Today is our 12 year world travel anniversary. Happy Halloween!

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A gnome sitting on a pumpkin with Thanksgiving decorations clipart, cozy autumn vibes, digital painting, isolated on white background
Happy Halloween!

It was 12 years ago today, Tom retired from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, and we left Minnesota. We loaded up his SUV with way too much stuff to drive to Arizona for a two-month stay to wrap up some paperwork, buy new laptops and smartphones, and work on visas for upcoming cruises and travels.

Everything we’d owned was sold and gone, albeit with a modicum of tears that flowed freely after saying goodbye to our loved ones. We knew we’d miss family, but with easy Facetime access online, it wouldn’t be as challenging to be away as it might have been decades ago, before the internet.

We chose to stay in Arizona for a few months to see if we’d like to live there when we eventually settled down. The two months in Scottsdale convinced us that Arizona was unsuitable for us. The summer heat was unappealing, and somehow, we never acquired a connection to the state.

While there, we enjoyed spending time with Tom’s sisters in Apache Junction, but again, we couldn’t see ourselves living in a retirement community in Arizona or anywhere. In time, that may change our minds about living in a retirement community, but not now.

Here we are now, after 12 years of the most exciting and adventurous times of our lives, seeking the medical care we knew would eventually come to pass. Nothing we’ve discovered about my health thus far requires us to stop traveling. In our travels over the past 12 years, we’ve met many seniors with heart conditions similar to mine who continue to travel regularly, some even full-time, like us.

We’re not done yet. We still have plenty of world left to see and feel no urgency to make any permanent decisions. It’s funny, isn’t it, that we feel totally at ease with that uncertainty? Many have said that not having a home would make them uncomfortable and unsettled. For us, it’s not an issue at all.

I suppose this lifestyle has reshaped our needs, and we no longer feel compelled to have a place we call “home.” We’ve learned that such a decision can be made whenever we are ready from wherever we may be at any given time.

What are we doing to celebrate today? Without a rental car, there are no exceptional restaurants nearby that warrant an Uber ride, and the fact that we’ve already ordered takeaway meals from the best nearby restaurants, we see no reason to venture out. We considered having cocktails tonight since I have one unopened bottle of white wine, and Tom has a bottle of brandy. But it’s been two months since we’ve had a drink, and we don’t need to do so today.

Today is special to both of us, and neither food nor drink is required to revel in the memories we created over the past 12 years, let alone the 4448 posts we’ve uploaded since March 2012, (see the first post here) months before we left Minnesota, when we wrote our first post. At any moment, we can enjoy the memories of the past 12 years with only a few clicks in our archives.

When we look back at any of those posts, we are immediately transported back to those precious times, memories flooding our minds, with smiles on our faces and feelings of warmth in our hearts. We are grateful for the experiences, the times we spent together, the people we met along the way, and the people and places we have yet to see. We are grateful for the safety in our travels, although, at times, we encountered challenging situations.

And now, as we near the end of our time at Cleveland Clinic (four months to go), we are again grateful for the exceptional medical care and upcoming peace of mind we’ll carry with us when we leave.

Happy Halloween to all.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 31, 2014:

This rooster was strutting around, showing off his pretty plumage at a vegetable stand in Maui. For more photos, please click here.

Rough seas for cruising friends now and for us many times on past cruises…

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The Norwegian Epic has an unusual design which contributed to its difficulty in handling the rough seas we encountered in 2013.

Our friends Rita and Gerhard are currently on a 24-night cruise on the Westerdam, Holland America cruise line from Seattle, Washington, stopping in Hawaii and then sailing on to Sydney, Australia. They are experiencing rough seas at this time, which brought to mind questions many potential cruisers have asked us: “What is the likelihood of experiencing rough seas resulting in seasickness and gross discomfort?”

There’s no particular number or percentage of times this may occur on a cruise when weather conditions that produce rough seas are unpredictable. After 34 cruises since 2013, we have experienced no less than five cruises that come to mind, but only one was considered terrifying by many passengers.

