My longstanding love-hate relationship with tribute bands and nostalgia acts is certainly no secret to loyal readers and friends alike.
But there’s a new, somewhat unlikely thing that evokes strong mixed feelings for me: travel.
That’s right, the very activity that many retirees like me look forward to the most.
My girlfriend and I recently took a wonderful, whirlwind trip to France. But last year, settling into my after-work life, I started examining why I don’t hit the road or skies more often, and it seems to boil down to a variety of factors.
First, allow me to quickly digress with a recent travel observation: Americans overseas willingly embrace Euro art/culture, walking, and outdoor cafes, but always revert to old ways when back in the States. Remember everyone raving about dining parklets post-COVID? That ended abruptly to preserve our precious parking.
Certainly, Americans love their vacations and likely want to venture out more, but several forces conspire to restrict that.”
Anyway, back to my travel conundrum.
Bubble Life: For those of us lucky enough to call the Central Coast home, you know what I mean. I often feel like a curious tourist here, out and about soaking up our abundant sunshine and thriving music scene. It helps (or hurts) that I didn’t grow up here and still feel that sense of wonder and discovery. From Nojoqui Falls to Carrizo to Pinnacles, where else can you find as much splendor within a 90-minute drive?
FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out): Corollary to the paradise bubble, I usually lament all the cool activities and events I’m gonna miss if I leave.
Routine: The get-out-of-your-comfort-zone killer. I would never call myself adventurous per se, but like most of us, I did a lot more shit (good and bad) when I was younger.
Laziness: Another corollary to routine that afflicts everyone at some point. For me the key is finding a destination that gets you excited and motivated. Here’s a little hint: southern Europe.
Anxiety: This has become a recent but troubling issue for me but it’s actually a real phenomenon that people suffer from. In my case, I think part of it stems from decades of working in transportation and dealing with death and destruction on our highways every day.
Certainly, Americans love their vacations and likely want to venture out more, but several forces conspire to restrict that. You’ve got time and spirit when you’re young, but often little money. Career and family take priority during middle age. Many retirees have both time and money to travel extensively, but their psyches, like mine, don’t always cooperate.
For now, it’s all about enjoying the autumn SLO vibe until our next Mediterranean adventure in May.
So whether on walk-about around the world or just along that hidden trail down the road, always remember this well-worn but sage mantra: wherever you go, there you are.