Madeline and I have known each other as long as we can remember. In high school we dated but broke up after graduation. We went our separate ways, married and raised families. Thirty years later, we reunited and have been together ever since.
We started traveling together in 1999. In 2005, we married. Together we’ve lived in Chicago, Minneapolis and Dallas. Currently our home base is Denton, Texas, just north of Dallas. There are many reasons why we travel, but the most important is spending time together.
Our Travel History
Madeline and I travel—a lot! Both our parents wanted to travel more. My parents died earlier than expected so they traveled primarily in their 40s, and it was generally within the U.S. to see family or for business conferences. Sometimes I went along but not always. They did go to Europe together but after their health deteriorated, they couldn’t travel. They always wanted travel more later in life but neither of them got the chance.
Madeline’s parents also planned most of their travel for their golden years. Her dad was a traveling salesman for most of his life but still took road trips with his wife and daughter. They always found a nice hotel or motel with a pool or something fun to do for their child. Later, Madeline’s parents did some traveling, mainly to Hawaii and Alaska on a cruise. They also went on a guided tour group of Europe, where they visited several countries and associated attractions on a bus with hotel stays. They also took road trips with their grandchildren to points of interest across America. However, they said the golden years were not so golden because they were both tired.
What We’re About
This blog is not just about travel—it’s about traveling as you get older. There are many names for it these days: mature travel, boomer travel, senior travel. Perhaps you are traveling with a mobility issue or other disability. Traveling with challenges can make the road ahead more difficult.
This blog is not just about travel—it’s about traveling as you transition through the three primary stages of travel: 1) Go Go; 2) Slow Go; and 3) No Go.
We’re at the end of the Go Go years and looking straight at Slow Go phase. If you’re in the Go Go years, you might have a few travel questions:
- How can I maximize my limited vacation time?
- Can travel with children be educational and entertaining for them?
- Where should I go for a quick romantic trip?
- Where do I start to find unique places and how to enjoy them?
- Can I take an affordable trip but be pampered, too?
- Before I go, how can I learn about the history and culture of where I’m going?
- How can I see the best attractions on a budget?
- How do I stay at a nice hotel without breaking my budget?
- Is it possible to fly long distance affordably and with comfort?
- What travel essentials should I bring with you on your journey?
- What can I read or watch to get ready for my trip?
We’ve had the same questions during our Go Go years. We’ve learned a lot in our travels, and we want to pass along our recommendations to Go Go travelers, particularly those who are just getting started.
In the Slow Go years, you probably have more money and more time. You might be retired. If you’re not retired, you’ve probably earned a lot of vacation time. Those in the Slow Go years have more time to travel.
- While you have many of the same questions as a Go Go traveler, you might have other concerns:
- What are the best tour companies where I’m going?
- Should I consider a cruise to maximize my experience?
- How do I get the best price on airlines, cruises, rental cars?
- Do I get any discounts because I am older?
- If I have mobility concerns, what resources will help me in my travels?
- How can I complete travel items on my bucket list?
Sound like you? We recognize these questions because we are transitioning to the Slow Go phase. We’ve learned quite a bit about travel by traveling. (And I worked as CIO of a travel company!). We want to share our knowledge with you so you can have great travel experiences.
The Slow Go years have many other names these days: mature travel, boomer travel, senior travel. Perhaps you are traveling with a mobility issue or other disability. Traveling with challenges can make the road ahead more difficult. We want to cover the basic three stages of travel as we age.
For more information, Start Here.