[PRCo] Re: gas and travel

[Fred Schneider]

Back in the days when you could hand your luggage to the guy at the  
curb and walk onto the plane with carry-on, and have people smile at  
you, I liked flying.   Today I fly if I have to cross a large body of  
water that my car doesn't ford easily.

I am also not particularly fond of Amtrash because I can remember  
what train travel was like in the days of the Best and Only and when  
the Southern Served the South (and its customers).   The Southern's  
diners were as fine as any four-start restaurant I've ever had the  
pleasure of patronizing.   The B&O behaved like it wanted it's  
people.  The Erie Lackawanna did not expire for Lack of Wanta.   They  
ran a spit and polish operation on the "Lake Cities" to the last  
day.   Even as bad as the Pennsy was, I would give it three starts  
and Amtrak minus five.

I'm retired now.   I like the idea of a native American restaurant in  
North Dakota or a Ukranian eating emporium in Manitoba.  I savor my  
memories of sitting with a sandwich among the pine trees beside the  
waters of Lake Tahoe or watching the mountain goats at salt lick in  
Montana.   The world is just too rushed.   It's a lot nicer to just  
wander for a few weeks.

I don't plan on stopping at several places along the way John.  I  
plan on not having plans, period.  You prepay the light and gas and  
water bills for several months, but a couple of thousand extra  
dollars in the Visa and American Express accounts to cover what you  
might charge in the first month plus a cushion of 25%, stop the mail,  
and walk out the door.

The worst vacation I ever had was the one when my wife needed  
reservations all over France.   I had to plan the entire vacation for  
three weeks in advance.   Then I had to spend each evening on the  
telephone rearranging motels because she wanted to spend an extra day  
somewhere or this chateau wasn't interesting and we should go on.    
The best vacation is one with no plans.   (Yes, John, I know ...  
vacations without plans and wives cannot be uttered in the same  
sentence.)

On Jul 28, 2008, at 11:14 AM, John Swindler wrote:

>
> Hi Fred
>
> It's only worth driving if one plans on stopping at several places  
> on the way.  As a retiree, there is a lot to be said for that.
>
> If in a hurry and not wanting to "burn off" vacation days, then a  
> flight becomes the option.  It's not worth the effort to figure the  
> cost down to the penny.  Flying is a lot cheaper for just two  
> stops.  I'd also check Amtrak, but only for the ambiance.
>
> I saw a website today offering hotel discounts - it might have been  
> 30%.  It was also offering discount weekend getaways this summer,  
> advising people to travel outbound on a Thursday and return on  
> Monday or Tuesday.  Cheaper airfares.
>
> John
>
>