We were on the Norwegian Epic during an April 2013 cruise, experiencing rough seas. A major storm system in the Atlantic created turbulent conditions that affected the ship, resulting in a challenging and memorable experience for passengers. Reports from the time mentioned strong winds and large waves, which caused some disruptions to the ship’s itinerary and onboard activities. The crew had to take precautions, and stabilizers were deployed, but even with these measures, the ship’s movement was still noticeable, especially for those unaccustomed to rough seas.

The captain initially announced the waves were 30 feet (9.14 meters). He later admitted they were 50 feet (15.24 meters) with 65 MPH (104.6 km) winds. He hesitated to alarm the passengers further when many were in their cabins, lying in bed, attempting to mitigate seasickness.

Fortunately, neither of us was seasick and never spent daytime hours in our cabin. Instead, we wandered about the ship, hanging on to whatever we could grab to maintain stability. There were a handful of other passengers out and about like us. The three nights were challenging, with the loud creaking of the ceiling in our cabin, the sounds of the ship heaving in the storm, and the sliding glass shower door banging. We tried, unsuccessfully, using towels to reduce the sounds from the shower but nothing worked. We had little sleep those three nights.

Read our post about that event here.

Guests have shared mixed feelings about the experience; some found it thrilling, while others were uncomfortable with the ship’s movement. Events like this can remind us just how powerful the ocean can be and the importance of an experienced crew and a well-prepared ship in handling such conditions.

Encountering rough seas on a cruise ship can be a concern, though modern cruise ships are built to handle challenging conditions and prioritize passenger safety. Here are some risks and what you might experience if the seas get choppy:

  1. Motion Sickness
    This is one of the most common discomforts of rough seas. You’ll feel movement on a cruise ship even with the most sophisticated stabilizers. The combination of large swells and ship movement can be disorienting for those prone to seasickness. Many people prepare by bringing motion sickness medication or using acupressure bands.
  2. Injury from Slips and Falls
    When the ship rolls, losing your balance is likely, especially if you’re walking around. Cruise lines advise passengers to hold onto railings during rough seas, and you may see crew temporarily close areas where movement is more likely to lead to slips or falls.
  3. Delayed or Altered Itinerary
    Captains usually receive early warnings of approaching rough weather, allowing them to change course to avoid the worst of it. However, this sometimes means missing ports of call or rearranging the schedule. While disappointing, these detours prioritize safety.
  4. Potential Seasickness in Cabins
    While midship and lower deck cabins are generally less affected by the ship’s movement, rooms in the front and back may sway more. During rough seas, some passengers find themselves confined to their cabins to reduce symptoms.
  5. Dining and Entertainment Restrictions
    Some onboard dining options or entertainment venues may close temporarily during rough conditions. Buffets and activities that require standing may not be available for safety reasons.
  6. Cabin Movement and Noise
    During rough seas, you may notice creaking sounds from the ship’s structure, which can be unsettling for first-time cruisers. The cabins can sway more than usual, making it feel like sleeping on a rocking hammock.

Fortunately, cruise lines are highly prepared for unexpected weather. Their advanced monitoring systems and experienced crews work to minimize discomfort and prioritize passenger safety. If you ever encounter rough seas, you’ll likely receive updates from the captain and staff to keep you informed.

We hope this information is helpful for you and answers some of your questions.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 29, 2014:

A park at the beach on Honoapiilani Highway. For more photos, please click here.

Where would we like to travel if circumstances allow?…

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Here’s a familiar spot found in Maui!

As we spend month after month in the US, longing to travel again, we often wonder where we’d like to go once the doctors at Cleveland Clinic give us the go-ahead. In the worst case, we’ll be able to leave by the end of February. In the best case, we can go in mid-December, which isn’t the ideal time to travel.

