Open road calling, but editor gets a busy signal

I have several friends who are getting to that retirement age, and some of them are making the most of the time they have and the money they’ve saved. One friend was a vice president of an insurance company and she has taken so many trips in the past two years that I’ve forgotten what city she calls home. Another friend was a librarian and a good friend of the vice president so they frequently travel together. Another friend was a school teacher — high school — and he’s enjoying a few months in sunny Florida.

Some of my loyal readers remember my friend Delana Nelsen, who got divorced, moved to France and wrote a weekly column about her adventures living there. People still ask about her. I’m happy to say she’s off on another adventure sailing on a catamaran in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Of all my friends, she’s been my most adventurous.

All these retired, traveling friends are the ones I went to school with in Eau Claire. We all went on the same semester abroad to London, and seeing their posts on the internet, I feel as if I’m right there with them.

There’s a lot to be said for learning new skills, making new friends and taking new adventures.

When I was younger, I had a bit of the wanderlust in me. I remember reading about places and seeing pictures and dreaming of one day traveling around the world. Part of that dream came true. I managed to spend a considerable amount of time in Europe, which is a good thing, as those places really resonated with me.

I’ve never had much interest in the Asian nations, and I don’t know why. Other than my love of a good Chinese buffet and the bright reds they use in their decor I really don’t have much of a connection. It’s too bad since my brother and sister-in-law have spent most of their adult years living in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Indonesia. Does it get any better knowing you can travel half way around the world and have a free place to stay?

My dream of going to Australia has yet to materialize. Years ago, I became a travel agent, hoping one of my travels would take me there. Now, the thought of spending 15 hours on a plane does me more harm than good. It’s just as well, I never have enough time or money at the same time.

These days my big trips are to Minneapolis or Lake Geneva. I’m sure I might have another adventure or two left in me, but I’ll have to see if that time and money situation ever connects. For now, it’s nice to live vicariously through others.