JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I've been thinking and dreaming much about traveling lately. Part of that is usual for this time of year - as you may have gathered from Monday's conversation, January and February in Maine is no picnic. I've reached the point in life where, if I had more cash and fewer obligations, I would happily up stakes and seek out warmer climes in winter. But part of it, of course, is the fact that I (and most of the rest of the world) haven't been able to travel.
I've gone places, yes, absolutely. In the summer, when infection rates were down and we could all spend plenty of time out of doors, the girls and I drove to Norfolk to spend some time with the Sailor. I spent a week in the Philadelphia region with my dear friend Rachael. I went twice to my dad's place in upstate New York. It feels a bit like nineteenth century travel: trips to relations and close friends, nothing that takes more than a long day, and you stay at least a week.
I know I'm luckier than many during this pandemic. Honorary Red Celia Wakefield and her husband have barely been out of their house since last February. But still. I yearn for real travel. To head out for foreign climes and experience a new culture, eat new food, learn new things. Or to revisit favorite destinations from years past. I'm coming up with a list, dear readers, and I swear, I'm going to check each location off sooner or later (because if I don't I will really have wasted a lot of time looking up hotels, flights and lists of "best things to see and do." Where am I dreaming of?
1. Tahiti. Yes, I know it's cliche. But I also know it's 85F/29C today in Papeete, and along with white and ebony beaches, they have luxe resorts with swim-up bars. I don't pretend to be going to Tahiti for culture. I want to lay in the sun, splash in the water, and overindulge in coconut-flavored drinks.
2. New York City. So much closer that French Polynesia, but it feels as far away right now. In the Before Times, I went often enough that I kind of took it for granted. The last time I was in NYC was a little over a year ago. Youngest and I stayed at a funky hotel, saw an amazing Broadway show, ate Chinese and toured the UN (that last being her passion.) I want to do it all again.
3. The Winter Carnival in Quebec. As we noted, it's possible to enjoy cold weather when you're out and doing things. Le Carnaval de Québec has some aspects of New Orleans' Mardi Gras: parades, great food and drink, a jolly crowd - but with much less public emesis and nudity. (You can strip down to your bathing suit and take a snow bath with Bonhomme Carnaval, but that takes some real dedication.) Despite living only a five hour drive away - the same distance as New York - I've never been.
4. Kosovo and Albania. Youngest went to Kosovo in the summer of '19, and had so many wonderful experiences, it made me want to see it for myself. And I've been interested in Albania for some years now - the gorgeous Adriatic coast, the food (a delicious blend of Greek, Turkish and southern Slavic influences) and some of the best-preserved Roman sites in all Europe.
How about you, dear readers? What destinations are you dreaming of, in the days-to-hopefully-come when we can meet and mingle again?
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ReplyDeleteOh, just the thought of being able to travel has me dreaming of places to go! Hawaii sounds like a perfect destination, but seeing the girls and the grandbabies definitely tops my list of places to which I’d love to travel . . . .
ReplyDeleteJoan, when I was writing this, I thought of all the grandmothers at JRW who haven't been able to see their grandkids except through Zoom for a year. That really counts as the worst.
DeleteJulia, you have such great places on your list. My big trip I want to take is to England, with some time in London and then other parts. I know someone in London who is going to be my guide there. Then, Domenica De Rosa (Elly Griffiths) is going to show me her home ground Brighton, and author Lesley Thomson is going to show me around Leeds. I also plan on spending time in the country of Devon, where my Boone ancestors are from. Of course, I’ll have to include Cornwall, too. My London guide is from Yorkshire and wants to show me that. With the other can’t miss places in England, and wanting to dip my toe into Scotland, I figure I’ll need a month there.
ReplyDeleteBefore I go globetrotting though, I want to go see my son, only three hours away. I’ve missed him so. And, I want to spend time just going ordinary places with the granddaughters and daughter. I’ve even thought we all might take a trip, including my husband, who I haven’t forgotten. He and I have some traveling to plan,too, for his retirement years.
Your English trip sounds wonderful Kathy!
DeleteOh, my goodness, Kathy, someone should package your trip and market it. I can think of a lot of people who would jump at the chance to see England with great authors as your guides!
DeleteI would definitely do your English trip, Kathy! I have a good friend who's recently moved near Brighton, and I can't wait to visit her there.
