Traveling Man

If you know the Curmudgeon, you know that I like to travel. Personally, I love visiting new places, meeting new people, seeing local wonders, touring wineries, distilleries, and breweries. Please note that the last three are signs of either aging or alcoholism.

Sadly, the Covid19 invasion has caused the cancellation of three trips so far this year. New experiences were lost and exchanged for staycations where I got to meet my honeydew list and shake hands with tools I’d long forgotten I owned. Rather than taking tours of various bottlers of alcoholic beverage I made trips to the local liquor store with increasing frequency that I hope is only the sign of an old man sweating through manual labor. Thank God for the great taste of sudsy refreshments after a job half done! I am “retired” after all.

Well the yard looks pretty good. The garden is planted and growing. The winter inside projects are finally finished – albeit a good two months after the indoor project period ended. So now before the canning season begins, is it finally time to go places?

Normally I don’t like to travel to resort locations at the peak of summer vacation time. I wonder how full of wild and untamed children will those places be this year? If my observations of my neighborhood are any indication most will be full to their limited or unlimited capacity. Curmudgeon favored summer adult destinations such as the Summer North American Bridge Championships and regional bridge tournaments have been cancelled. Maybe a weekend trip to a local Native American Casino? Poker anyone?

Of course, there is still a pandemic going on. A trip to the grocery store checkout where I must wait for the cashier to wipe down the conveyor belt before I can off load my cart never fails to remind me.

So, do I really want to travel?   Heck yes!

Right after the grocery store, I’ll travel across the parking lot and grab me another case of beer. Guess I’m beginning to understand why my mom used to always seem to have a new bottle of brandy open when I came to visit. This Bud’s for you mom!