As you are reading this, I am delightedly sitting on one of the glorious beaches in Southern California, having traded snow and slush for sun and surf. That’s right, the 2022 Fates on Tour has already started here in January and it’s full steam ahead for the next 11 months!
Regular readers know that I was able to really hit my travel stride last year with over 19 regional and domestic trips and I aim to double down on that in 2022. My itinerary is packed and brimming and while my travel points balance has taken some level of depletion, I’m positively raring to go!
In all candor, I have to admit that this Winter here in the Washington countryside has been somewhat a bit of a mental challenge, what with a good deal of sunless days of gloom that also consist of nearly 15 hours of darkness. Not to mention, sundry mobility inconveniences from the snow and ice. I can now truly understand why so many folks have a compulsion to head to warmer climes this time of year or just altogether bug-out as proverbial snowbirds for the entirety of the Winter season!
So, I figured it would be a far better idea to metaphorically chill in Southern California rather than to literally chill here in the Inland Northwest and booked a couple weeks in LaLa-Land to formally begin Fates on Tour. In addition, I am in the process of reuniting my former punk band and we have scheduled our 1st rehearsals to coincide with my visit. It should certainly be an epic adventure!
Oh, the places you’ll go!
Dr. Seuss
KICK OUT THE JAMS
The fact that the first trip is somewhat music-oriented is a somewhat fitting precursor as much of my travel this year is to see live music as many of my favorites are finally getting back out there. It’s been devilish to endure nearly 2 years without seeing and hearing music in a live setting. Unfortunately, my 1st music trip to the UK for early February was self-scuttled with the emerging Omicron situation and the subsequent travel advisory. That said, I’m planning to get to Scotland in August and London in December.
The other music trips have me headed to Southern California a few times and then to San Francisco, Portland and Seattle. On top of that, I’m making sojourns to Wisconsin, Phoenix and Chicago to see more bands. In addition, I’m flying to Boise in February to rehearse with my drummer from the punk band before we all get together in March for more full rehearsals. I’m really, really excited about finally getting to see and play music again. It should be a blast.
URBAN & OUTDOORS
Aside from music-related travel, I also have a number of trips planned to see friends and do some urban adventure. From San Luis Obispo to Scottsdale, to Coeur D’Alene, I have them covered. Also, I’m headed back to Portland for the amazing Rose City Comic Con and then to Seattle later in the year for the Emerald City Con!
Regular readers know I am a huge outdoors lover and I’ve got some great camping trips planned. Outside of the regular weeklong camping trip with my nerd gang, I’m also returning to the gorgeous Pend Orielle river for another 4 days of spectacular kayaking and fishing. I’m also doing a similar trip on Lake Roosevelt. And, of course, there’s the annual trip to Catalina for more fishing and kayaking!
THE BIG QUESTION?
While all the above will keep me moving at a pretty furious pace, my largest, and most hopeful, trip is to Japan. You might recall my folly last year where I planned a massive 3-week trip only to forget to check if they were allowing tourists in. (Spoiler: they were not and still aren’t as of this writing). I’ve been following news over there as well as reading some Japanese travel blogs and the prevailing consensus seems to be that there is about a 60% probability that Japan will open to vaccinated tourists later this year. Which would be great as I’d like to visit in November. Anyway, we’ll see.
That’s about it for now. I’ve got to go re-apply some more sun block and take a dip in the Pacific. Enjoy and, if you’re inclined, follow me over on Twitter to see snaps of Fates On Tour as the epic travels of 2022 continue.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Any fun adventures or trips planned that you’re looking forward to this year? If so, I’d love to hear from you.
Well no one could ever accuse you of slacking off in retirement, eh? Sounds like another great year of adventure, and getting the band back together also sounds like it should be interesting. We’re still slogging through the Covid situation, with two small unvaccinated kids and these onerous jobs. But we we’re hoping to pack in a few adventures of our own this year, hopefully the wold will cooperate!
Enjoy the sun dude, your year sounds absolutely packed. I was never a big planner and usually did trips on a whim, so the pandemic suits me well as I’ve known so many people who planned ahead only to have to cancel or change. That said, I have no clue what trips I’ll do this year yet. Glad to hear you’ll be jammin with old friends, your fans want to hear some tunage!
dong it just like the motor city 5, mr. fate. enjoy your travels. i hope you get to make your overseas trips this year. we’re off to (hopefully) sunny florida on monday. hopefull oysters and fine wine are on the menu.
we’re on the guest list for gang of four here in buffalo at the end of february. i hope the event happens. salud!
Congrats on Sojourn 2022! I can relate to the gloom of Winter. When I early retired the end of 2017 we decided to leave the cold and head to Scottsdale. We are now in our fifth year hiking, biking and walking. We’re now up to 10 weeks so have officially graduated to Snowbird status. I’m intrigued by you me bands tour which includes Phoenix and Scottsdale area. If you’re here before the end of March, would love to show you a great hike or two and buy you a beer. Cheers.
Stan
Nice. Life is a bit sweeter when there’s plenty of things to look forward to. I’m also casually starting to plan our annual vacation again for this year. We’ll probably stay in this hemisphere this go around, somewhere warm like you’ve done. I personally think that planning for travel/vacation is just as much fun as actually going on the trip, really its part of the trip. I’m hoping you get to Japan. My fingers are crossed that this last variant is burning itself out. You wouldn’t believe how many people I know have it, and most have the jab. Anyway, enjoy your travels. Look forward to reading about them.