DeleteThose all sound wonderful. I'd like to do the Ireland trip we had to cancel in May. Head back to my home state of California and spend quality and quantity time with my uncle, cousins, and college friends - a trip I was going to tack on after the Sacramento Bouchercon. Head south and visit my younger son in Puerto Rico - where I went in early March and got home at the last possible minute. Explore western Mass with my older son and his wife, unmasked - and be able to stay overnight. And then ther's Italt...
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to Hawaii, but I have spent a lot of time in Quebec City - you will love it, Julia!
Uh, Italy. Haven't had enough coffee yet.
DeleteWeirdly enough, considering how close it is, I've only been to Quebec City once. Ross took me to Chateau Frontenac for a romantic long weekend back when we were long-distance dating. I remember how much I loved the European feel of the place, and the wonderful food and wine.
DeleteDefinitely, I dream on travelling SOMEWHERE! I have not left Ottawa since flying back from the abruptly cancelled LCC in San Diego last March.
ReplyDeleteJULIA: Both Quebec City for Le Carnaval is a lot of fun, as is Ottawa's Winterlude festival (which is virtual this year). Finally, a 2.4 km section of the Rideau Canal Skateway is opening at 8 am TODAY. COVID-19 restrictions are in place, though (masked and no food/drinks or change rooms), but it will be fun to get back on the ice.
Here is a virtual view of the RIDEAU CANAL SKATEWAY to entice you:
https://www.facebook.com/NatGeoAdventure/videos/10156903156039826
HAWAII is also my go-to place to thaw out from an Ottawa winter. I have not been back to the Big Island since 2007 but I was in O'ahu in winter 2017 and 2019. Eating poke, food from the North Shore shrimp trucks and other yummy food was a definite highlight of being there. And the various hikes around the island were also challenging and views were stunning.
MY DREAM TRIPS would be NEW ZEALAND or going back to ICELAND, but this time in the summer.
New Zealand and Iceland on my list too Grace! I would love to go back to the Big Island, and then we could all visit Leslie Karst in Hilo!
DeleteROBERTA: Yes, let's go visit Leslie K. in Hilo! We would have epic meals together!!
DeleteI am all for anchoring trips around friends to visit!
DeleteEDITH: I agree it would be great to see friends in person on my next trip.
DeleteBouchercon 2021 in NOLA is my next scheduled trip. But I have NOT booked my travel yet mainly because Ottawa's health unit estimates the general population will not get the COVID-19 vaccine until AUGUST. Frankly, I am still not totally 100% after getting sick with COVID-19 last March so I won't take any unnecessary chances.
Absolutely agreed - I need to have friends on my travels, because it's not nearly as much fun going it alone. Although maybe my Tahiti trip... just me and ten or twenty books. If I feel the need for conversation, I'll chat up the bartender :-)
DeleteYes, come visit! And I promise we will eat very well, indeed!!
DeleteGRACE:
DeleteIt was wonderful to see you at the LCC in San Diego. I already left San Diego when they cancelled the conference. I already scheduled one night in San Diego.
Iceland is on my list of places to visit.
Diana
DIANA: Yes, it was lovely to see you (albeut briefly) in San Diego.
DeleteIceland was beautiful and (for me) a short plane trip than to the US West Coast.
LESLIE: Someone must have told you that we wanted to visit you in Hilo! My foodie twin.
(That was me!)
DeleteMy current actual travel list includes North Dartmouth, MA (for the BJ's club, the Barnes and Noble and the Newbury Comics), New Bedford, MA (for New England Comics, Purchase Street Records and the now very rare doctor's appointment), Fairhaven, MA (for the 99 restaurant (not so much recently though) and the magazine store Newsbreak and Mattapoisett, MA so I can pay a particular bill in person.
ReplyDeleteAny other out and about activities occur within the borders of my gawdforsaken hellhole of a town.
But for FANTASY travel, it shall ever be Ireland, Scotland, England and Hawaii. None of these will ever happen thus the billing of them as fantasies.
I'm a great believer in fantasy trips, Jay! Thus, Tahiti.
DeleteAll enticing trips! I would go on any one of them! I've been hankering to see more of Alaska, to return to Hawaii (any island but 3 or 4 would be amazing). Irwin has never been to Greece or to Italy. We usually do nature travel but a Silver Sea cruise would do, too. I have always wanted to go to Tahiti and also to New Zealand to visit the places where they filmed Lord of the Rings. Sigh. But first, first, first Beverly, Massachusetts and Lewes, Delaware for some in person hugs and loves.
ReplyDeleteJudy, I think a lot of us will make those first trips to unexceptional destinations where loved ones live!
