Sunday, October 4, 2009

Travel With a Purpose




Ask any educator what they plan to do after they retire and the answer will most likely be, "Travel." It is our nature to want to see new places and learn. With a little structure and purpose, our trips will be much more fulfilling.

In the news this week was a story on NPR about the decision by Elderhostel to change its name to Exploritas. It seems that 70 is the new 60 and 60 is the new 50 and many Elderhostel customers were uncomfortable being associated with the elderly. James Moses, President of Elderhostel/Exploritas said this, "If you don't appeal to the baby boomers, you're pretty much done. I mean, let's face it."

Please check out the Exploritas website http://www.exploritas.org/ and their new social networking tool. Elderhostel was the first and best organization to foster active and positive roles for seniors in the United States and to encourage people to remain active after retirement.

There are many interesting ways to structure travel trips. Here are a few we have enjoyed in my family:
  • Visiting the National Parks
  • Driving, walking and/or hiking to the highest point in each state (there are clubs for this)
  • Touring the homes and buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
  • Birding by season and migratory paths
  • Visiting art museums by city or region
  • Taking the guided tours at the National Monuments and Battlefields

No matter how you choose to travel, there are great bargains to be found during the fall. I look forward to being able to visit some great places at times when kids are in school and I am not! I mean, let's face it!

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