If we can leave in December, a cruise might be ideal over the Christmas season, especially if the cruise begins by December 15 and ends a few days after New Year’s Day. This way, we’ll be able to avoid the rush at airports, which we attempt to avoid if we can.

Otherwise, if we have to stay until the end of February, with the goal to be in Marloth Park by March in order to be there at the same time as our friends Kathy and Don, who plan to arrive by March 6 and stay for two months, Gee…if all goes well, we could possibly be there the same time as they will. If so, we won’t need to be concerned about where we’ll go between leaving Cleveland and arriving in Marloth Park.

We’ll stay in Marloth Park for three months until our visas expire, then head to another country in Africa for a short visit to get a new visa when we return to South Africa to stay for another 90 days. This could take us through next October. What shall we do afterward?

We are seriously considering returning to Australia, New Zealand, and, most importantly, Tasmania to Penguin, Tom’s favorite place in the world. We continue to return to Marloth Park, my favorite place but have yet to return to Tom’s. He loves the quaint little ocean town, its people, and its ambiance. I loved Penguin as well, but not as much as Marloth Park.

We’d like to visit several other countries, including Japan and many others in Europe, such as Sweden, Austria, Germany, and Poland. We’d consider returning to Spain and Portugal, where we spent a little time but not enough.

Perhaps on the top of my list of new places to explore is Macquarie Island, an island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, about halfway between New Zealand and Antarctica. Regionally part of Oceania and politically a part of Tasmania, Australia, since 1900, it became a Tasmanian State Reserve in 1978 and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

For more on Macquarie Island, click here:

Macquarie Island is far enough south that human access is limited and far enough north to allow sub-Antarctic species to thrive. Sir Douglas Mawson described it as a wonder spot of the world. The island is an important site for a proliferation of wildlife, including extensive seal colonies and an array of penguin species. Around 3.5 million seabirds and 80,000 elephant seals arrive on Macquarie Island each year to breed and molt.

Macquarie Island is a site of outstanding geological and natural significance and was awarded World Heritage status in 1997, forming a second Tasmanian World Heritage Area.

Macquarie Island is managed by the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, by the Macquarie Island Nature Reserve and World Heritage Area Management Plan 2006.”

The world is vast. We have yet to visit a blip in the magnitude of exciting places left to see. For more details on where we have been, PLEASE CLICK ON OUR TRAVEL MAP ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF OUR MAIN PHOTO to see how much we have seen thus far. Looking at this map even boggles our minds when it’s hard to believe how many places we’ve been already.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 28, 2014:

At a park in Maui, we spotted this bird, a Red-Crested Cardinal. For more photos, please click here.

We visited Lahaina Hawaii in 2014, now destroyed by horrific fires…

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The photo of Bubba Gump seafood restaurant in Lahaina, Hawaii, was also destroyed by the fire in August 2023.

Ten years ago, while we were staying on the island of Maui, Hawaii, we had the delightful opportunity to visit the enchanting town of Lahaina. Like most tourists, our mouths were agape at this special place’s quaint and charming essence, with shops, restaurants, and historically exciting venues lining the streets along an exquisite boardwalk with crystal blue waters.

From this site:

“Lahaina, city, Maui county, on the northwest coast of Maui island, Hawaii, U.S. Extending for 2 miles (3 km) along the leeward (southern) shore, the city is backed by volcanic peaks culminating in Puu Kukui (5,788 feet [1,764 metres]) and sheltered by thick groves of coconut palms.

Originally a tiny fishing village, Lahaina (Hawaiian: “Cruel Sun”) was chosen as the royal capital in 1820 by King Kamehameha II. It remained the capital until 1845, when Honolulu, on Oahu island, replaced it in that role. The Wainee Church Cemetery is sacred to islanders as a burial place of Hawaiian monarchs. Lahaina Roadstead, on the Auau Channel, was a favorite anchorage of Pacific whaling fleets, and in 1840, a lighthouse (Hawaii’s oldest) was built to assist the whaling ships.

