2020

I’m over this. Really over this. I’ve done the hunker bunker thing, eating my way though drawer organization, until I feel like a chunker clunker.

Social media provided a platform for people to brag about their safer at home accomplishments. Closets purged, honey-do lists crossed off, cleaning of areas until this where practically unknown to clean. Yea, I did that, too. The giant white board of projects for my guy and me to accomplish looms in the corner like a unsolved crime inspiration board. I’m happy to report most are marked off, but I keep adding to the suspects.

Let’s see....some personal favorites. I organized my greeting cards and matched them with their rogue envelopes. I emptied multiple tubs of newspaper clippings that had followed me from place to place. I called far-flung friends and actually talked to them. I got my Credentials of Ministry and was honored to perform two weddings. I binge watched The Tiger King. I took my suitcase out for a walk. I burned huge piles of downed trees and limbs....23 fires to be exact. And I wrote the word cancelled on my calendar. CANCELLED....as in, ‘it ain’t happenin’ this year’. I have written that word more times than I have in the past 20 years. Sniff.

For those whose life that was mostly inconvenienced, Covid19 will be a time of grocery pick-up and social hiatus. For those whose life had a major shift to include work and school from the house, the safer at home experience has been, perhaps, stressful but memorable. For those of us who feel like we’ve had everything ripped from us, our source of income, the ability to use our talents, and even our identity, 2020 will certainly be remembered as a year of loss.

It is a bit ironic that 2020 was the year we were blindsided. 2020 was the year we lost our vision. The buzz words “the new normal,” and “reopening” have no definition, we are in the dark. Walking blind in 2020.

This Good to Go travel girl swings from positive to positively devastated, sometimes in the same 60 seconds. The travel experts are all chiming in with their opinions of what the public will do in the future, but the future, which starts later today, is about you, our clients. YOU are driving the bus on this one. What YOU think. What YOU want to do. What YOU feel is comfortable.  WE will be ready when YOU are ready is our mantra.

“Jesus take the wheel.” I’m praying it’s sooner rather than later in 2020.

I Gotta Get Outta Here

Last Sunday was Mother’s Day. It will be added to the list of events that due to Covid19 and social distancing, we had to change up our traditions. Birthdays, weddings, graduations, births and deaths haven’t been given the celebrations/memorials that were expected. We will remember 2020 as the year we were blindsided. 2020, we lost vision of normal. 2020, we couldn’t see. We are waiting as individuals, country and world to come out of the dark. We all know that most things will be different. We just don’t know how or when
 

As a travel girl, I’m getting pretty restless. There are just so many days I can  organize drawers and find honey-dos for my guy. I run my fingers over the zippers of my luggage. I stare, with desire, at my travel map. I see blank spots in the world that need pins and I need to get there while I’m still Good to Go. This must sound a bit sappy to some, but compare it with playing golf, or watching sports, or having lunch with girlfriends. THIS is what I do. THIS has been the thing that I miss.

I eased back out into the world this week. Connie, a long time friend who is also a tour director and a traveler, went with me. We packed our wet wipes, hand sanitizers and masks and took off on a road trip. We have an upcoming two day-trip to Arrow Rock, Missouri and we hadn’t been there prior. She had once seen a sign for Blackwater, Missouri and we hadn’t been there, either. So we went.

We were honestly giddy with anticipation. The green of the grass seemed more intense; we talked about Ireland. The flowering trees and blooms in beds around houses and fences were full of color; we chatted about gardens we’d visited. People were happy and smiling; we discussed past travelers that needed a “kick in the hiney.” We were absolutely thrilled to be out in the world; it was pouring rain. We did not care and it certainly wasn’t going to keep us home or dampen our spirits.

We knew that nothing was going to be open on our adventure, but we could make some decisions about the timing and good places to T.E.O. (Tinkle Every Opportunity) We knew we could see and assess the attractions that we were to visit in September, even if it was from the street. You know, we could do what we do. We did.

We rolled into Blackwater, population 155, and fell in love with this movie-setting of a town. From the old fashioned farm windmill in the center of town to the depot outside of town (the next block) this was a living postcard. We scampered from closed store to closed store, looking in. We walked every street and took pictures. We met the wine distributor. He knew people. He got us in. The manager of the beautiful  Iron Horse Hotel and Restaurant was as glad to see us and talk group travel. She graciously toured us through this historic treasure with its quaint nine rooms. Connie and I fantasized a group of ladies doing the same.

