Vacationer? Traveler? All of the Above? None of the Above?

Yes, my friends, I did it. I tried to republish a post from three years ago, and through the copying, pasting, editing and so on, I inadvertently deleted one (and maybe both) of said post. Probably the most technologically incompetent thing since that day somewhere in the 80's I guess it was when I called my husband and asked him where I could find the "any" key. True story, never lived it down. Meanwhile the disaster disturbed me so much that it's nine at night, and I'm in my jammies and in bed, recovering and typing!

Lately, my eldest and I have been talking about the possibility of taking a girl cruise together. Not even a long one necessarily. She lives in Texas and there are piles of cruises leaving from Galveston going to Mexican and Caribbean ports of call. When we first talked about it I told her we had never taken a cruise in Europe because a single day in most places was just-not enough for me. Her response: Forget about the offshore cruises. This is Mexico and the Caribbean. Think about the beaches. Think about the water and the sun. We're not traveling, we're on vacation. Once said, I gave said cruise idea a second look.

It has come to me just lately that for the most part these days I am not a traveler. I am a vacationer and a day tripper primarily, with the occasional serious "travel trip" I mean, my well discussed planned 21 day train trip has to be considered travel, yes?  But it would be the first, serious trip in three years.  And while I'm not sure what the official definitions or differences are, when I look at what I want to do in the next year, the times I want to leave home are less than they were a few years ago. The places, they are definitely more vacation quality.  More and more, I am interested in finding a place (on the beach, in the mountains, in the woods on a lake), sitting myself down, relaxing and just "being'. Don't get me wrong, now, I still want to wander out to restaurants, look at some natural beauty and see some sights. My real purpose though, is sun, sand, seafood and water. Or in the case of the mountains, sun, peaks, game and beer.  And while I still enjoy the drive portion, the destination is at least as important as the journey these days. 

None of this has anything to do with the alone factor as such. I continued to travel and still travel alone, with great enjoyment. I've driven across the country in many directions by myself with great pleasure, and should I decide to travel further afield would do the same. I'm not afraid of being alone. I actuall feel I meet more people in those far away (or near) places than if I were in a group. And while that spa facation I'm talking about would be a girl's trip, my week to two weeks on a Texas beach would be fully alone. So whatever my temporary reason for deciding the nest in place on the beach or wherever, it's not about singlehood or widowhood.

Yes, this is a spa hotel. In Arizona. And on my list. 

So, yeah,  that train trip west is still on the horizon.. And that trip includes exploring San Francisco. But it also incorporates alot of time enjoying the train experience itself, and a full week in either the Tuscon and/or Marfa area. And every time I look at the map and think "But I've never been to Chicago (truly, I have never in my entire live been there except for the Airport, same for Atlanta), I look at the map some more and say "What about a week at Padre Island", or a cabin in Texas Hill Country, or a week in an Arizona Resort. Or heck, a week in a Hilton Head condo-and I hate golf!  

A comment from a family member, along with some comments on the blog have suggested to me that perhaps rather than not wanting to travel, I am being directed more to less populated places that are more in tune with nature as oppposed to big city type travel with museums, shows and the like. This may well be true, as I look at driving to Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, Montana environs. Nothing is wrong with this, just a different thing for a semi-city girl who traditionally appreciates big city travel, art museums, shows and the like.

Also, it's also much easier for me to say, cut down on travel, appreciate vacation travel, or concentrate on US travel as someone who has had unique opportunities by living in Europe for as many years as I have. This alone gives me a different perspective than the average travler/retiree.

So. other than said possible train travel, a week on Padre Island. A week at a VRBO in either Santa Fe or western Montana/Idaho. And either a spa vacation or a cruise with my daughter. Chicago? Some other time. Then again-a train trip to Chicago for the weekend to see Hamilton?  Perhaps it won't be so long after all. Who knows. Life is, after all, an adventure!

What about you. Are you a traveler? A vacationer?  An "I'd rather be at home type".  All of the above?  None of the above?  Does it really matter?