The stone prison of Hale Paahao, built by missionaries in 1851, was constructed to hold drunken and disorderly sailors. Lahainaluna High School (1831) is also a relic of missionary days, and on its campus, Hawaii’s first newspaper, Ka Lama Hawaii (“The Torch of Hawaii”), was published in 1834.

Pineapple canning and sugar refining were long Lahaina’s economic mainstays, but they suffered declines in the late 20th century. Tourism is now a leading industry. At the centre of the city is a historic banyan tree planted in 1873 and claimed to be the largest in the islands. The Whalers Village Museum, located within a shopping complex, contains displays of the city’s whaling history as well as more than 70 species of whales. The Olowalu petroglyphs, 5 miles (8 km) east, are rock carvings (some thought to be more than 300 years old) that depict occupations of the early Hawaiians.

In August 2023, a series of wildfires broke out on the island of Maui, one of which struck Lahaina. More than 100 people died, and much of the town was damaged or destroyed. Pop. (2010) 11,704; (2020) 12,702.”

The exquisite venues were destroyed, including those we visited during that blissful time we spent in Maui. Here is a link to
“Where Are They Now” with details about the shops and restaurants’ plans to return or not.

It’s easy to recall the days we walked through the village, reveling in its wonders. Not much for shopping, it was still enchanting to imagine purchasing some of the expensive artwork and home decor, along with clothing, accessories, and jewelry, formerly in abundance in the area.

We dined at the delicious and bountiful “Cheeseburger in Paradise” in Lahaina, which is now destroyed by the fire that had the best and most enormous hamburgers in the land and the most delicious Cobb Salad I’ve had anywhere in the world. Hopefully, someday, it, too, will be rebuilt. There’s another such restaurant in Waikiki Beach in Oahu, Hawaii, which we will visit when and if we can return.

We hope to return to Maui, Hawaii, someday when Lahaina is rebuilt to its historic charm. We pray for those who lost loved ones during the horrific fire and for those homeowners and business owners who lost all that they loved and treasured.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 27, 2014:

A lava flow advances across the pasture between the Pahoa cemetery and Apaa Street, engulfing a barbed wire fence, near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island of Hawaii on Sunday.
Lava flowed from Mount Kilauea while we were near this location while staying in Pahoa, Big Island. (Not our photo). For more, please click here.

New search feature for best travel pricing…

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Surfers were enjoying a sunny morning in Maui, as seen from the beach at our condo.

We understand that not everyone prefers to use Google as their browser and search engine. Over the years, including recently, I have tried many other search engines, but I always return to Google’s familiarity.

Choosing Google Search over other search engines often comes down to a few key factors:

  1. Relevance and Accuracy: Google’s algorithm prioritizes relevant, quality results. Its extensive data collection and advanced machine learning models help deliver highly accurate results based on a user’s intent, browsing behavior, and the latest content on the web.
  2. User-Friendly Interface: Google’s interface is clean and intuitive, which has remained consistent over the years. It’s designed to give quick, effective results without distractions, making the search experience straightforward.
  3. Diverse Search Features: Google includes various search tools, including news, image, video, and map results. Features like Google’s Knowledge Graph provide rich snippets for popular topics and questions, often delivering answers at the top of the results.
  4. Personalization: Google tailors search results based on past behavior (if signed in), making it feel like the engine knows your preferences. This can be especially useful for repeated searches and areas of ongoing interest.
  5. Access to Global and Local Information: Due to its widespread popularity, Google Search is often more up-to-date with local listings, services, and geographical information than other search engines.
  6. Integration with Google’s Ecosystem: For those using other Google products (like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Calendar), Google Search is deeply integrated. It can streamline searching across Google services.

While these features make Google popular, privacy concerns have led some users to explore alternatives like DuckDuckGo, which doesn’t track user data, or Bing, which has perks like Microsoft Rewards. However, Google remains a top choice for those focused on quick, precise, and convenient searching.

