Retired Snow Bird Migration: Planning a Vacation ...on the way to another vacation!

MIGRATION, MIGRATION, MIGRATION
The Snow Birds (retired boomers) are beginning to be restless. A few fly south early, wanting to get in that extra bit of sun. Many have been stuck in the snow in early October and learned the lessons taught by Mother Nature. The cautious travelers along with those that love the second home as much as the first leave early. Migration and talk of migration fills the hearts and minds of America's retired population.

Down Town Palm Spring

Every year I marvel at the similarity of the migration of those beautiful snow geese that fly in lovely V's over head and humans following their example. I have learned that many people are RUT followers and travel down the same road and stay in the same motel each and every year. I think birds must do this very thing. Restlessness drives their flight and the shortest distance between two points is their goal. Then there are Snow Birds that take a vacation on their way to their vacation both going and coming. I smile at the thought....that is what we do. Those straggling birds that leave with the flock for Mexico and end up in Florida must love a vacation too!

I cannot explain to those that don't see the wonder of the road. They just disdain more vacation. Too costly, no enough time, my wife's back hurts...and the list goes on and on! All I can think is what a shame.

DREAM VACATION...USING TIME SHARES

We have a timeshare and can get bonus time (i.e. overnight lodging in a condo at about $40 per night) during the shoulder of the season. Because we invested in this type of ownership, we have been able to travel and stay in beautiful accommodations owned by our timeshare company. We travel with a laptop computer so we can take advantage of those online coupons and golf deal. We have learned to travel in luxury but do it on our terms.

This year I am dreaming of a short visit to the wine country of the Napa Valley and maybe a trip down the coast of California.

Sedona, Arizona...another dream location on the way!
I would like to stay in Windsor, California for a couple of days and then go south through San Francisco and stay in one of our timeshare locations just outside of China Town. We could then travel south to Pismo Beach north of Los Angeles and spend a day or two in that part of California. We have never been there. Our next stop would be in the Palm Springs area where we can choose from two locations...or just take the one that is open.

We might play golf while we are there...why not if we can get a good price on golf. Fall is perfect for people that love to play luxury courses but don't want to pay the inflated price courses charge during high season. This is the time of year when golf courses in Southern California and Arizona over seed their courses. Putting greens are not wonderful but the beauty of the green courses make up for that.

Friends in the RV Resor

The Ocean calls our name....

So what do you think? Don't you think this sounds like fun? I have always wondered if those geese stirring about practicing for the journey south when they go from one corn field to the next, dream of warm swamp land in the south. Do they dream of the stopping points like the one outside Burns, Oregon where birds numbering in the thousands linger every year resting and feeding? Is that their idea of a stop in wine country? I somehow think it is.

Have a wonderful day. I'll see you in the sun later.

b

Links:

Palm Springs Golf
Park Model Living
Related Travel Blogs

Five Little Ducks...stories played out!

The children's song about the little ducks leaving the nest to fly away has always been one of my favorites. Every mother has seen their babies fly away and rejoiced. Life comes full circle. Animals live that same cycle. Babies grow up. Birds leave the nest. Life goes on. So when the three ducks show up every year near my patio I am not surprised. But I am puzzled that it always seems to be the same three. Something just doesn't seem right. It appears the one did not fly away at all. Five little ducks Went out to play Over the hills and far away. The mommy duck went "quack, quack quack," Four little ducks came swimming back... And then Three Two and One. A drake, a female duck (a hen) and a not quite a drake but still not a hen gather here on the 5th green of the golf course. She leads and the other two follow along obediently. They eat, sleep, and guard each other. Each and every day this time of year they come. I have not named them. Jinxing them would be very pos...

How to be a 12 Month Snow Bird

Vacation Rental in Mexico I live around snowbirds 6 months of the year. I have heard those people say that they all want to live the "snowbird" lifestyle when they go home. But it just is not possible. They are isolated and cold. Social activities with friends and beautiful weather are greatly missed when they return to the realities of their "real" life. One couple I visited with lately returned to Florida this morning where they own a home. The woman is a nurse and works in the summer. They are not going home until May this year. It is too cold in Michigan in the spring so they are hoping to extend their good weather season by simply staying away. Besides that they love their Florida lifestyle a lot. Last week I visited with a woman that lives the snowbird lifestyle year around. No going home to the Midwest in the spring. They essentially vacation 12 month out of the year. And I thought their solution for avoiding unpleasant weather and keeping their lifestyle in...

If You Build It, They Will Come...Maybe!

It all began with a antique window in front of a local shop. It had been painted yellow, the glass was loose and all of the hinges and latches were gone. My old friend Betty would have approved...she would tell me it was just broken enough and damaged enough for me to drag it home. When my dear husband saw it, he wondered what he was meant to do with it. Imagine his surprise when he was presented with the plan to build a small neighborhood library exchange. It wasn't the first time he had heard me ask "How hard could it be?" Now it is six weeks later and we mounted the darling little library exchange on two posts in our front yard. I love it. Now the question is, will they come or has the time passed when people actually read something made of paper? Our association president stopped by and admired the box but left after telling me that he only read books on his Kindle. We will see. Would you bring a book and take a book? b+

Retire In Style Blog Too

Search This Blog