DeleteBeam me over to somewhere -- anywhere -- warm! I'll take Hawaii for that, never been there. I'd love a good long stretch in the UK: visit relatives around England, up to Scotland (oh that countryside) and over to Ireland, where I've never been. Wales would need a visit, and I would channel Fiona Griffiths (from Harry Bingham's series) as my guide. For big cities, I would choose New York and Chicago, and San Francisco, too -- never been there or Chicago, and only dipped in and out of NYC.
ReplyDeleteBut, like so many of you, first FAMILY! I would head to Edmonton, Alberta to visit my mum. We usually have two 'girls weekends' a year plus July at our cottage here on Lake Winnipeg, but none of that has happened, of course, this past year.
In the meantime, I've been traveling in my mind: https://fiveyearsawriter.blogspot.com/2021/01/walking-and-packing.html
Amanda, I love your plans for a trip to a French chateau! That's exactly what I've been doing - planning where I'd go, what I'd pack, how I'd get there. It's not real travel, but boy, it gives you a lift... and I indulge in "no expenses barred," which is definitely NOT the case in real life. ;-)
DeleteAh, Quebec City! When the border opens that's tops on our list. We were married there, and we planned to celebrate our 15th anniversary there last May. Foiled by the pandemic! Late spring might be a bit soon, vaccination-wise, but we hope to make it to La Belle Province sometime in 2021.
ReplyDeleteAs for other dreamed-of place, mark me down for Ireland and Scotland, last year's big trip that was grounded along with Aer Lingus. We're thinking 2022.
I won't but in on an anniversary celebration, but otherwise, if you and Diane want a traveling companion, I'm great at reading maps and my French is... adequate!
Delete: )
DeleteThe Hubby and I made a list of "places we want to go when we have the money." They include an Alaskan cruise, the Grand Canyon (and that area in general), and Italy, specifically Rome and Tuscany.
ReplyDeleteI love your list, Liz. One of the great things about planning fantasy trips is that your budget isn't as limited - so you should throw in a helicopter trip to Denali, Las Vegas and Venice!
DeleteTop priority is the kids, scattered between DC, New Orleans, and Houston. Next up: our postponed 2020 trip to Paris and the Dordogne. Greece. Iceland. New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteAt least two out of three of your kids' cities are genuine vacation destinations in and of themselves, so good work, Hamiltons. I need to remember to encourage my offspring to settle in places I'll want to visit. Ooo, maybe the Sailor will get stationed at Pearl Harbor...
DeleteJulia, your pictures are so gorgeous and very enticing.
ReplyDeleteQuebec City is beautiful and Le Carnaval de Québec is fun, both for the outside activities and the inside warming.
During the cold season, I’m always hankering for warm islands, Hawaii would be good.
I’ve been interested in Iceland for some times, it could be next.
I think those if us living in cold climates always hanker for tropical sunshine this time of year, Danielle. I have the Tahiti picture on my desktop, so I can look at it and sigh.
DeleteJULIA: I agree with you are about the allure of tropical (or warm) climes while living in a winter wonderland. I did not feel the need to go on a warm winter vacation while living in Toronto, but after having endured several Ottawa winters, I get it!
DeleteDANIELLE: Iceland was warmer than Ottawa in winter. Despite its name, there was NO SNOW or ICE on the ground in Reykjavik during my two trips in February/March. It was also 15-20 degrees warmer than Ottawa (i.e. high was +2C instead of -15 to -17C).
We actually have a long weekend trip planned. In late March we are driving to Philadelphia, about 5-6 hours, and meeting my grandson and his wife and new baby! We have reserved a two bedroom suite near Valley Forge, with a full kitchen although we'll will probably be ordering take out except for breakfast. The younger set have never been to Philly, so I expect we will do some driving tourism. By that time I hope both Julie and I will be vaccinated, and Ally, mother of Finn, already is -- She is a PA in the Duke system. Yes we are nervous, but we will be very careful. The weather may well be spring by then although I'm not holding my breath. Between now and then we will all be very careful to avoid exposure, have groceries at curbside no contact pickup, no unnecessary trips out in public, etc. I don't even buy green bananas, so seeing my first great grandchild is my highest priority. I'd love to see the grands in Texas, not to mention my sons and daughter, but that's not likely to happen before fall at the earliest.
ReplyDeleteMy fantasy travel? Another driving trip thru the south of France as soon as this plague is under control. Yes I know. Fantasy.
On another topic, have I mentioned that Catriona McPherson dedicated her new book, THE MAGIC DANCE, to Julie and me? I still can't believe it!