Because I prefer Google, the following Travel and Leisure Magazine article resonated with me.

“Google Flights Rolls Out New Search Filter to Help Travelers Score the Lowest Possible Airfare

Travelers will be able to search by the “cheapest” options.

Alison Fox
Published on October 17, 2024

Google is adding a new “cheapest” tab feature to flight searches to make hunting for a good deal even easier.

The search engine will soon allow travelers to sort Google Flight search results by the absolute most cost-effective option by tapping on a new “cheapest” tab, and Google will share it with Travel + Leisure. The results will then populate with options that save money but may include less convenient itineraries like longer layovers, self-transfers between airports, or being forced to use multiple airlines or booking sites for different legs of the trip.

Beyond the update, Google typically sorts flight searches by price and convenience, with the top results combining both.

“On Google Flights, we’ve traditionally shown the best options for your trip based on a mix of price, convenience, and ease of booking. But sometimes, cheaper options are available – especially if you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of convenience,” a Google spokesperson told T+L. “With this upgrade, you’ll see more options with lower prices for an upcoming trip, and then decide for yourself what tradeoffs you want to make.”

Google said the budget-friendly update will roll out globally over the next two weeks. With the update, travelers can choose between the “best” and “cheapest” flight results.

Beyond this budget-conscious update, Google has introduced a host of tools over the years to help travelers save money, like a feature that tells customers when prices on their potential trip have been the lowest and predicts how much they will save by either booking immediately or waiting. It also offers travelers the ability to set up flight tracking and alerts.

The update comes as travelers prepare to take to the skies for the holidays. Google says October is the best time to book Thanksgiving and Christmas trips.

We realize that Google uses our personal information to bombard us with ads. Still, based on our lifestyle and often lack of exposure to new products and services in the US marketplace, we find some ads to be informational.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 26, 2014:

Many of the quaint little shops in Lahaina, mostly pricey, were filled with beautiful merchandise. However, after the fire, many of these are gone. See tomorrow’s post for details. For more, please click here.

Good day, Everyone!…We’re back…

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Most shoppers in Hawaii prefer to buy shelled macadamia nuts that are roasted and salted.

It’s been an excellent past 24 hours. We were busy doing some tasks in the hotel room, talking on the phone with family and friends, and continuing my workout regime. Today, it’s been two months since we left Minnesota to drive to Cleveland. That seems like so long ago.

We enjoyed our second night of “takeaway food,” which was Asian beef salad for me and Chinese sweet and sour pork with rice for Tom. Tom had Costco pumpkin pie for dessert, and I had a slice of homemade keto cream cheese pie. After dinner at 8:00 pm, we watched a disappointing Minnesota Vikings football game and went off for bed when it ended around 11:00 pm.

For some reason, I awoke at 3:00 am and couldn’t get back to sleep until after 5:30. Instead, I read articles on my phone after trying to doze off with no luck. Finally, around 6:00 am, I drifted off and slept until 9:00 am. I feel good today after a total good number of hours of sleep overall.

Today is a quiet day. Once I finish today’s post, I go to the fitness center to work out. Hopefully, the housekeepers will do our scheduled deep clean today. However, they often don’t do it on the expected day, Friday, because they say they are too busy. Getting a daily refresh has reduced the issues we were having. They come at different times each day, but we are used to it and don’t feel as if we’re sitting around waiting for them.

Yesterday, in My Chart, the company that reviewed the two-week heart rate monitor finally posted the results of my tests. There were dozens of comments about heart rhythm issues, including Paroxysmal AFib, PVCs, AV block, P wave morphology, Supraventricular Tachycardia, and more. I am waiting to hear from the electrophysiologist (a cardiac cardiologist specializing in heart rhythm issues) to discuss my upcoming heart procedures in February.

I’d hoped the results would be better and we could leave here earlier than February. However, after seeing the test results, I imagine we will have to stay for the additional tests and the procedures in February. Thus, we have four more months to go before we can leave.

