JOIN ME FOR MY FINAL TWO MONUMENTAL TRIPS

I recorded Last of the Breed, a PBS program featuring Willy Nelson, Merle Haggard and Ray Price, and as Nelson began singing On the Road Again, I got this inspiration of going on the road again.  Then, when he sang You Were on My Mind, my mind began nostalgically wondering what if I could convince some friends and family to join me for my final trip around the USA?  Then, of course, there is that mythical around the world cruise next year.

I will hopefully reach the Year 2020, my lifelong goal.  This blog will end next year.  I think I have two more monumental trips left.  First, the one I've been gloating over for several years, that around the world journey on a ship next year.

The second just came to me while watching Willy Nelson and his friends.  I've been through most states, driven across country and back a couple of times.  Took Amtrak completely around the country.   I'm headed for 3 million miles on Star Alliance.  What, then, about my final national wandering being a multi-transport mode peregrination around the United States?

I've stopped renting cars, so if road travel is involved, someone else has to do the driving.  Amtrak, sure, for Pearl and I once started in Los Angeles, went up to Vancouver, across the northern portion of the U.S. through Chicago and New York City, then down to Florida, west through New Orleans and San Antonio, and back to LAX.  Took us a month.  I've flown so much, I want to minimize that option.

Would be nice to visit friends in New York City,  DC, Florida, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Austin, San Francisco and so on.  Perhaps catch a University of Hawaii football game against Washington on September 14, or Nevada on September 28, Boise State on October 12, or University of Nevada at Las Vegas on November 16.  These are not must stops, but why not events if the timing is right.

Then I just got an e-mail from someone planning a possible trip involving a conference in Orlando in September, so probably stops in Disney World and Epcot Center, and another activity in Las Vegas from October 4.

Thus I quickly combined our two schedules.  She can of course join me in Orlando, and return to Hawaii after Las Vegas. Here is a very preliminary complete itinerary that could well be around six weeks long:

USA in the Fall of 2019

September       12        Lv        Honolulu                                 Air

                                    Ar        Seattle

                        14        UH-Washington football game

                        15        Lv        Seattle                                     Amtrak

                        17        Ar        Chicago                                              

20        Lv        Chicago                                   Amtrak

            Ar        DC

23        Lv        DC                                          Amtrak

24        Ar        Orlando

                        25        Epcot Center

                        26        Lv        Orlando                                   Air

                                    Ar        Reno

                        28        UH-Nevada football game

29        Lv        Reno                                        ?

                                    Ar        San Francisco

October              3       Lv        San Francisco                          ?

                                    Ar        Las Vegas

                          4        Conference

                          5        Conference

                          6        Conference

                          7        Conference

           

                          8        Lv        Las Vegas                                Bus

                                    Ar        Kingman, Arizona

                                    Lv        Kingman                                 Amtrak

                                    Ar        Albuquerque

                          9        Balloon Fiesta

                        10        Balloon Fiesta

                        11        Lv        Albuquerque  Air (1000 miles by car)

                                    Ar        Boise

                        12        UH versus Boise State football game

                        14        Lv        Boise                                       Amtrak

                                    Ar        Portland

****************************************************

                        16        Lv        Portland                                  Amtrak

                                    Ar        Los Angeles

                        19        Lv        Los Angeles            Carnival Miracle

                        24        Ar        Kahului

                        25        Ar        Honolulu

or *************************************************

October           17        Lv        Portland                                Amtrak

                        18        Ar        San Diego

20        Lv        San Diego              Holland America

                                                                                     Oosterdam

                        26        Ar        Honolulu

or *************************************************

October           18        Lv        Portland                                Amtrak

                                    Ar        Vancouver

                        21        Lv        Vancouver            Norwegian Jewel

                        27        Ar        Kona

                        28        Ar        Hilo

                        29        Ar        Kahului

                        30        Ar        Nawiliwili

November         1        Ar        Honolulu

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**************************************************

Need to check on the San Francisco to Honolulu cruise schedules.  They all seem to only start in November 2019, meaning October is probably fully booked.

Princess leaves Los Angeles on October 7 and November 4.  Oceania Regatta departs San Francisco on November 1 and arrives in Honolulu on November 7.

Oceania is a possible candidate for a fantasy 162-day around the world cruise in 2020.  Insignia departs San Francisco on January 26 and arrives back to SFO on July 5.  Deluxe ocean view is available for $43,000 ($265/day)/person or Veranda Stateroom for $53,300 ($329/day)/person.   

However, all rooms at this time appear to have been reserved.  Princess and Holland America have four-month packages for half those prices.  But Holland America is sold out. Pacific Princess departs Los Angeles on January 20, stopping in Honolulu on January 26, and returning to Los Angeles on on April 25.  Cost?  $31,000/person for a balcony room. 111 days and 41 ports of call.

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I wonder if my brother in Las Vegas and his friend from Seoul would want to join me for part of these adventures?  Just a segment would be nice.  Or perhaps my Mystery Ladies?  Joyce and David.  Dave/Sharon and Louis from Florida.  Gloria and Joe from DC.  Grace, Michael and Katie in New York?  Jim and the gang around San Francisco.  Marie and John in Austin?  Margaret and Harry?  Judith and Bruce. Tadashi and Mayumi?  Anyone from 15 Craigside?  Or acquaintances from my past?  Others?

Planes, Trains and Automobiles.  That was a movie from a third of century ago.  Got an 87% rating from Rotten Tomatoes.  Hotels and other travel costs?  Should be shared as appropriate, although individuality in rooms would be fine.  Decisions will need to be made very shortly, so, anyone interested, let me know now.  Otherwise, maybe I'll go myself.

Of course, anyone contemplating joining me, can suggest other stops.  I'm flexible.  There is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta from October 5-14, something I've long wanted to experience.  I don't want to ride one of those, just take a few photos.

Clearly, that around the world cruise is not for real.  For one, if the trip is a standard 4-months long, then, I need to leave $18,000 with 15 Craigside just to be away.  Then again, why not, as I have only one life to live, and the clock is running out.  In any case, I have yet to have confirmed a cabin mate willing to pay her half.  Also too, I'll need to first check if 15 Craigside will allow me to do this.  My lifestyle has reverted  back to being almost a child again.

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