After nearly 25 years together, my wife and I rarely are apart for the night, let alone four nights. Even when she traveled for business, I would usually accompany here. However, in retirement, the costs of care for our schnauzer Tally, lodging, and airfare have resulted in a few separate trips, usually to visit family. 

I just dropped her off at the Punta Gorda Airport for a 5-day visit to Indianapolis. She’ll stay with her sister, get together with old friends, and attend a bridal shower for her niece. I will take care of Tally at home and fend for myself, although she has pre-prepared meals that will require little but the microwave. I have baseball and softball to watch and will obviously continue my morning runs, but have little else planned. 

With the early start this morning, I cut back on my mileage for the first time since our recent return from Egyptian travel. I was certainly not ready to get back on another plane, and won’t for another month when we travel to Portland. I’m already dreading an 8-hour layover in Denver and the 2a arrival. With time changes, partying, and strange beds, we’ll once again be exhausted. However, we are looking forward to the wedding, reconnecting with friends, seeing my stepdaughter’s new house, and the cooler Pacific temperatures. 

After another wedding in Indiana this August, my wife may need to fly to Oakland for a holiday visit with her other daughter. I may elect to stay home with Tally, creating another separation for a few days. These old bones are losing interest in the rigors of travel and I’ll need to rest up for our spring cruise across the Atlantic, maybe the last straw in major adventures. We’ll welcome visitors at home, especially if it means no travel and no being apart.