Working out is not easy, and it’s challenging to stay motivated when it’s so difficult. For this very reason, I must continue to try each day. Some days are more complex than others, but I make a point of increasing the difficulty daily in small increments to ensure I am making progress.

The satisfaction I feel after working out each day is indescribable. Working out, especially when desperately needed, boosts one’s confidence in one’s health and well-being if not life in general. Although I am upbeat and optimistic, this physical boost is just what I need right now. That alone motivates me to go downstairs to the fitness center each day.

It’s getting cool in Cleveland. We have yet to turn on the heat in our room, but surely, in weeks to come, it will be necessary. We don’t go outside much and only have lightweight jackets for the upcoming times we’ll be heading out.

That’s all I have today, folks.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 25, 2014:

This is a view from an overlook along the highway as we drove to Lahaina, destroyed by a horrific fire a few years ago. For more photos, please click here.

Is reviewing travel advisories at the US State Department (or state departments in other countries) enough for international travel?

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The wharf was a few blocks from the condo in Maui in 2014.

When we first began traveling the world in 2012, we never failed to read travel advisories from the US State Department, which can be found here. The problem we encountered is that they often didn’t appear updated to date, which required an additional search on their site:” travel advisories 2024.”

Scrolling through the advisories, you will see many started in 2024. However, those listed for earlier dates, such as 2023, can mislead some travelers, who assume these warnings are older and may have expired. All they’d have to do is add another column, “date advisory was first issued.”

After experiencing much confusion recently about the processing of Medicare claims, it’s not surprising that US State Department Travel Advisory information could be equally confusing. When reviewing the warnings for a country you intend to visit, it’s imperative to carefully read the entry to determine if traveling to that country is riskier at this time than visiting other seemingly safer locations.

Much to our dismay, the State Department listings do not include crime-ridden cities in the US. If foreign travelers were to use this US resource to guide their travels, they may end up booking hotels and venues in areas many US citizens wouldn’t consider safe to visit.

No country, including the US, is exempt from crime, including the risks of pickpocketing and violent crime. So, how do travelers reassure themselves that their chosen destination(s) are safe? Research, research, and research! Check police department records and national and local statistics, and search for recent (past 12 months) news stories. Ask other travelers who have traveled to particular cities you plan to visit.

Although not explicitly related to the US State Department, here is a good website with statistics.

Most often, a country may be safe overall, but specific cities should be avoided. Simply because a city or town is a popular tourist attraction doesn’t mean it is entirely safe to visit. Cape Town, South Africa, is listed as the #12 most dangerous (murders) city in the world, but that doesn’t prevent us from going to South Africa to live in the bush. Cleveland, where we are now, is listed at #27, but we don’t feel unsafe here. Please do your research.

However, along with all of your discoveries, it’s imperative to exercise caution wherever you may travel and secure documents such as passports, digital equipment, wallets, and credit cards. Never carry a bag that doesn’t require at least a zipper to access contents, although more complicated access is preferable.

Do not, under any circumstances, get involved in road rage or other conflicts, regardless of how difficult it may be to control your opinions and emotions. Stream the TV series “Road Rage” (Prime, Hulu, and others) to convince you further to avoid road rage and angry public outbursts at all costs. It’s just not worth it.

Reviewing travel advisories from the U.S. State Department is essential in trip planning, especially for international travel. Here’s why it’s so important:

  1. Safety and Security Awareness: Travel advisories provide up-to-date information about potential risks in specific countries, such as political unrest, natural disasters, terrorism, crime, or health risks. This knowledge can help you avoid areas with heightened dangers.
  2. Entry and Exit Requirements: Countries sometimes change their entry rules due to political conditions, public health concerns, or security situations. Advisories often include visa requirements, vaccination needs, and travel restrictions.
  3. Local Laws and Customs: Understanding a destination’s cultural and legal landscape helps prevent misunderstandings or inadvertent legal issues. Travel advisories often outline behaviors that could be frowned upon or illegal.
  4. Insurance and Travel Plans: Some insurance policies may not cover you in countries with high-level travel advisories. Reviewing the advisories allows you to adjust your insurance accordingly and make more informed decisions about going or delaying your trip.
  5. Emergency Preparedness: Travel advisories for emergencies include contacts for U.S. embassies or consulates and steps to take if you are in a crisis.
  6. Understanding the Situation Beyond the Headlines: The media might focus on dramatic events, but travel advisories often provide a more nuanced and localized assessment of the situation.

