The Thrill of Living in a Rut?

While many people find living in a rut secure and comfortable, others may not be so pleased. Comfort in familiar surroundings on a continual basis is not living life to the fullest for many folks. If you desire to widen your life, take a deep breath and venture outside your comfort zone.

Ruts become deeper as you age?

It seems that the older one grows, the more at risk that person is for digging a deeper rut to crawl into to feel comfy and secure. I am not saying that all people are like this. What I am trying to say is that I think ruts are way too comfortable and safe for many of us. I tend to become a little bit too comfortable in my daily routine.

My hubby and I used to travel with the kids every year to destinations that offered excitement and fun. We traveled mostly to Florida because we had family living there, and we found a wealth of activities, fun things to do, and places to visit. We could live a lifetime in Florida and not see all we wanted to see.

Another vacation hot spot for us as a family was Niagara Falls. We enjoyed taking the children to Canada to camp and enjoy the sights. We hold onto these memories tightly as we have gotten older and for the most part sit in our self-made ruts and reminisce about how much fun and enjoyment a vacation offered us in the past years.

Do you find yourself in a rut?

Right off hand, I know of a few reasons why many people tend to be more content to remain where we plant ourselves. You may agree, or not that,

• The economic system has a heap to do with having adequate funds to travel and enjoy a nice get-a-way.
• Traveling via car has a lot to do with how high the gasoline prices rise.
• Threats of terror attacks and unknown dangers making traveling unappealing.
• The thoughts of packing and unpacking are burdensome
• Fighting the crowds is now on your list.

Years ago, traveling overseas and even throughout the United States did not bring about the anxiety and safety concerns as it does today for a lot of folks. The increased risk of terror in other countries and throughout the United States gives you second thoughts of leaving the security of your home and city.

When you are traveling, you must be ever vigilant of terror attacks, of being mugged, or robbed. You must have eyes in the back of your head. You can never concentrate on any single thing while traveling. You must be aware of your surroundings and what is going on about you at all times.

When you are in public places, you must be vigilant about the people around you and what they are doing and how they are acting. You must report any suspicious activities or deeds by others to the proper agencies.

Pick a high-crime city for a fun adventure.

As I traveled to Chicago (the highest crime rated city) one weekend with my sister, we were waiting to be called to get into line at the gate, the agent announced:

"Train travelers always be on the lookout for suspicious people and activities. If anyone sees suspicious activities, you need to report this at once to the agents for Amtrak."

This announcement only cemented my apprehensions.

Security on an Amtrak is nothing at all. It is not like the strict security one finds at airports across the globe. Amtrak warns travelers against taking packages and boxes from strangers aboard the train and offer other safety measures for passengers. Aside from these few tips by Amtrak, it is up to the passengers to assure self-safety.

The cost of travel has increased over the years and continues to grow with each passing year. What little I leave my rut these days, I look for senior discounts (I never imagined I would do this in my wildest dreams). I look for rebates, special rates, and package deals.

What is your traveling preference?

• Does your desire lay in cruise ship travel?
• Do you like to travel by tour bus?
• Do you prefer to fly?
• Do you prefer to travel by car, camper, or Motorhome?

People who are in a hurry and want to get where they are going in record speed like to fly.

My favorite mode of travel is Amtrak. My second favorite mode of travel is by car. Traveling by car means we can take our time and see sights not usually seen when traveling by train or plane.

Do you prefer travel by air?

Taking a plane anywhere is costly, and I never did enjoy flying, so it does not bother me to fly. When I have to fly, it is because of some catastrophic event, and I need to get to my destination quickly.

When I fly, it is usually with my husband, and by the time, the plane lands my poor hubby has bruises on his upper thigh where I have held on so tightly. Yes, I hear you saying, "Silly woman, why there is nothing to flying." As you probably guessed, I have a fear of heights and flying does not help my fears.

The last time I flew was over twenty years ago, and this is fine with me. I remember as the plane gained altitude, this friendly, handsome pilot came on the speaker and told us to enjoy the sun and the beautiful day.

The pilot then announced:

"Folks, it is a great day for flying, and we are now cruising at an altitude of 38,000 feet. Please sit back and enjoy your flight."