Ann, that is so exciting - both the trip to see your first great-grandchild and the book dedication! What special things to cherish.
DeleteWell, 2020 was to have brought my long-awaited trip to Britain, focused mostly on London, Oxford, and the areas where they shoot Midsomer Murders. So that's still high on my list. Others on the list are Rome and other parts of Italy, and Ireland. On this side of the pond, I too want to visit Quebec City. I'm also pining to re-visit New Orleans and Rocky Mountain National Park. I'm not usually a beach person, but I will admit my covid binge watching of Murder in Paradise has left me curious about the island of Guadalupe, where it is filmed.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I'm the only member of my family who would happily spend my whole vacation on a beach. My kids are more like you - they want to do and see stuff when they travel.
DeleteWe use Maui as that type of vacation. The condo has a cabana right in the beach with sun protection or not and a full kitchen where you can store and prepare food. We spend all day there relaxing, enjoying the water and reading our books. Fairly private beach on the other side of Black Rock. It also has great snorkeling, whale watching and you see a lot of turtles. View is of Lanai and Molokai.
DeleteItaly, Spain, Greece, Croatia. I've been dreaming of summery, sunny, sleepy wanderings in Mediterranean or Adriatic seaside villages, Aperol Spritzes at cafes on balmy evenings while watching the social life of the community take place in the square. It's funny, usually I like remote destinations, but after Covid I want to watch people! And be warm! And drink fun cocktails! These are great destinations. I love Quebec City in winter. I've been missing Quebec a lot, as it's so close to us here in VT and yet I am thwarted by the closed border.
ReplyDeleteSarah, let's have Matt watch the kids and you and I can go someplace warm to watch people and indulge in silly drinks with umbrellas.
DeleteI am so there. Say the word. I'm sure Matt won't mind. If we both set our next books in a sunny locale, maybe we can write it off!
DeleteYes to all of the above.
DeleteOh, I am SWOONING...
DeleteDear Julia, Thanks for thinking of us. I am missing our vid cooking sessions remembering the skinless chicken, and what else did we cook? Oh, shortbread, now a staple in this pandemic time.Victor and I are fine, possibly a little bored with each others company, and I a so tired of thinking of dinner. I do it when I wake up and through the day until I finally find something that I think I might like. But on travel, SIGH,I must admit I love your list and would love to go along with you. I want to take my grand boys on Safari; so much poaching of the Big 5 in Africa, so sad. Where else? Well a trip home, that is home as in Cornwall. While I was born in London, my roots yearn for Cornwall. Perhaps that's why we live now in Maine. I'm sure the two were joined at some point. I know I am so lucky having seen so much of the world, but I want an European cruise, or to tour the pastry shops of Paris, a Greek Island at sunset with a drink, oh and back to Malaysia, wow such food. I'll go away now, I'm making myself hungry.
ReplyDeleteCelia, one of the greatest trips of my life was a photo safari through Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Definitely deserves a place on anyone's bucket list. (And the food was amazing, too!)
DeleteJulia,
DeleteThanks for reminding me. I would love to visit Botswana with Alexander McCall Smith's tour group.
Diana
Celia,
DeleteI would love to visit the Greek Islands.
Diana
Ah, yes, how timely, travel dreams. We actually decided recently to start planning some, hoping it would cheer us up in these claustrophobic times. For various reasons, Cornwall looks more and more attractive as a low-stress, beautiful, interesting, perfect trip. Rent a car at Heathrow and head west. (Husband is a fearless driver and has driven in British Isles before). So many mentions of Quebec Winter Carnival - we were there! Growing up in the snow belt of upstate NY, we were missing real winter. It was great fun and very special, almost magical at some moments. Midnight ice skating, crazy Calgary cowboys, fairy tale ice palace. Lots and lots of New Englanders there.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear it lived up to its reputation, Triss! Ross and I talked about going, but it always fell a little before our schools' midwinter break, which, between his teaching job and the kids' schedules, meant it would have been a BIG pain. It's definitely moved up on my list!
DeleteI can no longer afford to travel but I can still dream! I would love visit all of California, the mountains, the beaches, the deserts. And as someone with a degree in English, a trip to Great Britain would be a trip to the Mother Ship!
ReplyDeleteDebRo
Most of my travel plans fall under the heading of daydreams as well, DebRo - at least as long as I have a kid in college and a 200 year old house that ALWAYS needs work!