Ultimately, reviewing these advisories gives you peace of mind, ensuring you’re prepared to handle potential risks. While it might seem like just another item on the travel checklist, it’s a proactive way to safeguard your journey.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today,  October 23, 2014:

The sky at sunset at the condo in Maui, Hawaii. For more photos, please click here.

We voted!…It was great to receive our ballots at our mailing service…Although no political talk here…

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We loved seeing this colorful juice truck in Maui. Although we don’t drink fruit juices or sweetened beverages, it was fun to see.

We haven’t always been able to vote while living in foreign countries, mainly because the ballots didn’t arrive in time to get to us while living in a foreign country and to have them returned in time for the deadline. We were finally able to vote because we were in the US now.

Our mailing service in Nevada notified us, as they always do, that new mail arrived with a photo of the outside of the arriving envelope. When we saw it was our ballots, we immediately requested they be forwarded to us at this hotel. We received them in about five days by USPS since we didn’t need to get them any sooner.

While living in the US temporarily, we could complete our ballots and mail them in the provided envelopes in plenty of time for the election. That was quite a relief.

Also, this week, I took care of some medical bills that needed to be paid by Medicare and my Plan G supplement. It’s incredible how long it takes for many Medicare bills to be paid. These bills come in my name, and I am constantly aware of protecting my credit when some medical bills can be outstanding for months. I’m sure other seniors are familiar with these issues.

A few days ago, I started working out on the hotel’s fitness center’s elliptical machine. Since I’ve spent the last year with heart rhythm issues, I have become unfit, which was unlikely for me in years past. I sometimes feel unsteady and have had to work hard to maintain my balance when walking, even from room to room in our hotel.

The wheelchair we purchased in Minnesota three months ago has had plenty of use. I cannot allow myself to become wheelchair-bound when I know that with proper exercise, I can rebuild my strength and stamina and no longer need to use the wheelchair. For most, like me,  it’s nearly impossible to work out with frequent heart rhythm issues. When my heart feels as if it’s pounding out of my chest, it’s hard to be motivated to increase my heart rate further by exercising. That’s been me over the past year.

Sure, I’ve attempted to walk the corridors and outdoors around the hotel buildings back in Minnesota, but I haven’t made the progress I hoped for. A few days ago, as mentioned above, I started working out in the health club, building muscle instead of just walking.

The first day, I barely got myself up and on the elliptical. My legs are so weak, even with the walking I have been doing. The nice thing about the elliptical is it uses arms and legs, building strength in both. The first time I tried it, I carefully watched my heart rate to ensure it didn’t get too high. I was shocked I could only do a few minutes the first few times. My legs were willing to continue. My heart was not.

Knowing this, I will take it slow and gradually build up the pace and number of minutes, using my heart rate as a guide. Since we’ll be here much longer, I have plenty of time to work on this. I’ll lift some light weights once I get up to about 10 minutes on the elliptical. By then, I’ll have enough strength to avoid injuring myself.

Tonight, we’re repeating last night’s dinner, making everything fresh again. When we have the same meats for three days, we cook them fresh each day, including side dishes and salad.

That’s it for today, dear readers. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. Just think.—In four months, we’ll be on the move. That’s so exciting for both of us.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 22, 2014:

This receipt from Safeway in Maui, Hawaii, ten years ago is interesting to read in today’s market conditions. For more, please click here.