I did not need to hear the pilot say this and I thought to myself, "Well, he did not have to add that part, why we must be nearly in outer space." I then thought, "Gee, if there were no floor in this plane my feet would be dangling at 38,000 feet!"

When I fly, I get these wild and crazy thoughts. These thoughts cause me to grab onto my husband's leg a bit tighter. Yep, that rut I am in looks pretty darn good as I nervously cruise about in outer space at 38,000 feet.

On this particular flight, the ticket agent offered us first-class business seats. It seems as though the coach seats were overbooked. It did not take us long to decide, and this proved to be an illuminating experience.

Soon after taking off the flight attendant handed me a silver platter with hot washcloths. I glanced at my hubby, and he glanced back at me raising his eyebrows and smiling he took his warm towel and waited for me, and I did not have a clue.

I watched with bated breath and saw my neighbor wash their hands and face, so I followed suit. "Huh? Oh yeah, OK, I get it now!" The action of this stewardess was further evidence that hubby and I do not leave our ruts much.

No, we are not stupid people, but we are not used to the perks of flying first class. The flight attendant was preparing the business section for their prime rib dinner, which I was also not used to eating. We are content with our hot dogs and hamburgers. I am not saying for one minute that we did not enjoy our prime rib dinner; it was yummy to the last bite.

Both my husband and I have served the public over 60 years. We are laid back and comfortable waiting on other people. We do not know how to be waited on by others and feel uncomfortable when we find others waiting on us. I must admit though, it would not take much for me to get used to this lifestyle.

I was happy to be offered a drink because flying first class or not; I was skittish, especially as our beautiful day turned into a lightning storm from 'Hell' and the plane went into a great deal of turbulence. As I sat nervously through that storm feeling like I was riding a roller-coaster, I wanted another drink so bad, but was not sure I should ask, too bad.

Do you like to travel by train?

Amtrak Trips are great.

The Train, Crutches, and Three Small Kids

The last time I took the train, my kids were five, seven, and nine, and I had a cast on my right leg and was walking with crutches.

My husband was going to school that week in Chicago. I knew nothing about ruts at the time because I did not have time to laze in a self-made rut, nursing full-time and raising three kids. I wish someone would have enlightened me to the fact that ruts do exist. I would have found mine and stayed there if for a short rest.

I decided that it would be fun for the kids and me to take the Amtrak to Chicago to meet my husband on his last day of school. We planned to meet for lunch and give him company on his drive back to Michigan.

My husband wanted to know how in the world he was going to find us at the Chicago train station. I just said, "Have no worries ole hubby of mine, the kids and I will meet you just outside the door of the train station." I indeed thought that the Grand Central Station was like our little old station at home.

This train ride was fun for everyone and an excellent adventure for all of us. Of course, while on the train the kids suddenly became hungry and wanted lunch. However, I could not justify three grilled cheese sandwiches for $12. This was the cheapest thing on the menu.

So, our lunch meal consisted of overpriced M&M's and sodas. I got to the end of the lunch line, and the man behind the counter said something to me of which I did not hear, so I kindly replied, "Yes, thank you," and proceeded on my way.

The kids and I worked our way back to our seats and my eldest son said, "Mom, why did you thank that man, when he asked you for a tip?" I was horrified and could not show my face at that counter again. I told the kids if they wanted anything else they could wait until later. I wish I had known about ruts, I would have crawled into one.

As the train pulled into the station, I found out that there were four front doors and more levels than I could count. I thought I could go in and out one entry leading to a simple platform and there my hubby would be waiting for us.

The only way the kids and I found my husband was to climb up two flights of stairs, (on crutches), stand at the balcony, and scan the thousands of changing faces running here, and there.

That day a red shirt caught my eye, and it was my hubby. Believe me please, when I say he was the only person, man, woman, or child, wearing a red shirt in all those thousands of people!

I told the kids to, "Yell, yell and yell louder to get his attention." They were delighted to comply. He finally heard and saw them. I was not prepared to become forever lost in Chicago with three little tykes and me with a pair of crutches.

