would be par for the course (pun intended) after the way Smokey’s cancer went so I braced myself disappointing news.

To my surprise she wanted to know if I got her email with upcoming events. I confirmed that I had so she went on to welcome me, telling me how much she was looking forward to meeting me. She wanted to know if I had any questions but then she surprised me once again.

She gave me her phone number and told me to program it into the phone. She said she liked to do that if she knew she had someone traveling alone, especially a woman traveling alone. She told me any problems en route to just give her a call and if she could help she would!

All of the Diamond Resort properties that I’ve ever stayed at have a concierge desk. Often I’ve gotten a call from them once I’ve checked in making sure everything is satisfactory. They are very useful for tickets, often with discounts and they know which places, from attractions to restaurants, to recommend. But I’ve never had one go so far as to call me at home in advance of a trip. I think that’s a pretty special touch.

If you saw an episode of Undercover Boss you might not find it so unusual. The Diamond Resort slogan is “We love to say yes.” In the episode on Diamond Resorts the extra touch was what the boss was looking for.

I will have to be sure to fill out a comment card when I get there and give Jessie some high praise for going the extra mile. Do you think it might be a southern thing?

A Short Break

Posted on May 4, 2014May 4, 2014 by Dusty Roads

It’s been an emotional week. Not all bad by any means. I received a promotion at work which means more money and new challenges. That’s good.

Smokey was laid to rest. That was bad, at least emotionally draining.

I’ve been commuting to Somerville 1 1/2 – 2 hours each way in grid lock traffic for training.

That’s bad. When I finish there I turn around and rush home to finish off my regular work until 9 pm.

Bottom line, I’m tired. I can’t think straight. So I hope you won’t mind if I take a brief break to recharge and retrench. I’ll be back with new posts in say 5 -7 days? After All, we have a vacation soon and I need to pull myself together so I can tell you all about that.

I also want to thank everyone for their kind comments and condolences. It means more to me than you can possibly know. Thank you all!

Thanks Bunches 🙂

RIP Smokey

Posted on May 3, 2014May 3, 2014 by Dusty Roads

My beloved pet, Smokey crossed the Rainbow Bridge this morning at 11:25. It was time. He went peacefully surrounded by his human friends Thank you for all the happy times, cuddles and purrs. Rest in Peace my loyal friend.