has anyone else lost their desire to travel?

[hereyago]

No, not yet. And I will tell you why: Getting away recharges my "batteries' sort of speak. Before I had DD i traveled, then met exdh, we never went anywhere because he was terrible with money. His GF says maybe they will go someplace next year, she says this every year and the truth is it won't happen. Disclaimer: he and I get along really well but sometimes a duck is a duck and will always be a duck, just sayin.


Ever since DD12 was 4, I have taken her on trips. I believe it helps her be open minded with different people, situations.

We just came back from a 2 day trip to WDW. Yes, I know 2 days, but DD wanted to be here for Halloween, as it's her last "legal" one. So, the only phone call I made was to call and say we were there safe, no other phone calls were allowed. My aunt had my number and resort number in case of emergency. I wanted to enjoy that time alone with DD, without cleaning, fixing food, i needed someone to take care of me for a couple days. and i feel so much better and can handle things until next year's vacation.

Before that, the last time we went on vacation was a couple years ago. One of my dogs had to be put to sleep, lat year DM fell and broke her hip. She came out of rehab and my aunt was here so I could go on the trip, but it didn't feel right. I know regret that decision,but that is a whole different thread.

 

[hambirg]

yes to a point. I can now plan about 1 big trip a year to 1 1/2 years. Other than that too much work lol.

Mine is definitely the prep and post work to travelling with 5. I also used to be able to sit on a plane for 12 hours no problem, now its like 4 tops lol.

I also enjoy closer trips to home now as well. I think as life circumstances change so do our likes/dislikes

Absolutely this!

My dad was a teacher that grew up in North Dakota. He LOVED to travel. I guess it took me until I was an adult to understand just how privileged I was.

We camped and we road tripped it all over the states. One summer we left the day school was out and we didn't return until the week before school started. I remember it was the year before Epcot opened, because when we got down to Florida, I had an uncle living in Panama City, my Dad was disappointed by that. Being an educator, he said if he had known, he would have postponed the trip a year so we could have seen it.

By the time I was 16, I had been to every state in the Union except the New England states and right in the middle, Nebraska and Kansas. By the time I was 7, I had been to both Canada and Mexico. We didn't go on super luxurious trips. We stayed at Motel 6 most of the time. BUT my Dad's philosophy was that where you slept only had to be safe and clean, the main point was that you got to go and experience the places. I really was very privileged compared to my peers!

That being said. . .I married a German, and at 30, I finally got to travel to Europe. It was an eye opener. I think international travel is soooo important. I convinced my Mom to take a European tour when she was in her 70's. My kids have all been to Europe. My DD15 is going to make her 4th trip this December. I'm not sure if they understand how significant that is!

BUT to the Op's original post. . .I soo get not wanting to travel at times. When my kiddos were still very young, we didn't travel much. . just little in state trips. After 9/11 I'm not big on flying. I LOVE to plan trips, but as the actual date approaches, I have lots of doubts. I HATE flying to Europe, but once I'm there, it's great.

I don't know the OP's age, but I know my mom is not interested in traveling much anymore at all. She would much rather focus on spending time with her grandbabies. And I don't think there is anything wrong with that. Everyone has their priortities that are specific to them. Who are we to judge?

 

[sue1013]

I love to travel as long as I have the money and time and heath I will continue to travel. Lots of posters keep saying it's too much of a hassle to fly. Guess I don't have the same idea of a hassle. The only thing to me that has changed about flying is getting to airport earlier going through security. Security is taking off your shoes and walking through a scanner, I don't see a hassle here maybe I've been missing something.

 

[aprilgail2]

I was never crazy about flying but still do it....we are no where near tired of going away etc...in fact we are taking just small vacations in 2011 and 2012 because the following year my daughter and I are taking off for 2 months in the car and driving around the US and hitting as many states and doing as much as we can!!! Can't wait!!!

 

[kimmar067]

I've lost any desire to fly. I'm not going to put up with getting manhandled by a TSA employee.

....well tht explains your username...

 

[disneyofcourse]

I used to love flying and would travel between 5-10+ times a year using airline travel. But now its just so hectic and expensive and then the fees. ugh. Now I never take flights anywhere and just drive. I've also stopped taking as many vacations as I used to and spend more money upgrading the house.

 

[LisaR]

We had so many bad traveling experiences years ago that I admit to be gun shy. To this day, something always seems to go wrong. Some things we can laugh about and others; not so much.

My DD (15) has never been to a hospital EXCEPT when on vacation. Three different times on three different trips. Once, she was at a walk in clinic getting IV's for a virus with extreme dehydration and they couldn't wake her up. They had to call an ambulance. Any hospital visit is scary but when you are in an unfamiliar state it just makes it worse.

Add to that our younger son that always had severe anxiety when it came time to travel (autistic) and it makes for a "wonderful" time.

DS also has severe allergies so I need to cook the entire time we are away. Not much of a break for me.

