Friends are one of the great blessings we have in this life. Some friends pass in and out of our lives with rapid speed because of job reassignments and relocations. Some friends remain in a central part of our lives for years, sharing special memories with us. We have been blessed with many such friends because we have not moved around much after coming to north Alabama shortly after finishing college.
We became friends with Jack and Donna Jo immediately after moving to Alabama in 1967. The four of us were busy raising children and trying to make ends meet financially for thirty years before we took our first trip together in 1997. Since that date we have traveled together to Alaska, New England, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Carolina, and even more exotic places like Egypt, Turkey, and Greece.
The four of us were on a trip to Maine and Prince Edward Island the week Jack and Donna Jo celebrated their 60th birthdays. Now it is ten years later, so we asked if they would like to take another trip with us to celebrate 70. We suggested a trip to Switzerland to visit the Alps and do some hiking in the area while we were all still able to engage in that type of activity. They thought it was a good idea, so plans were set in motion.
We told them that they could pack for the trip any way they chose, but we planned to backpack our travel items. Having traveled with them in the past, we could not imagine them traveling with backpacks instead of overstuffed suitcases.
“No! If we are going to go, we want to do it just like you do,” Donna Jo replied.
We were shocked. (“Who are you and what have you done with our friend Donna Jo?”)
We loaned them our spare backpacks, gave them some hints we had picked up in past trips, and sent them off to re-think the situation. They came back with more questions and determination to travel carrying only what would fit in their backpacks.
So…starting August 30, four travelers (all of whom will all turn 70 years old within the next 12 months) plan to fly to Switzerland and spend twelve days in the Alps, staying in bed and breakfasts, small hotels and rented rooms; hiking and enjoying the scenery, toting only the items we can carry on our backs. We definitely plan to carry a small computer so we can blog the trip, which should be a hilarious collection of mishaps involving senior citizens attempting to imitate people 50 years their junior.
So, if you are curious about how all of this is actually going to turn out, stay tuned. We will update this blog as we have opportunities and internet capabilities. To Bobby, Brenda, Billy, Barry, Bonny and Barbara Jo: We apologize ahead of time for any embarrassment we may cause you.
We became friends with Jack and Donna Jo immediately after moving to Alabama in 1967. The four of us were busy raising children and trying to make ends meet financially for thirty years before we took our first trip together in 1997. Since that date we have traveled together to Alaska, New England, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Carolina, and even more exotic places like Egypt, Turkey, and Greece.
The four of us were on a trip to Maine and Prince Edward Island the week Jack and Donna Jo celebrated their 60th birthdays. Now it is ten years later, so we asked if they would like to take another trip with us to celebrate 70. We suggested a trip to Switzerland to visit the Alps and do some hiking in the area while we were all still able to engage in that type of activity. They thought it was a good idea, so plans were set in motion.
We told them that they could pack for the trip any way they chose, but we planned to backpack our travel items. Having traveled with them in the past, we could not imagine them traveling with backpacks instead of overstuffed suitcases.
“No! If we are going to go, we want to do it just like you do,” Donna Jo replied.
We were shocked. (“Who are you and what have you done with our friend Donna Jo?”)
We loaned them our spare backpacks, gave them some hints we had picked up in past trips, and sent them off to re-think the situation. They came back with more questions and determination to travel carrying only what would fit in their backpacks.
So…starting August 30, four travelers (all of whom will all turn 70 years old within the next 12 months) plan to fly to Switzerland and spend twelve days in the Alps, staying in bed and breakfasts, small hotels and rented rooms; hiking and enjoying the scenery, toting only the items we can carry on our backs. We definitely plan to carry a small computer so we can blog the trip, which should be a hilarious collection of mishaps involving senior citizens attempting to imitate people 50 years their junior.
So, if you are curious about how all of this is actually going to turn out, stay tuned. We will update this blog as we have opportunities and internet capabilities. To Bobby, Brenda, Billy, Barry, Bonny and Barbara Jo: We apologize ahead of time for any embarrassment we may cause you.
Embarrassment? No way!
ReplyDeleteInspirational? YES!
Anticipation? YES! Come on Aug 30!
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY y'all!
Thanks, Stacy. This is not the best time (for our family) for us to be gone, but the plans have been in the works quite a while, so we are going to try it.
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