I love traveling, especially to major cities. When contemplating a trip to an urban area with its requisite museums, sculpture parks, cafes, and rococo/classical/art deco architecture styles, I’m as excited as a dog gets when its owner jingles the car keys.
And Speaking of Dogs…
I recently bought one. A bougee dog that cost in the four digits (and the first number isn’t 1). We had a hole in our hearts from the departure of our beloved Jozy (hard to use the word death in conjunction with our Jozy). So, we did the only rational thing possible. We bought another labradoodle.
While Jozy was considered large, Rosie is considered mini, meaning her max weight is 35 lb. While Jozy was black, Rosie is apricot. Both females, and yes, I know their names sound like they rhyme but the spellings, as you can see, are different. So, see, very few similarities.
Owning a Pet Is a Lot Like Owning Children, Full of Paradoxes
And yet… I’m in love again, though different than my love for Jozy which filled my heart for 13 years. This love is five months old and very fulfilling. Owning a pet is a lot like raising children, full of paradoxes. As author/journalist Jennifer Senior wrote in her book, All Joy, and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood, “children are economically worthless and emotionally priceless.”
The same can be said for pets. Friends who have had pet losses hesitate to repopulate their empty nests with new furry friends. “You won’t be able to travel without the hassle of finding a pet sitter and pet sitters are pricey!” They will tear up your furniture and make your 70-plus-year-old skin bleed from their needle-sharp teeth; they will keep you up all night; they’re expensive! The vet bill and bougee dog food alone will cut into your retirement budget.
Yes, yes, and yes. All true.
But, I would argue – worth it.
Values, Priorities, and Goals Shift as You Age into Your 70s
I don’t think I realized how much one’s values, priorities, and goals shift as you age into your 70s. Although I still value travel and varied experiences, I’m realizing I want to stay in a destination longer and delve deeper into the fresh environs.
I want to explore and form deeper relationships within a new neighborhood. I want to use my temporary home base as a launching point for travel to adjacent destinations. Both of my adult children and their families live in Illinois, so it is highly likely our temporary digs will be in either the northern or southern part of the state.
My Travel Dollars Are Limited
I’ve had a craving to visit Arches, Redwood, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Yellowstone national parks. It is easier to explore the west and its requisite national parks from Illinois than Orlando. Plus, I’ll have free dog sitters in the form of kids and grandkids.
Speaking of family, I want to spend more time with people I love instead of those I would only superficially get to know on a 10-day cruise. Now, don’t get me wrong. The thought of a 10-day cruise is intoxicating, and I can feel my blood pressure start to drop just thinking of such a relaxing venture.
Realistically, however, my travel dollars are limited. And my husband’s recent scary cancer diagnosis has made us re-think international travel. We need to stay closer to a home base and consistent medical care.
But Back to the Dog…
The other cool thing about getting a longer-term rental in the Chicago/Southern Illinois areas (with access to children and grandchildren) is that I can bring my dog! I can have the fun, comfort (and responsibility) of being with our furry family member in a new locale.
I look forward to exploring more of the Midwest about which I know little and spending extended periods cultivating relationships I really care about. Novel experiences are invaluable for brain health and a good quality of life, and travel fits that bill perfectly. Travel, however, comes in all sizes, shapes, and locations.
Here are photos of people I really want to spend my travel dollars on.
So, I guess I’m saying, at this point in my life, I want to use my hard-earned travel dollars differently than I used to.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
What are your priorities in your 70s? Are they different from those you had set in your 60s? What is your take on the issue of using travel $$ differently? How have you adjusted your travel based on your priorities, values and goals?
