Our trip to the Big Apple went by like a “New York Minute.”  As is the case with any trip away from home, it takes time to prepare for the journey and then effort to reorganize once you finally return. I can’t imagine what this process would be like on an extended journey.

I have never had the opportunity to travel for more than 12 days at a time. Work never allowed for more than a week at a time off, stretched between two weekends and maybe a holiday bonus. With my wife still working, this restriction on travel will continue for at least another five years, and I will have to wait to spend more time away from home. It’s probably not affordable anyway, with pet sitting expenses and short-term vacation quarters. At some point, we will sell our home, be without pets, take a world cruise, or live abroad for a year or longer. In the meantime, I’ll be content accompanying my wife on short business trips extended into weekends, family obligated get-togethers, and 10-day travel adventures to bucket-list destinations.  We’ll continue to practice packing and unpacking until we get it right.

It’s always good to get back home, see the pets, and settle back into a routine. Travel continues to be a $1000 a day investment on top of general living expenses. It’s more like a $1000 a week to simply stay home. We’ll undoubtedly end up spending more time at home later in life, eventually tiring of travel schedules, hotel changes, and toting heavy luggage. There’s still a lot to see and do. Or, will the money and energy just dry up first?