On The Fly

Up the Rhône by Patrick Ball We booked a fine cruise up the Rhône — what a treat! With iPhones, lanyards, and schedules so neat. They promised us peace and a mind that would mend, But each calm beginning had chores at the end! "Now breakfast at seven! At eight, take the view!" At nine, there's a lecture on ' What Tourists Do!' At noon, there's a tasting (you must love the cheese), Then hurry to nap time — as corporate decrees! I followed that plan till my patience ran dry. The Rhône softly chuckled, "Oh my, oh my, my! You've missed half my sparkles, my ripples, my tone— You're busy pretending you've peacefully grown!" So I fired my planner and banished my clock. I tossed my agenda right off the dock! I let the wind tickle my schedule away, and drifted through hours that danced where they may. I chatted with swans, had no notion of when, I'd nibble, or nap, or go roaming again. No Wi-Fi! No meetings! No planning! No fuss! Just me and ...

Podcast - Cruise Vacation . Memorial Day is just days away, May 31, 2021. The beginning of summer vacations. Have you thought about what your summer vacation will look like this year? Some of you may opt for a cruise ship vacation. Now, I'll be candid here, a cruise vacation? I'm not too sure about all this. For readers of this blog, our holidays always involved hiking the mountains, bicycling, driving cross country, exploring, and physical activity. Our Jersey neighbors had convinced us we needed a "real" vacation. Time for relaxation; live music, Broadway shows, wandering the ship, people watching, enjoying the majestic scenery, and pampering. Allow me to take you back to June 2013. "Good evening, Patrick and Lori. Did you have a fabulous day?" says our head waiter AJ as Charles, the assistant waiter pours our drinks. "Tonight, the chef recommends the lobster tail. We begin with a fresh seafood salad, prawns, shrimp, and mussels. Of course, you'r...