Thankfully, both kids seem to be over their mishaps and anxiety when we travel now that they are older. Now the challenge is finding something both will enjoy. They are complete opposites. DS loves history and could listen to someone ramble for hours about a historic event. DD would rather blow her brains out! She loves art museums and shopping, something DS hates.

DH and I do look forward to changing our traveling style when the kids are on their own. We love them dearly but they seem to have put a cramp in our vacations.

 

[C.Ann]

Thankfully, both kids seem to be over their mishaps and anxiety when we travel now that they are older. Now the challenge is finding something both will enjoy. They are complete opposites. DS loves history and could listen to someone ramble for hours about a historic event. DD would rather blow her brains out! She loves art museums and shopping, something DS hates.

DH and I do look forward to changing our traveling style when the kids are on their own. We love them dearly but they seem to have put a cramp in our vacations.

Glad to hear that things have improved for you..

Sounds like you need to find a vacation spot where your DH can take your DS off to some historical sites - while you and your DD do the art museums and shopping.. Doable - but would take some research on your part.. And of course it all depends on whether you prefer to fly or drive..

Hope you can find some vacation spots that everyone can enjoy.. Those darn kids grow up so fast - you have to grab what time you can while they're still interested in vacationing with mom and dad..

Good luck!

 

[Mimi1965]

Our kids are grown and we LOVE to travel.

We try to get away every 6 weeks ar so-even if its just a one night get away at the local shore. We try to see a traveling Broadway musical at a nearby city as often as we can & love to go to unusual Fesivals-mostly geared to Antique cars and wooden boats.

For the last 4 years-WE also fly 2 times a year to see a dear relative-which has led us to explore a whole part of the USA I never dreamed of seeing

After being Disney freaks and visiting yearly-we cut down to every 2-3 years and that suits us. Going to see the Epcot Flower show this spring & I am very excited about this trip to the Swan Hotel

 

[mdsoccermom]

Never. There is a whole world out there and I've only seen a fraction of it. I travel a lot for work and am always on the plane or in the car off to someplace new, and I still don't tire of it. I am so thankful that my kids also want to travel (and not just to Disney).

 

[powellrj]

Right now I am. Life has gotten so busy and complicated that all I want to do is stay home and do nothing for awhile. I want familiar, comfortable and stress free. Give me a few months of nothing and I will be ready to go again, but right now I have no desire to travel anywhere.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I have told DH that when we retire I would love to get an RV and travel all over the country. I want to see every state and do all the major and many of the minor tourist attractions in each one! He isn't much for an RV. He has said he would rather just have a nice comfortable car and stay in a hotel.

I would have loved to have had the money and the time (the money is the big obstacle) to take my kids to all the amazing or educational and historical places we could find, but that isn't going to happen. Maybe that I why I do have the desire to travel-- as a kid we only went to the same 2 places year after year and I would love to have been able to broaden my kids horizons.

But we also love cruising, train travel...not big on flying because of the TSA debacle, but we do it when we want to go somewhere that requires it. Just in the past two years, we've done an Alaska cruise followed by a month of backpacking through interior Alaska (with multiple train rides thrown in),

How in the heck did he go backpacking with an ECV???

We'll be back in New Orleans again for Mardi Gras, then heading out West and back to Alaska.

When I was younger I wanted to go to NO for Mardi Gras. But now, I would still love to visit NO, but no way during that time! I really hate crowds and with the ECV crowds are even worse.

How big is your ECV? Dad's is small enough that it fits into a regular cabin on a cruise ship (though we book handicapped accessible cabins when we can), parks easily next to the bunk beds in a hostel, and disassembles to go in the trunk of a cab.

Mine is actually quite cool-- folds up and can be stored upright like an ironing board-- fits in a cruise ship closet! Disassembles very easy but is so lightweight that DH can usually just fold and lift it in. So that does make things easier.


It is true that different countries have different levels of accessibility--but that's just part of the fun! We've found that locals are super friendly and helpful...and your scooter can go absolutely anywhere when 4 or 5 big guys are there to lift it over whatever obstacles!

I am fortunate that I can actually lift/pull mine when needed, it is quite easy. Came in very handy in Savannah GA where the sidewalks were quite a problem.

Are you able to walk at all? Dad has found that using a cane helps him immensely. If there's something he wants to see that is flatly inaccessible to scooters, he takes the cane and goes...he may feel it the next day, but he follows the advice of his psychologist: "Sometimes you're going to do something, and it's going to hurt like heck...but it'll be so worth it!" His doctor does want him to walk as much as possible.

Fortunately I am actually doing much better than I was and am able to walk more than a few years ago. I do keep a cane handy and use it when needed. I am fine around the house and for short trips. My rule of thumb is about 20 minutes. If I will need to be on my feet for longer than that I will need my scooter, although I did manage about an hour in Walmart last night. I am paying for it today though. Not sure that was worth it!

Are there inconveniences? Absolutely. Does traveling with an ECV introduce new challenges? Without a doubt. But Dad says he feels like the ECV gave him his life back, not the other way around.