DeleteBeyond my usual England, Scotland and Norway dreams, I would like to take a cross country train trip. I've seen some interesting trips through Canada but I think I should see some of my own country first. I've never been a sun and fun person, too many sunburns in my past but wouldn't mind a trip the a beautiful island where I could sit on a shady veranda and watch the water and hear it gently lapping on the shore at night.
ReplyDeleteDeana, when my husband was in the Air Force, he took a cross country rail trip across the US, up the Pacific Coast, and then into British Columbia. He often said it was one of the great traveling experiences of his life.
DeleteHaving been confined to home for almost a year now our first trip will be back to our house in Arizona where we normally spend winters. This will. One after second vaccine shot. Then hopefully in the summer back to England and France.
ReplyDeleteRhys,
DeleteCornwall is on my list of places that I want to visit in England.
Diana
Fingers crossed for a speedy jab in the arm, Rhys!
DeleteHusband and I both get our second shots in February so we'll probably hit the road and go somewhere. This house is getting too crowded for me! I'd like to head east to Lexington, VA and do some more house hunting. I wouldn't mind finding a place on the Atlantic coast either but Husband is strongly opposed to that: global warming, more storms, blah blah blah. As for international travel I think he'd like to do a river cruise in Europe or a small ship cruise in Alaska. I'd like to wander some more in Scotland and see some of the English countryside. I haven't made it out of London yet. France and Belgium are also calling. I would love a Nile cruise with stops at historic hotels and archeological sites. And I've seen some tours in Morocco that look really appealing. I'd happily go back to Spain and see more of it. One issue is being able to travel places not on a tour without renting a car. I had good luck with the one tour I've been on but I don't want to travel that way exclusively in the future. Our Scotland trip was planned and Husband did not have to do any driving. It was a relief to both of us.
ReplyDeleteEuropean River cruises are amazing!
DeleteOf course I want to go to England!!! London! Earl's Court, Notting Hill, Portobello Market, Bloomsbury, all my stomping grounds. Sigh. I just hope I don't have to wait until 2022.
ReplyDeleteDeborah, I love England, though I am apprehensive about visiting after the Brexit stuff. With the anti foreign feelings, is it safe for Americans to visit? I loved the beautiful gardens in London. Kensington Palace Gardens. Hyde Park. Seeing Peter Pan statue in the park (I forgot which park). I would love to visit the Warner Bros. Harry Potter museum.
DeleteIF everyone cooperates, which is quite a tall order, in following the rules - MASK, washing hands, And Social distance of 6 feet, then perhaps we will Not have to wait until 2022.
The other day when I had to go out, I saw almost everyone wearing masks. One homeless person was NOT wearing a mask. A couple walking their dog were NOT wearing masks.
Diana
Diana, I'm happy to report in my area of rural Maine, I usually see people wearing masks. The exceptions are ALWAYS men. Picture me rolling my eyes.
DeleteJulia, to my surprise, there are some women NOT wearing masks either!
DeleteI need to do some research in a castle in England, I'm not picky, any castle will do. Also, there's research to be done on Martha's Vineyard. But for me, personally, I want to go back to our cottage in Nova Scotia, then the dudes and I want to tour Japan, and lastly, a nice beach chair in Hawaii sounds about right. Come on 2021. Get it together.
ReplyDeleteJenn,
DeleteThey all sound wonderful! I visited Glamis Castle in Scotland where Princess Margaret Rose was born. I think many castles in England are open to the public for tours as part of the National Trust. I would love to visit MV some day.
Diana
It's going to be interesting to see if people are reticent about going out in the world, or if there's a tremendous travel boom from pent-up demand after we all get vaccinated!
DeleteJulia, I have a feeling that when the pandemic is over, if people have the money, then there will be a tremendous travel boom.
DeleteDiana
Since I'm currently living in Hawai'i, my dream vacations are elsewhere: Istanbul and Alexandria (Egypt, not VA) are both on my bucket list, as are Montreal and India. And I dearly want to go back to Oxford, England, where I lived for a year when I was sixteen. What would I do in these places? Walk, eat, walk, eat some more, and then head to a bar/pub.
ReplyDeleteLESLIE: That is my kind of vacation: walk, eat, walk, eat some more, lol.
DeleteAgreed! Leslie, you have to come along on any Jungle Red Rambles!
DeleteSome place tropical sounds wonderful about now. Although I've got to say I'm kind of looking forward to our rain storm this afternoon. We haven't had one in a while, and I don't have to go out at all since I'm working from home. Let it pour! (And it is supposed to. 1.5 inches this evening.)
