04/2011 - Ex Pats That Fall

[greydread]

I still want to see Montana and those States near it.

Montana is not to be missed. Fly into Salt Lake City, rent a car and drive up to West Yellowstone, stopping off in Idaho Falls. That region is amazing, especially for a NY'er.

Also, the drive from Reno to San Francisco is a life changing experience. The USA has got some really beautiful shit to see.

[Westy]

Montana is not to be missed. Fly into Salt Lake City, rent a car and drive up to West Yellowstone, stopping off in Idaho Falls. That region is amazing, especially for a NY'er.

Also, the drive from Reno to San Francisco is a life changing experience. The USA has got some really beautiful shit to see.

Sweet Baby Jesus ... I can easily see myself traveling west, and north, and east and south and every-which-way across the Fruited Plain, like the hero of Robert A. Heinlein's tale of The Man Who Traveled In Elephants.

[Mr. Smooth]

I been there about 7 times.

Seriously Jimmy?

Somehow, you sound like a guy who has never been west of the Hudson!

Fortunately for me, when I had my Harley, I rode as far north as Highway 2, from Kalispell, Montana to Superior, Wisconsin. Saw the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Minnesota, where it is all of about 50 feet wide.

The Rockies are as majestic as they come in the US. The Grand Tetons make the Appalachian's look like a beginners ski slope. Riding Route 66 eastbound in Arizona, seeing the sun setting in the desert out of both of my rear view mirrors. Cruising along US 1 out of South Florida on my way to Key West, seeing the most beautiful turquoise blue water I had ever seen. The vast plains of the upper midwest, the Missouri River splits the Dakotas in half, west is open range land and cattle country, east are some of the most fertile farmlands on earth, and both breathtaking to see.

The brilliant, bleached white sandy beaches of the Florida Gulf Coast along Panama City, the gentle bends of the lower Mississippi as it cuts a mighty swath through New Orleans, the endless wide open nothingness of West Texas, and the auburn colored hallow of light that arches across the Las Vegas sprawl as you are coming up from the south and Hoover Dam.

And on and on it goes. I've been blessed to see a great deal of this country and not for a minute do I take it for granted. I have vowed to take a long and leisurely trip across America, from the rough and rocky shores of Northern California to the rocky shores of Maine, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf, from the swamps of the Everglades to the misty and cool air of Puget Sound.

When I was 18, I read John Steinbeck's classic book, "Travels With Charley", when he took to the road with his French poodle in a camper and traveled the back roads of America. It has been in my mind ever since to do something similar when I retire. I figure a 4-5 month road trip, maybe take a few notes along the way, write a blog or whatever to document it. Who knows, maybe try to get in touch with a few bm's to see if they have a spare sofa for a night or two as I pass on by.

From the amber waves to the shining sea, we Americans have got ourselves one hell of a beautiful country!

[Jimmydr]

Seriously Jimmy?

Somehow, you sound like a guy who has never been west of the Hudson!

Vancouver twice, Washington State once.

[Jimmydr]

Montana is not to be missed. Fly into Salt Lake City, rent a car and drive up to West Yellowstone, stopping off in Idaho Falls. That region is amazing, especially for a NY'er.

Also, the drive from Reno to San Francisco is a life changing experience. The USA has got some really beautiful shit to see.

It will be done within a few years.

[Jimmydr]

When I was 18, I read John Steinbeck's classic book, "Travels With Charley", when he took to the road with his French poodle in a camper and traveled the back roads of America. It has been in my mind ever since to do something similar when I retire. I figure a 4-5 month road trip, maybe take a few notes along the way, write a blog or whatever to document it. Who knows, maybe try to get in touch with a few bm's to see if they have a spare sofa for a night or two as I pass on by.

From the amber waves to the shining sea, we Americans have got ourselves one hell of a beautiful country!

From 18-22 we would jump in the cars and see everything 400 miles from NYC in all 3 directions.


Canada was where it all began.

[Jimmydr]

Sweet Baby Jesus ... I can easily see myself traveling west, and north, and east and south and every-which-way across the Fruited Plain, like the hero of Robert A. Heinlein's tale of The Man Who Traveled In Elephants.