We cruised a few miles to Arrow Rock, population 57.  The entire village has been designated a National Historic Landmark through its association with Westward Expansion and the Santa Fe Trail. One shop keeper had her lovely gift shop doors open and we eased in. Her hospitality was as strong as the fragrances of the soaps and lotions filling her shelves....awaiting a buyer. We visited with a protective plastic shield between us about how we small businesses were to survive this. We chatted about the need and desire to buy American made products.  I overheard her placing an order and counting her expenses. I made a small purchase. I want her to be there when we go back.

It was a wonderful day to be out and about. Cold, rainy, hardly anything was open. It was wonderful. We got lost on a detour and now we don’t have to do that on with our motor coach. Sigh

Check out our video blog on the Good to Go Face Book or website to see some pictures, or better yet, join us on the tour.

I’m READY to GO!

I packed my overnight bag to go with the Much Older Sister to niece Jena Beth’s home to help with some flower planting, etc. My job as the GREAT aunt is to entertain the 18-month-old tot. I have to admit it was nice to have an audience again. I don’t usually have to resort to the belly button raspberries to get a laugh, but as we say in show biz, “Gotta give ‘em what they want, and leave ‘em wanting more!” It always works to pass a little time.
 

I was almost giddy packing my toothbrush and PJs. Keep in mind this was just overnight in Tulsa, but you would have thought it was the Maldives. I haven’t had drawers in a bag since February 15 when we got home from Peru and the Galapagos. For a Good to Go Girl, a blank calendar is not only very sad, but one with “cancelled” over much-anticipated trips is down-right depressing.

On that trip home from Peru, I remember my ring of the Peruvian Cross feeling tight and I pulled it off and dropped it in my travel purse. I didn’t think about it until a couple weeks into hunker bunker as I hadn’t had a reason to carry a purse or wear jewelry. I started looking for my ring. I went through every pocket and zippered pouch-came up empty-handed. When I pulled out my travel toiletry bag this week, guess what I found? It was a little present that added to my happiness. Maybe we should always leave a little something in our luggage to surprise us.

I’m not the only one ready to get traveling. I’m probably not the only one reading articles about what to expect when the crisis dust settles a bit and we are ready to hit the road. The one thing we are certain of is there is alot of speculating out there (read: guessing) and so much will remain to be seen. Here are a few things that I think might come to pass.

The big money opinion guys are thinking that domestic; within the USA destinations are going to be desirable. Historically when a crisis or tragedy occurs, Americans get a bit sentimental, patriotic and celebrate traditionally. We might not see huge numbers returning to places where there are crowds, but folks will continue “comforting” themselves in feel-good destination especially if Red, White and Blue. (Check out the Made In America trip set for August as this fits that travel desire perfectly!)

As airlines take travelers to the skies again, expect flight attendants to be wearing masks and gloves and refreshment service to be very limited if at all. Some airlines are already rolling out their passengers travel kits that include a mask to be issued to all fliers. We may see temperatures taken at check-in and those showing signs of illness will not be allowed to board. 2/3 is the number that I’m hearing of what airplane capacity will be. Wahoo! No middle seat assignment! But it will be a supply and demand market. I have my fingers crossed for some cheap flights just like you do, but we will see.

The Much Older Sister ran into the Sam’s Club while in Tulsa. She reported everything had been rearranged. The asiles were running a different direction, and she couldn’t find or figure things out. I expect our travel may be like that. It’s all there somewhere, but looks different. We just need to figure it out. 

Let’s go together. Remember I’m good for a little entertainment to pass the time!

Happy Birthday, Covid-19 Style

Well. That was something.
 

I had a birthday this week. It’s OK if you feel you missed it, because I typically celebrate a week or so. My family says it’s “or so.” And because I typically plan my own party, usually a surprise party, this quarantine business was not cooperating with my typical celebration. 

I have been beyond blessed-I’ve planned trips and the Good to Go Group Travel gang has celebrated my April 29^th birthday in South Africa, in Switzerland, and in Italy, to name only a few. 50 in North Dakota was my age then, not my 50^th state. Yes, I’m very blessed to have had birthdays all over the world, but this year the Good to Go Girl celebrated in… her driveway. A first.

I’ll be honest, I haven’t been my usual  peppy Patti self these weeks. No travel, no entertaining gigs, no speaking engagements, you know, I’m “unessential”. I could care less about the birthday year number (59, if you’re wondering) but the huge, sudden change in my busy life-that has done quite a number on me.

Niece Jena Beth and the Much Older Sister knew I needed a dose of my own medicine and planned a surprise birthday party parade. They arranged for me to be given laughter and joy by the car loads. Our driveway and yard were decorated with balloons and a giant birthday sign. I had an empty suitcase (curious?) and the neighbors started to gather. I heard it before I saw it. Here comes the Grove Fire Chief and the big, beautiful ladder fire engine. Dang! This IS a parade!