My husband never lets me forget my no worries attitude. I do not know how I did this or what in the world, I was thinking to go on a trip like this with my leg in a cast, walking on crutches with three small children in tow. Call me crazy, I guess.

Listen quietly and keep quiet!

I went on a recent trip to Chicago with my sister. At this time I did not know much about train travel as the above happened a long time ago.

All she would say is, "Follow me; I will break you in, keep quiet and just follow me." I was thinking about my comfortable rut at home and wondered why I would leave my security rut for this confusion.

On this trip, I had so many questions about why this or why that and I could not keep my mouth shut until my sister gave me an eye-piercing glare and did this screw thing with her lips that put a scare into the pit of my stomach.

She reiterated, "Just wait a minute, will you please, and, for the last time keep your mouth shut!"

I looked around at the many faces fighting for their place in line. I heard a few people say, "I just do not where to go or what to do next." I now knew that there were other people out there just like me. I would merely shout back at them,

"This is my sister, and she knows everything, ask her!"

My sister told me one day,

"Before I die you will spend a night or two on the Amtrak, I want you to have the experience of tossing and turning in your bunk, it is a whole lot of fun. No worries, the bunks have seat belts to help keep you in bed."

Why would want the experience of the train throwing me around while I sleep and I hate seat belts especially on my bed? This question is one I would like to ask my sister, but I do not dare? I am keeping my mouth shut.

I am learning to go with the flow and not ask questions too much anymore. I keep my mouth shut and follow the leader. I hope she knows where she is going.

Do you prefer travel by bus?

Last year my sister talked my husband and I into signing up for an overnight casino trip in January. The trip is $200 per person, and each person receives $170 back in food, a luxury hotel room, and other perks. This package deal is through the senior citizens of our city.

Senior citizens? When did I get that old? I am not a senior, yet, I am too young to be this old.

This trip is going to be by bus, which I have never done before and it sounds like it will be fun. January is always a little bit of a let down from the Christmas holidays, so it will be good to get out of my secure rut, even if it is with a bunch of seniors.

I hope they do not notice that I am a lot younger and possibly do not belong. I thought that if I keep quiet, (I am good at that,) no one will suspect a thing.

Maybe we will win big and be able to go to some unknown destination via Amtrak and spend the night again tied to my bed with a seat belt!

What is the definition of fun?

The Many Meanings of Fun!

Fun has many different meanings to many different people. Fun for one is not necessarily fun for all. Pick your fun niche and enjoy yourself with family and friends before your rut becomes too deep to crawl out.

• If you desire to solo travel you may find some fun in joining a tour group. Groups add a bit more security when you opt to travel alone.
• Fun is riding for six hours in a cramped tour bus with a bunch of seniors heading to a casino?
• Fun is when you are running to hopefully catch the right Amtrak train with a 30-pound backpack filled with homemade sausage and two big bottles of wine, towing two overpacked suitcases.
• Fun is taking off your shoes, emptying all pockets, and possibly being strip searched at an airport.
• Fun is going through an electrical storm and lousy turbulence 38,000 feet up in an airplane.
• Fun is always looking over your shoulder and being aware of surroundings at all times.

Venturing out of your comfort zone (rut) can open new doors of opportunity, new friends offering lifetime relationships, and bountiful memories.

While rut sitting is grossly secure, it is not as fun as trying something new at least once a year.

I did enjoy the November weekend getaway to Chicago on Amtrak? Yes, I did in spite of the train station crowds.

Getaways are a vital part of living life to the fullest for the young adult to the senior populace. You tend to return home with spirits, minds, and bodies refreshed.

The world is a dangerous place for everyone these days, and when you venture outside your secure home, you must be aware of the many dangers possibly awaiting you. You must remember, there are still a lot of decent and helpful people who are a joy to rub elbows with and meet in passing when on vacation or for a simple get-a-way.

If you are content to stay at home, there is nothing wrong with this decision. If you are not satisfied and want to widen your horizons, but are still on the side of skeptical, take the chance and step out of your comfort zone and see what awaits you.

You never know until you try. Remember that because the world is what it is today, you cannot quit living life to the fullest. There are still a lot of good people that we share this world with.