Superbowl Sunday

Posted on February 5, 2017February 5, 2017 by Dusty Roads

Before anyone starts yelling mean things about the New England Patriots, remember I am from a New England state. I’ve heard it all and I am sick of it. Suck it up , cupcake. The New England Patriots win games. You hate us ’cause you ain’t us! So I am not going to get pulled into a Pat’s bashing dialog. No whining about “cheaters”. No complaining because we’re in the Superbowl “AGAIN”.

I am not going to put your team down. I am not going to call your team names. ( Not even if it’s the Cleveland Browns)

I work in Foxboro, home of Gillette Stadium.

I’ve been to Patriot’s Place.

I like Tom Brady. I’d like to see him get one more ring.

(Brookline, MA, 0/14/15) New England quarterback Tom Brady holds his hands with all four of his Super Bowl rings during a ceremony on Sunday, June 14, 2015. Photo courtesy of the New England Patriots

I have friends in Atlanta. I’ve been there. It’s a nice city.

I have nothing against the Atlanta Falcons. Congratulations on making the Superbowl!

That being said,

May it be an exciting game, a true nail biter. Make it a game worthy of a “SUPER” bowl.

pats

‘Nuf Said!

What Does Travel Mean to You?

Posted on February 4, 2017February 4, 2017 by Dusty Roads

I was running around making lists of things I need to do before I leave for Hawaii and it suddenly hit me that I was tired. Very, very tired. The kind of tired that if I let myself stop for a minute will just fall asleep.

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I found myself asking why I do this to myself.

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To take a vacation everything is supposed to be caught up at work for the co-worker who will cover your absence. That’s only fair but this week I ended up doing my work, another associate’s work and she was covering a 3rd person’s work. Needless to say my last day became really hectic.

Now my cat is demanding my attention and I’m missing him already.

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I know once I’m on my way I will start looking forward to the trip again but it made me think about travel in general.

On the South Rim, Grand Canyon 2008

Is the reason many people never head out to explore because they get bogged down in the shear WORK of getting packed and out the door? One friend said she only goes on cruises because planning a trip was just too much work. Everything is planned for her on a cruise!

Key West 2013

Usually I spend months researching an area, planning and dreaming about the vacation. I get a lot of pleasure out of this planning stage. But no matter how prepared I am, the reality always trumps the planning. I love seeing new places, meeting new people, trying new things.

Maui 2016

Now although I often feel torn about leaving I really can’t see myself giving up the adventure. I no sooner finish one trip when I’m thinking about the next one. I told a co-worker that asked me why I didn’t retire that “I Work so I can Vacation”. I guess that sums it up.

Orlando, Fl June 2011 Photo by JR St Jean, Take Pride Photography

How do you feel about traveling?

How to pack for a Trip

Posted on February 3, 2017February 3, 2017 by Dusty Roads

I travel a lot and often I pack at the last minute so I thought I’d mention my preferred method of packing. If you search the internet there are tons of suggestions and I have never done a “scientific” experiment to find the “best” way.

I don’t have much difficulty packing to leave but the return trip is a different story. By the time I’ve added the souvenir sweatshirt and the new T shirts I have a bulging bag.

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I had a huge suitcase when I went to Alaska because of all the heavy winter clothes. It was fine when we left but it was overweight when I returned. Cost a bundle in fees too!

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One of the advantages of a timeshare is that very often there is a washer and dryer in the unit so when you are relaxing at the end of a busy day/ week you can toss in a load of dirty clothes. It is so much nicer to bring clean clothes home than a suitcase full of stinky, dirty socks and shirts.

washer-and-dryer

But I digress….My preferred packing procedure is as follows:

· Step 1. Open suitcase

· Step 2. Remove Cat

Rocky suitcase

· Step 3. place tripod diagonally in the bottom of the suitcase

· Step 4. remove Cat again

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· Step 5. add pants, shorts T’s

· Step 6. remove Cat one more time

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· Step 7. tuck socks, undies and sleep wear in the nooks and crannies

· Step 8. Wrap any extra shoes or sneakers in plastic bags and tuck in next to the sides of the suitcase.

· Step 9. Remove Cat for the last time

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· Step 10. Quickly close and zip suite case. Double check the Cat is outside and not tucked into a nook or cranny of the suitcase

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You’re done! 10 easy steps!

The Great Whale Photo Search

Posted on February 2, 2017February 2, 2017 by Dusty Roads

I’m starting to get excited for my trip back to Maui. My timeshare called me. They tried to hook me up for a Luau and a special evening of wine and food put on by the executive chef. I said no to both. I’ve done enough Luau’s now that the thrill is gone. They are enjoyable but my mouth doesn’t hang open in wonder any more, not even for the fire dancers. As for a special culinary evening, I don’t drink and I’m not an adventurous eater. Probably the most exotic thing I like is escargot. Calamari? Not a fan, salmon? Nope. Even with dessert I prefer plain and simple. Flans and crème brulee? Not interested. I’ll take a dish of chocolate ice cream, a slice of apple pie or a strawberry shortcake. A foodie vacation would not interest me.

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What does interest me are animals. I’ve chased Elk all over from South Dakota

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(where I struck out) to Tennessee (where I finally caught up with them)

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So this trip to Maui is all about the whales and the posts on Facebook are really getting me in the right frame of mind. Just look at this photo taken by Anna Smith on a sunrise Whale Watch out of Lahaina. What an awesome shot!

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Then there is this one from the same place captured by naturalist Jackson Kowalski. Hats off to this photographer too.

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I want to capture my own version of this behavior. I’m ready. I can’t wait!

What a Difference a day makes!

Posted on February 1, 2017February 1, 2017 by Dusty Roads

When I left the office last night at 5 pm it was still light out! That tells me that we are heading into the 2nd half of the winter. Kind of like Wednesday is hump day. It seems like I’ve been traveling back and forth to work in the dark forever.

The sunset was gorgeous but it didn’t last long. I no sooner drove out of the parking lot and around the corner for a better look than it began to fade. Still it gave my spirits a lift to see those gorgeous magenta colors even if only for a few minutes.

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Today is not even close. We have a snow storm out there. The 12 mile drive from the office to home was an hour on the road.

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Tomorrow is February 1 and February always seems to have snow. I should know, Its my birthday month and it seems that I always get a snowstorm around my birthday.

The forecast is for clearing weather this weekend so I’m hoping I’ll have smooth sailing heading to Hawaii. Its ok if we get grounded when we head back. A few years ago one of our agents was on vacation in Mexico when bad weather in the northeast grounded his flights fro 3 days.

I wouldn’t complain if that happened to me.