Non-Adventurist Travel. 04/05/26

John actually walked the trail he drew in our comic, Sedona, part 2. You know, the one that said, “8 people have died on this trail this year.” Truth be known, that particular trail was in Zion National Park, not Sedona, but why quibble? You’ll get a good look at it next week. So how much adventure can you take, dear readers? I guess it all depends on who you are, how old you are, and how much physical risk you feel comfortable taking. Me, I see a sign that says, “8 people have died this year (doing exactly what the hell you’re about to do)” I’m outta there. Okay it didn’t really say the ‘doing what you’re doing’ part. I just threw that in. But to others, like John, it’s just a fun challenge. When you hit your 60’s (and in my case, 70’s, but who’s counting?) You can say to yourself, “We don’t have many years left when we can take physically demanding trips like this so let’s do it while we can.” That is my wife’s philosophy. And apparently John’s. For me, ehhh, it goes something like this: “We’re getting older. We did that adventure stuff when we were a little younger. See that thing over there? It’s called a beach chair. This thing over here? A book. My exercise will include setting up the chairs and umbrellas. Maybe walk a mile on the beach before jumping in the ocean (if the water is not too cold). Let the young whippersnappers get hypothermia while climbing Mt. Everest. If I walk 9 holes on a golf course while carrying my bag, I need oxygen for that. No way am I climbing a scary ridge with loose rocks, hiking up a rocky trail with 50 mph winds making you feel like you’re going to fall over, or going on a bike tour covering 30 miles per day. I’ve done those things, as Billy Joel once sang, “When I wore a younger man’s clothes.”

I think of vacation as a time to chill out from your day to day labors. To take a break. But in my case, a break from what? Eating? The comic takes work, but it takes John a lot longer since we both think them up, but he is the one that has to draw the ideas and color them. So I really can’t complain, but if I didn’t complain, I wouldn’t be me. So I’ll complain. Do you know how long it took to write this blog??? Woe is me. I need a break, as long as it doesn’t involve getting off the train one stop earlier in order to hike to Machu Picchu. The hike took at least 8 hours. It ended up with a downhill over wet rocks where I slipped three different times. It was a bit over 10 years ago. I dream about it often. In nightmares.

Have a great weekend. Happy Passover and Easter. I will be roughing it by playing a round of golf (but not carrying- in a cart).

Andy and John