You get your pension check and you log on daily. You must know at least 2 dozen guys by now and.



Buying a plane ticket, laying around your house, or getting on your boat, tough to decide which you want to do daily

[Jimmydr]

Also, the drive from Reno to San Francisco is a life changing experience. The USA has got some really beautiful shit to see.

Did that drive and got stranded in a nice casino during a blizzard.

[whynotme]

Oh ... and just for the sheer shit-post of it ... have you been to every Canadian province?

every one but newfoundland.........................

[Jimmydr]

every one but newfoundland.........................

Heard its boring there.

[whynotme]

Heard its boring there.

its a good place to send ex wifes
but its not a good place for rehab addictions

[tgunz]

And this is another major consideration. There is so much of the world that I haven't seen! (Heck, for that matter, I've only seen a little of the USA!) I certainly haven't seen enough to make a well-informed decision that "I want to live out my life ... THERE." Besides that, I'd be a fool to base that decision on just one factor, such as cost-of-mongering.

I don't have to move offshore for the sake of low rent ... yet. All the same, it would strain my finances to spend months abroad in "tourist mode." I'll need to shift into something closer to "expat mode," living more as I do at home; leasing an apartment rather than staying in hotels, cooking for myself more than dining out, choosing simpler pleasures over expensive entertainment ... no, not giving up that "expensive entertainment," but not going full-tilt like a "weekend millionaire."

Some guys are always in penny pinching mode. They just can't live any other way.

They will never understand your example of the 2 different Boca "chicas" .... but that's a perfect example of what I consider expat mode. The one you can afford to bang everyday. And the one you splurge on every once in a while.

Well unless your Camaro. All his bitches are fine. Lol

[yayow]

For me there are so many places to see that I can't see spending all of my time in one location

Once I get to the point that I don't have perceived obligations that keep me in the USA I can see spending much more time in other overseas destinations but never in one spot.

Like maybe 2-3 months at a time in region of a country and than move on to someplace else.

Keeps it fresh and allows for more variety.

Yes the travel cost is more expensive than settling in one location but I think I would become bored staying in one place.

But for those that are content settling in one spot and if that makes them happy more power to them.

I think it is good to have a home base, difficult to just pick up and wander from place to place, but I guess it can be done. It certainly would be interesting, I guess.

[Jimmydr]

I think it is good to have a home base, difficult to just pick up and wander from place to place, but I guess it can be done. It certainly would be interesting, I guess.

I agree, one needs a home base.

[greydread]

I agree, one needs a home base.

Unless you want to live like "Andy the Hobo Traveler" off $2 a day. There's no crepes in that meal plan.

[Jimmydr]

Unless you want to live like "Andy the Hobo Traveler" off $2 a day. There's no crepes in that meal plan.

I need crepes, I need waffles

[greydread]

I need crepes, I need waffles

You are too high maintenance to travel with Andy.

[PapiQueRico]

Hey, instead of just discussing ex-pats who fall how about some props for those who succeed. Success defined by living well and happy be it with a business or not. Quickly people like BBrocs and Blue Devil come to mind.

[Westy]

Hey, instead of just discussing ex-pats who fall how about some props for those who succeed. Success defined by living well and happy be it with a business or not. Quickly people like BBrocs and Blue Devil come to mind.

That's an excellent definition for "success," wherever you are.

[tgunz]

Hey, instead of just discussing ex-pats who fall how about some props for those who succeed. Success defined by living well and happy be it with a business or not. Quickly people like BBrocs and Blue Devil come to mind.

The guys who are too afraid to do it. Or have failed to plan for the future, and can't afford it, do not want to admit it. They only want to talk about failures. And why it's a bad idea. Live in paradise. Hell no! Tu ta loca. I might get sun burn. That could lead to skin cancer. You know the doctors suck there.

Staying here and working 40 hours a week is a much better plan. Bc I love what I do. But I run away from here Everytime I can afford. Something doesn't add up to me. But I've never been good a math. So what do I know.