Lifemagician's 2009 Summer Road Trip

[Southwest Dave]

Me too, it's been great !
Enjoy your precious time with the family and we will look forward to any updates from California.
[I'll be sure to wave as you shoot through Colorado ;-) ]

[Lifemagician]

Lifey,

I've thoroughly enjoyed your travel journal entries, particularly when I could overcome pure jealousy that I cannot at this point in my life take such a trip.

Foy, glad you enjoyed it, but hey buddy, don't be jealous - it is such a waste of energy - just start planning. Few folk are aware that I had graced this planet for six decades before I ever set out on my first road trip.

I see you're headed to Cholame, CA, to the James Dean Memorial Junction. If your visit happens to be on 30 September at 5:59pm local time, it will be 54 years to the hour from the wreck which claimed his life......

Foy

Unfortunately, no!! It will be on 12th October. But it is a thought! Maybe next time.

Lifey thinks that would be unreal

[Foy]

While I haven't reached my 60th year, yet, I am already planning a 30 day RoadTrip for July 2010. I'm going to the Big Hole, MT! Hopefully to be followed by 30 days, more or less, of Winter RoadTripping, sampling the offbeat ski mountains of UT, ID, and MT. See, you're already an inspiration!

Somewhere I've read that a crowd of the faithful gathers at Cholame each year on 30 September, just before 6pm local time. That would be a seriously cool vigil to participate in.

Safe travels,

Foy

[Lifemagician]

While I haven't reached my 60th year, yet, ..........
Foy

So I guess you would not even remember any of those heady days.

Thems was the days!! The good ol' days??

[Mark Sedenquist]

Lifey,

With all of this increase in your personal road trip lore knowledgebase, once you return home, I hope we can count on your continued sharing of experiences with members planning their own trips -- your recent real-life experiences will be invaluable to their planning for months to come!

Mark

[UKCraig]

That is quite a trip! Bet you can't wait to get home? How did you get a visa for so long? The embassy in London pretty much told me to forget it when I wanted a 6 month tourist visa - they said they just don't give them out anymore and it was the VWP or nothing.

[Lifemagician]

Mark,

That was my first reaction.

Seriously, it will be an honour and my pleasure to share and give back some of what I received from this site and the many forum members. Each of my four trips has been better than the one before, and this one was the tops, thanks to all the information and suggestions I have read here. I shall also continue to refer folk to this site. I genuinely think it is tops.

Thanks.

Lifey who can't think of anything relevant to put here

[Lifemagician]

That is quite a trip! Bet you can't wait to get home? How did you get a visa for so long? The embassy in London pretty much told me to forget it when I wanted a 6 month tourist visa - they said they just don't give them out anymore and it was the VWP or nothing.

Craig,

It was in 2004, when I wanted to visit my family for more than three months, that I wrote to the US Consulate in Melbourne. I asked if it was possible to get permission to go for five months, to cover the birthdays of family members in the US. I was sent a form to fill in, which I duly did (it is also available on the internet), and submitted it. When I picked up my passport I found that I had a five year visa, permitting me entry into the US for up to six months at a time, during those five years. When it expired early this year, I filled in a renewal form. Each time I had to give proof of residency in Australia, and a good reason to return. My grandchildren at home were sufficient to satisfy them. Home ownership and ongoing job commitments are other acceptable proof of desire to return. (Of course this may be specific to Australia.) Frankly I have no idea why anyone would not want to return. Great as it is to visit, I would hate to have to live in the US.

Lifey who would be happy to email you the form

p.s. On second thought, it may be something they do for visiting a family member.

[Linus]

I was impressed after visiting with you in Panera's in Moline yesterday.

Being deaf, I'm sure I missed some of what you said, but following the website on your card led me eventually to this site.

What an interesting trip (I read all 12 pages); and you are now preparing for your return home in October?

Post more here so we will know when you have returned home.

Pat Westerdale (Linus)

[Lifemagician]

Whenever I meet a person, be it on the road, in a cafe or restaurant, or wherever, I leave them with my business card specifically designed for this trip. [Before every trip (or activity) I undertake, I order my free business cards.]

I had been at Panera's for a while, and was about to pack up and go, when she sat down at a table near mine, facing away from me. Obviously a senior - I found out later that she has many years on me - and walking with the aid of a walking stick, she put down her drink, stick and bag, and proceeded to get out her computer.

I was impressed!

Not to play cards; not even just to check her email. This lovely lady who is in her 80's is a member of senior learning, and designed their website and runs the book group on the site. When it comes to computer knowledge she leaves me for dead!

When I commented on her walking with the stick, she told me that I should see her with her walker. She'd leave me behind there too.

Another great meeting with a most inspiring soul.

Thanks Pat.

Lifey