Quote of the Day:
“The secret of genius is to carry the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm.” –Aldous Huxley
Have you heard the news yet? TB turns 40 this year. Surprisingly, I’m not the only one this is happening to this year. Even more surprisingly, hundreds I have heard, if not more, have previously experienced this damn dubious milestone. So why does it feel like this is some cruel joke the universe is only inflicting on me?
Anyway, I’ve been thinking of how to cushion the blow and for me the generic answer is easy–travel somewhere awesome. Ah, but where to go, that’s the rub. I want to wake up that fateful August morning some place beautiful and devoid of traffic. It must be a locale that is both affordable and accessible, but neither cheap nor easy–those were fine when I was but 30. There should be something to do that involves moving my rapidly aging bones before they turn to dust, be it a mountain hike or an ocean swim, or something similar. Strenuous, yet not overly dangerous. It probably needs to be a location I’ve yet to see and definitely north, south or west of Dixie. And if northwest, further north and/or west than the Great Plains, no offense Kansas. If an island my destination be, I’d like to be able to rent a boat and a golf cart for transport. If a mountain, I want waterfalls, off the road, but bear-free and within a mile. Carrying the Little Scamp uphill very far would qualify as overly dangerous for those drying bones of which I spake. I’m tantalized by the idea of a road trip down the Baja peninsula, drinking cerveza in the lonely desert, taking siesta with the old gauchos staring blankly in brotherhood from beneath my new sombrero, moving languidly, symbolically south to Cabo.
But I can’t decide. It must be perfect. Otherwise I am not certain I will survive the transformation. Suggestions? Has this ever happened to anyone else? This is a really big decision for me.
Travellinbaen 
You know my vote is for an island and the sand. I suggest all inclusive because they will wait on your tired old ass hand and vote – the only work you will have to do is to plant your flag in the sand for your drink/food order. I’ve always wanted to go to Cabo ever since I saw a show with Jerry Jeff Walker sport fishing down there -I think he may have been with Jimmy Buffett but am not sure. That said, any island in the Caribeano would be equally wonderful. Jamaica is good but you would not want to leave the resort – at least they do not like you to and that would likely cramp your style. The resort was so great to me I didn’t want to leave. A massage on the beach, drinks brought to me at every turn (yellow birds are the best!) and the boat cruise was fun as well.
It helps to hang out with people older than you – this weekend I saw people I had known most of my life but had not seen in quite a while. They told me I still looked like a teenager and asked when was I going to age? Then I realize that I am only 3 short years away from 50! I am thankful for good genes is all I know and the fact that I’ve never smoked. All you can do is keep moving and mosturize – it will help tremendously.
They will wait on you hand and FOOT is what I meant to say!
“All you can do is keep moving and moisturize”….Friends and denizens of the TBU, this is the bonus Quote of the Day.
It is working for me – thanks for the bonus quote of the day – I feel like a winner now 🙂
I am also turning the big 40 this year, but had managed to successfully blocked that unfortunate fact out of my consciousness until I read this post—thanks TB.
It really is no big deal – plan something fun and celebrate the fact that you are still alive after all the shenanigans ya’ll have pulled in this lifetime. I recently had a friend who passed away at the age of 49 so that makes celebrating any age worthwhile.
You must ask yourself would you rather be here celebrating a number with people of your own choosing or would you rather be in a box while others (and you have no control over whether these people are friends or foes) are standing around looking at you as you are laid out at the wake commenting on how good (or bad) you are looking. I choose the party that I can go to myself.
You got to make the best of what you’ve got and it is all up to you.
I suggest the Pacific Northwest. Tons of awesome outdoorsy stuff to do, and you might see an Orca! I’m biased, I loved living out there. Wild yet civilized. Good luck with your big decision!
I remember when 40 seemed sooo old. Oh wait, it still kinda does. jk.
I have no suggestions on where you should go, but like to see myself type 🙂
You could go to Collins Exotic Animal Orphanage. I mean, it’s got the word exotic in the title, so it must be kind of like leaving Dixie.
You are cracking me up – I think of you everytime I go by there which I did twice this past weekend. The Collins Exotic Animal Orphanage is now painted a very bright hot pink. Trevor always says he sees your car there.
That place is a scene.
The Collins Zoo was on the news last night for possible animal cruelty!
I’m with JL..go to an island, any island!
Remeber TB, You aint old till you’re 50. I said that when I was turning 30 about 40. Also, when I was in my 20’s about 30. But seriously, THIS TIME for sure it’s true about 50.
SmilyJ bite your tongue! I’m might have to give you a swift kick in the rear next time I see you in Jerry Lee’s. 70 is old, 50 not so much! I say as I am on the sidewalk on the way up to knocking on the door.
I turn 40 in August, so I’m right there with you. Add that I’m in my second year of law school and have never been married, and you’d think I’d be in panic mode.
Not the case. I had a great first career, and an even better second one shaping up. I’ve never lacked for great company, and I’m happier than most folks I know of ANY age.
I’m on board with the Take A Trip model of celebrating official entry into middle age. So I’m going to Utila, a bay island off the coast of Honduras, for a week of scuba diving during peak whale shark season.
Damn right.
Kristen
OH, and to add to Jessie Lou’s right-on philosophy: sunscreen, exercise, and a good hair stylist. Everything else is gravy.
And in my case – lots of 50 sunblock!
AVL – you sound like you have it figured out – good for you!
Army vet, welcome to the TBU, hope to see your continuing commentary–you definitely have an interesting background which I’m certain will provide a unique perspective on all sorts of matters, important and otherwise that we ramble about here.
I should let y’all know too, I guess I’m leaning toward an island trip right now–just gotta find the right one. AV I won’t steal your idea, but I will be reading about it. I never even heard of Utila before now, which reinforces my desire to keep searching for just the right place.
Go on and steal it!!
If you’re interested in scuba and not certified, all the dive-resorts will certify you while you’re there. And if you’re not interested in scuba, you pay less to stay, and the snorkeling is amazing.
The place where I’m headed is called Laguna Beach Resort, and they have unlimited horseback riding, 4-wheeling, you can go deep-sea fishing, ride a bike to the little town, all kinds of activities. All inclusive, except I think you do pay a little extra for boat time for deep-sea fishing. Meals and everything else, included.
Am I the only one who sees the beautiful symbolism or the romantic adventure of the Baja road trip??
It’s not happening of course, 20 hours on a dangerous road with the Little Scamp ain’t feasible, but if life were different I’d go pick up a few cases of beer, find that sombrero and kidnap Sweet and we’d be “On the Road.” And I mean “romantic” like Byron or Bogart, not that there’s anything wrong with that, so don’t even take that opening MD/Smily.
The road trip would be fine but I prefer to be dropped at the airport and fly straight to the destination. All inclusive is the way to go.