ReplyDeleteMark, there's something very pleasurable about observing inclement weather while snug inside, knowing you don't have to step out for anything.
DeleteJulia,
ReplyDeleteI hae been meaning to ask if there is the tradition of hygge in Maine? That is how the Scandinavians deal with cold weather.
Dreams of travel include: Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon; Martha's Vineyard where everyone spoke Sign Language (at least they did up to 1950), Quebec in Canada, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island (Anne of Green Gables), Scotland, Gigha Island, Ireland, Wales, England, Scandinavia, Belgium/Holland, Spain and France.
Diana
Diana, I wouldn't say there's a tradition, but most Mainers I know have embraced hygge with a vengeance. When we could still visit each other indoors, my friends and I usually brought our own warm slippers, and the host always provided enough cozy blankets for everyone!
DeleteJulia, that sounds lovely.
DeleteAnyplace warm right now. Dream trip is any reader/fan convention.
ReplyDeleteReader/fan convention in the US Virgin Islands, where it's 80F/27C and sunny this afternoon. Oh, yes.
DeleteI agree
DeleteYes, please. I love my home, but it's beginning to get a leetle claustrophobic.
ReplyDeleteFirst place I will go is to see my daughter in Portland, because I've not seen her except in a Zoom box for a whole year now. Next, probably to Kenya, because our daughter there cannot wait to show us around. And I'd really like to go to Bouchercon in NOLA this year and see all your dear faces.
We've been hoping to do some long car trips, including to a lot of Canada, from the Maritimes to the Northwest Territories, and down through the Southwest. And to the UK, to visit my stepsis, and get our fill of the British Isles.
This list may take awhile!
Karen, I'd love to do Bouchercon this year, but the current vaccination estimate in Maine for "Everybody else" - the group to which I belong - is this fall. An August B'con just sounds very dicey to me. I hope I'm proven wrong.
DeleteI'm registered for Bouchercon in NOLA, but have strong doubts I'll make it. Julia, like you, my vaccination estimate is "who the hell knows."
DeleteKaren, Julia and Annette: I am in the same boat. I am registered for Bouchercon but the current timeline fOttawa vaccines is August, so it is pretty dicey whether I can get the shots in time.
DeleteKaren,
DeleteI would love to go to Bouchercon and I think it is more likely that I can go to the conference next year. And I would love to go to Malice Domestic this year but I have a feeling that all of the mystery conferences in 2021 will be Virtual.
Diana
Honestly, right now, I'd be happy with a long weekend at Lake Erie. I have dreams of returning to New Orleans for Bouchercon, but the vaccination shortage is making that look like a pipedream. I miss my second home in New Mexico and hope to get there later in the year, as well as visiting my friends in Florida. But if I were to dream big, I'd have to say Tuscany. (Right now, I'm sitting in my Pennsylvania log cabin, where I've been for over a year, looking out at wind-whipped snow.)
ReplyDeleteOh, all those choices are perfect! I just want to eat in a bustling restaurant. In Paris or Tuscany or Nevis, all the better. See Broadway open again. Ahh. But now, it's even transporting to see all of your suggestions!
ReplyDeleteHank,
DeleteI went to this wonderful restaurant in Paris, France. Yummy food.
Diana
Ah, travel... Yes, yes, I so want to travel again! We did go to a cabin in Appalachia this past summer for an extended weekend for hiking, pontoon boating and a wee bit of fishing. And then we went to another cabin in Tennessee to meet up with family (adults who had, like us, quarantined for the weeks before meeting, and we tested negative for COVID ahead of time!) for Thanksgiving. All of which was lovely, but I'm longing for other forms of travel.
ReplyDeleteYes, Bouchercon! We used to live in New Orleans, so I'd love to go back--but as everyone else has said, who knows. I'm definitely not traveling anywhere like that until I've had a vaccine, and it's also safer in general for one and all. But--fingers crossed.
Dreaming big: Hawaii--maybe this coming Christmas? To meet up with our daughter who lives so far away that Hawaii is literally a half-way meeting point from our spot in the Midwest? That would be nice. It's been more than a year since we've seen her!
Iceland. My husband and I have planned for years to visit there, and planned to go this summer... but that's going to wait awhile.
Mexico. I've been watching too many episodes of International House Hunters, and several episodes in small cities in Mexico have made me intrigued with visiting Mexico--other than Cancun. (Which I've been to, and is lovely for beaches etc., but not what I'm after in this vision.)
And... well, really anywhere! I've enjoyed reading all your spots and want to go to all of them!