And here they came, people I love from all the corners of my crazy life, in their cars and trucks decorated with balloons and garlands and flowers. Many stopped with cards or something fun to go in that empty suitcase that didn’t stay that way long. Who knew Grove had so many convertibles? And even though the wind was a gale, the music blared, and the queenly waves and wishes made my heart soar.

Social distancing was respected, even with live musical performances from Broadway show tunes (thank you Ron Young) to country hits with complete sound systems (thank you Susie Niehus) to original rewrites (thank you George Fracek). From Lori Klickman and her sister Cindy's dancing (the choreography that accompanied was brilliant!) to arriving in a Jeep Kaiser military troop vehicle. I was moved to happy and thankful tears.

Toilet paper rolls with tiny treasures tucked in the tubes were tossed for me to gather. Candy, (good stuff) was thrown out just like the Christmas parade. One car sported a jolly fellow that looked a lot like Santa Claus but this Santa dropped off wine! Cars, trucks, SUV’s, a military vehicle, a stroller with the cutest baby ever and that one rather plain woman. Oh wait, that was Bob Carlson sporting the dress he put on to surprise me on a girls’ only trip. (And he can still fit in it after quarantine!) What a lovely surprise and effort. Not to be outdone, Superman and Wonder Woman also made a pass by.

A couple of the vehicles even had their own masks over their front grills and David Adzigian/Patti Demier handed their gift to me on a 6’ pole! So caution was not thrown to the wind, even if some the decorations were.

I heard another familiar horn and I looked up to see… a motor coach. Yep, there’s our favorite driver/pastor Donnie making his way down Sunset Circle in a coach with his two darling grand-girls and a hound dog. Homemade cards and signs are all over my quarantined living room, waiting to be sprayed with sanitizer. And I can’t say “thank you” enough about the greeting cards that came my way. As the queen of repurpose and reuse-I was amazed and moved at how my clever friends could edit Get Well cards and cross out lines in used Christmas cards to make them PERFECT for my birthday! Price was NO object, I loved it!

The worst part of the day? I couldn’t hug everyone and show them how much it meant to me.

The best part of the day? All the laughs and memories we will have now for birthday 2020.

Once again, I have been blessed. I was in the driveway instead of out on the road, but I’ll remember my birthday party parade and all the fun it delivered.

Thank you to everyone that gifted me with joy and laughter. The best birthday present ever.

On Fire to Go

I’m weary. I’m weary of work, worry, wonder and a few other words I’m too tired to think of right now. I’m not complaining of anything that others aren’t experiencing during this pandemic. What started out feeling like a few snow days without the snow, that turned into more of the being grounded vibe, and now, well, it’s just old. We all so want to be over it.
 

I’ve always been a busy girl. Papa Paul used to tell me I was burning the candle at both ends. I usually responded with some “But look how much brighter it is with both ends going!” I was probably the only girl in high school whose mother made sure I took my Geritol tablet each morning. I’ve never really ever wondered about that until just now! 

You are getting the picture that I’ve been a go-girl long before I was Good to Go. So now when the brakes are on without a departure for months, I’m kinda lost. I’ve tried to continue in the “hair on fire” mode, making lists and doing jobs that I don’t usually have time for. One of those jobs does get close to hair on fire….I’ve been obsessed with burning the downed timber on our family farm. That terrible storm last fall took down about 100 trees, and the Much Older Sister’s husband has been pushing up these burn piles that range in size from a Volkswagon to a semitruck. I’m on fire number 17. I take pride in my fire starting skills and refuse to use any kind of fuel except paper. And I get a little cocky if I can do the whole pile using only one match.

I get in some good thinking time breaking twigs, feeding the fire and watching the flames. I miss traveling. I’ve planned and offered many (what I thought were) great trips down through the years. Like some of my fires, they didn’t catch. I advertised and fanned the flames, but I just couldn’t get a fire built under folks to get them on the bus.

I’m keeping up with peers and partners in the travel industry. There are a lot of opinions of how travel will come back once we have weathered this storm. Of course, everyone will have personal outlook on what they will want to do. Some people will be ready to get on a plane and go! Some may be ready for travel but will decide a motorcoach trip in the USA is a good idea. Others may wait on bigger trips and just enjoy some family get togethers. How the economy is fairing, how the presidential election is going, these will be a few more things that will determine how the travel fire will ignite.

You can expect me to stand on my stump and say, “Don’t wait! Go while you can! You never know about tomorrow!” I’ll take my own advice and pack Big Red, my suitcase, and go as far as my budget will allow. I hope there are many out there that like to have trip on the calendar, and enjoy the spark that being somewhere else gives us. You can count on me to fan the flames.