I absolutely agree that my ECV totally gave me back my life and my freedom. For over a year I was completely homebound and it really was a dark time for me. I went from being a go, go, go always active person to completely dependent on someone to push me in wc to leave the house at all. My ECV is the best money we ever spent.

But it does still change the way we travel. And some of the things I want to do. I will not be able to climb to Dunn River Falls or any of the pyramids, take a Segway tour with my sister, or the walking tour of Nova Scotia my MIL wants to do. But I do try to find the things that I can do or that I can adapt to and keep on going.

Yes, and I thought I was the only one. Life stresses have drained my life of a lot of its pleasures. I really can't see myself travelling again unless life changes back to its joyful state.

 

[disney11fan]

I don't know exactly why, but I feel like I have lost my desire to travel. I'm not sure if its cause of the hassle involved or the money it costs, but I find myself more and more content to stay in and enjoy my own home ( we have people over quite often) Anyone else feeling like this? About the only thing that sounds appealing to me is going down to the keys, and for us that a drive not a plane ride. Even disney world, which used to be our fave...seems like too much hassle/expense to me.

get to airport btwn 2-3 hours before a flight. thanks to increased security threats makes airline travel a pain.

increase taxes to tourist on everything,car rental and hotels.

high cost for food in the parks.
high cost for park tickets.

already informed family trip to disney in 2011is out.

stay close to home and vacation where we can drive.

 

[taylor3297]

The part of traveling that I no longer like is the getting there. Once I am there I have a blast! I hate long car trips but each year we do a 12 hour drive for an family vacation (all my sisters and their families meet us there). If I had my choice I would fly. To me if know how your airport security works, then you know what to expect. Everything the TSA is doing is for our security and I rather be a bit embarrassed with a pat down than have someone be able to bring something illegal and life threatening on the plane.

 

[Angelhalo]

That's a pretty neat thing you have hooked to the back there..

Thanks C. Ann! That's our trailer (oviously). It carries our tent, sleeping bag, pillows, clothes, clooking supplies etc etc! I love it because I don't have to try to cram all my stuff for a week or more into the little sidebag on the bike iteself!

Here we are in the mountains a couple of weeks ago!

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Living here in WI, I love to plan little trips to escape from the cold, cloudy, gray winter season.

 

[Disney Doll]

Nope. I love travelling.

 

[kirstenb1]

I love to travel as long as I have the money and time and heath I will continue to travel. Lots of posters keep saying it's too much of a hassle to fly. Guess I don't have the same idea of a hassle. The only thing to me that has changed about flying is getting to airport earlier going through security. Security is taking off your shoes and walking through a scanner, I don't see a hassle here maybe I've been missing something.

I know we travel with young children, which doesn't stress everyone, but does me. I'll never forget our trip to WDW, when on the return, we were stranded at the Atlanta airport with our 2 yr old for 5 hours. Thank God our youngest, who has special needs wasn't born yet!!

I never fly, so I 'd also have to research all the new restrictions with liquids, new prices for checked bags, pray that our younger dd who has autism would be seated with either dh or me, and not have us sitting in 4 separate random seats all over the plane, etc.

Yep, I've just talked myself into another 12 hr drive to WDW instead of flying!

 

[JLTraveling]

I absolutely agree that my ECV totally gave me back my life and my freedom. For over a year I was completely homebound and it really was a dark time for me. I went from being a go, go, go always active person to completely dependent on someone to push me in wc to leave the house at all. My ECV is the best money we ever spent.

But it does still change the way we travel. And some of the things I want to do. I will not be able to climb to Dunn River Falls or any of the pyramids, take a Segway tour with my sister, or the walking tour of Nova Scotia my MIL wants to do. But I do try to find the things that I can do or that I can adapt to and keep on going.

I'm so glad to hear that you have a good ECV that travels well, and that you're able to do some walking with your cane! Looks like you've really thought things through...I know that it does feel discouraging sometimes, my dad has his moments too.

You are correct that climbing Dunn River Falls may be out...but you could easily take the trip out to the Falls. My family was there years ago when everyone was perfectly healthy, and we actually opted out of the climb due to the time it would take. We did a different tour that allowed us some time to take photos of the climbers and swim at the bottom, plus visit a bunch of other attractions including a sugar cane plantation where we got to sample the raw sugar cane. Not quite the same as climbing the Falls, but a really neat day nonetheless.

On the Egypt thing, we've done a great deal of research, as we're hoping to go in a year or two. There's no ECV accessibility inside the pyramids, but there are paved, wide walkways TO the pyramids and designated wheelchair viewing for the laser show. So again, not *quite* the full experience, but potentially a pretty good one nonetheless.

Why can't you do the walking tour of Nova Scotia? Just plan for scooter charge stops along the way.

I don't mean to sound glib. I know the ECV makes things more challenging. I just want to offer encouragement based on the adaptations that we've been able to make

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Ummm....no. I live to travel. I just got back from Disney, and this week started my mental calendar for the next trip.

327 days and counting.