In the year 2017, I was fully retired but my younger wife was still working. I had the advantage of accompanying her on many business trips primarily to LA, Seattle, Chicago, and NY while enjoying the free accommodations provided by her company. While she was out making calls, I would go for a run, visit a museum, have lunch with a friend, or go to a ballpark or historical landmark. As of three years ago, we both were retired and then Covid struck so this kind of business travel would have likely been limited to Zoom conferences. The two-week getaway that we’re currently taking, is probably the longest either of us have been away from home at any time in our lives. We will do the same thing in August, September, and December if all goes as planned. In retrospect, we were essentially homeless during the long drive from Portland to Florida when we settled into our new place a year ago. 

Tally was with us on that long drive, but will be left behind several more time during the rest of our travels this year. It’s not our choice but dogs are simply not welcome! This is also the longest stretch we’ve ever been away from her, so I hope she recognizes us when we pick her up at Schnauzerville next week. I’m sure she’d be disappointed if she knew that the next two trips will be close to a month in length each, followed by two weeks in Hawaii. She’ll be left behind, but hopefully her schnauzer buddies will keep her happy. I’m grateful that all this travel has prevented my wife from getting another puppy, something she’s had her eye on for some time now. We had to pass on the three recent litters that produced eighteen tiny, black bundles of fur. Her favorite was the one with a small patch of white.

Next year, will be equally “busy” with travel to Phoenix, Tucson, Egypt, Tahoe, and the East coast to Maine. Maybe we can put off the extra pup for another year, but when travel time has run its course, then puppy time will take its place. Perhaps, no lengthy trips will take place in our distant future with more time to enjoy our resort community. Plus, money will certainly be a factor. We’ve spent a lot of our once aggressive travel budget on projects at home. Tally is probably happy that trips that we once had planned to Bali, St. Kitts, Russia, and China may never take place. Tahoe, Kauai, and Egypt adventures have been rescheduled. Puppies and Travels -who knows what will happen?