“Grateful Americans will come to this shrine of quiet valor, this forge of our Republic’s iron core. Valley Forge symbolizes the spirit of sacrifice that made independence possible.”” President Ford, Independence Day 1976 Just one post this week as I am traveling around some patriotic stops on the East Coast. I often say that early retirement is like “kidadulthood”. That is, it gives you the … Continue reading 200th & 250th Birthday America
When we’re at our vacation place in Florida, it’s hard not to think about what the weather is like back home in Minnesota. Our son is there, our families are there, and our friends are there. Right now, the weather in MN is brutal. This morning will be -22° F. The afternoon high will be -10° F. Saturday will be only a little bit better. … Continue reading Snowbird ROI
We’re thinking of taking a couple of overseas trips in the next 12-14 months. We’ve wanted to get to Ireland for a few years and might go this Autumn. We also want to take the big flight to the Southern Hemisphere and experience Australia & New Zealand, which would likely be in early-2027, given the difference in seasons. We wouldn’t typically plan two big overseas … Continue reading Time To Get Going?
I’ve always been more “indoorsy” than “outdoorsy”. Growing up, I was more at home in the library than at a campfire. Still, early retirement gives you the time to try new things. Five years ago, a friend got me started on visiting MN state parks. Each year – usually in the autumn – I’ve gone on a road trip to visit & hike in a … Continue reading Unlikely Outdoorsman
It’s dark in Budapest 🇭🇺 now, but I just achieved a positive ROI on the Viking Cruise Line drinks package with my 15th frosty beverage in the ship’s bar & lounge. Like a lot of people, we got carried away coming on to the ship a week ago with the promise of unlimited drinks for the low price of 169 Euro 💶. Our math suggested … Continue reading Drinks Package Success
In Prague yesterday morning, a fellow commented that the city had been conquered 4 times in the last 500 years. First by the Habsburg Empire, then by the German Nazis, then by the Soviet Communists, and now by Viking Cruise Lines! It’s certainly true that the city seems like it’s been overrun by tourists groups doing pre- and post-trip extensions. The Charles Bridge and Easter … Continue reading European River Cruise
We’re over in Europe right now for a Danube River Cruise starting on Sunday. The trip includes stops in lovely Prague, romantic Vienna, and mysterious Budapest. Incidentals for the trip would have been a bit cheaper a month ago, before Trump’s trade strategy beat up the stock market, bond funds, and … the U.S. dollar. What was set to be our best exchange rate ever … Continue reading Euros & Europe
After writing ‘Two Of Everything’ a few weeks ago, I’m finding certain things I might even have THREE of between our main Minnesota home & snowbird place in Florida. Three warm jackets, three pairs of sunglasses, and three sizes of suitcases. Then, while I thought those things through, I discovered something I might even need FOUR of … a FOURTH collection of toiletry / shaving … Continue reading Four Of Everything?
We’re on the road this morning to visit my brother and his lovely wife in South Carolina. We’re leaving the Orlando area on the Florida Turnpike, one of the state’s many toll roads. Apparently Florida leads the country with about 720 miles of toll roads. The next 5 are TX, OK, NY, PA, and NJ. this is a bit of a new experience for us … Continue reading Terrific Toll Roads
There was a recent article in the Wall Street Journal talking about how expensive it has gotten to go to Walt Disney World. Friends have been asking me about it since we live a few miles from the World Drive Main Gate and go over there quite a bit. There’s no doubt the price of a trip to Walt Disney World has gone up, but … Continue reading Disney Comparison
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