Turning 50...Looking for ideas!

[KathiCville]

Hi.......I'm hitting the big 50 next month (April 23). I had been planning to take my darling canine on a multi-week cross-country trip to celebrate, but have had to put it off for an assortment of reasons. So I'm now casting about for a great week-long outing for myself to mark the big day. I turned 40 in Paris (greeaaat fun!), but am so behindhand in planning for my 50th that I think I'll limit myself to "domestic" options here in the U.S.

I've started poking around online looking for supported bike trips, fly fishing camps, spas, creative retreats of one stripe or another. But have not been coming up with much. Late April seems to be "off-season" for a lot of things........I hike and bike, do a bit of yoga, love being outdoors, love to garden (and see 'em, too). Would like to be somewhere beautiful doing something interesting and life-affirming. ;):) I live in Virginia, so would prefer to 'get outta town' and head elsewhere.......Thoughts? Maybe tours (and tour companies) you've enjoyed? Retreats? Schools? Special places? Memorable (domestic) adventures? Other ideas? Thanks!

[tulip]

I turned 40 last fall and did a week long trip in Vermont with Bike Vermont. It was a great way to celebrate.

Personally, though, I'd vote for Paris again!

[mimitabby]

Sounds like you're ready for a bike tour!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think it's a great idea to turn 50....definitely go for it! :D :D ;)


(I'm turning 54 on April 26!)

[SlowButSteady]

My 50th will be in November.

I'm going to try to do what I call the Okefenokee Challenge. Starting at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Folkston, GA, I want to kayak or canoe across the swamp to Stephen Foster State Park outside of Fargo, GA.

Then I will ride back to Folkston by road bike, a distance of 96 miles.

I hope. Depends on whether or not there's any water in the swamp, fires, etc that will choke off part of the canoe trails.

Georgia's been mighty dry for a long time and fires last year effectively closed off some of the area to paddling, or so I hear.

[Starfish]

Go arctic! I didn't get to do this (below), but I did get to go to AK for the first time for my birthday in January...Fairbanks. I am dying to go back...there is an enormous system of trails with cabins there that you can Xcountry ski into. But, check out the site below. It looks really intriguing.

http://www.alaskaultrasport.com/tours_trips/Trips.html

Or, for something completely different (you mentioned schools):

http://www.thecoaches.com/coactive.html

I don't know your background, but this introductory coaching course is a weekend thing, and works as a stand alone course that, in my opinion, will enhance just about anything you're doing, and stretch you a bit in the process. Some folks would be challenged more than others, depending on personality and background, but this is a neat course. They have them all over the place, so you could travel to one and incorporate other things into your birthday trip, too.

Whatever you do, have a great time, and good for you for celebrating your own birthday!

[Brandi]

Congrats on turning 50! My dh is turning 50 this month (aarp stuff already showing up in the mail).
We are celebrating by having a 3 day camping weekend with any of our friends who want to join us. It should be great fun! It is my dh's favorite thing to do so it seemed only right to do it for he's big 50.
I hope whatever you do it is awesome! Enjoy and I will raise a glass to you!

[OakLeaf]

I had a wonderful time on a Women's Quest (http://www.womensquest.com/) retreat a couple of years ago. It's what got me back into cycling, actually, besides being just really, really good for the soul.

[KathiCville]

Wow, thanks for the good wishes and ideas! Keep 'em coming! I'm planning to spend part of this (rainy) weekend digging around online to explore my options more.....:D

[Aint Doody]

I recommend checking out Bicycle Adventures. They really pamper you and yet you do some great rides. The rides are mostly in the Pacific NW & CA. I've done 2 of their rides and plan to do another one when I retire--if that ever happens!!

[SouthernBelle]

Have you checked adventure cycling (http://www.adventurecycling.org/tours/index.cfm) or woman tours (http://www.womantours.com/)? I notice one of adventure cycling's supported tours for
April is a 7 day trek in Virginia, right in your neck of the woods.

[Melalvai]

A 50-mile bike ride, at least. :)

[Starfish]

Are you definitely wanting to do this on the actual date...in April? Or, is there any possibility of a delayed thing...like this summer?

[KathiCville]

Hi Starfish........Yeah, I really want to be out and about doing something special that day/week. I had such a blast being away for a whole week celebrating my 40th, that I've long promised myself to do the same for the 50th. (Champagne at The Ritz in Paris on my 40th birthday was cheesy, cliche and utterly, utterly divine, lol! :D).... But by all means share any ideas for summertime, too!

My only tentative plan so far for the summer is to *try* to reschedule a three-week coast-to-coast trip with my dog that I had been hoping to do for the Big 5-0. But that trip will be mostly hiking, rather than biking---and low-key, at that, because my nine-year old furry baby has arthritis.

Thanks, Starfish!

[IFjane]

Kathi - I am afraid I can't offer much in the way of suggestions other than to tell you what I would love to do if I were as old as you! *lol* (ok, ok....I'm OLDER than Kathi but hey, let me dream!)

On my birthdays I have generally been around here (October 28) and ridden the miles of my birthday, but this last year Michael and I spent the weekend at Chincoteague Island on the Eastern Shore of VA - it's FLAT! And we rode a mile for every year of my life (54). The headwinds make up for the hills over there, though. ;)

I only wish you a wonderful adventure on your 50th! If you are willing to wait a couple months, I can definitely suggest some great mid-summer adventures.

See you soon, Kathi! ;):D

[kjay]

I just received the April issue of National Geographic Adventure (Harrison Ford on cover) and the April issue of Outside (The Travel Issue). Both have some really great adventure trips. A lot of ideas in both of these monthlies. Good luck and good hunting.

[Aquila]

I jumped out of an airplane for my first midlife crisis (right after getting myself a leather jacket). For the second one, I bought a hot new vehicle (Trek Pilot). I'm sort of looking forward to number three. (None of these has been tied to birthdays specifically, though.)

I really recommend doing a parachute jump. It's so beautiful up there. Or I'd try SCUBA maybe, or something?

Or a really good walk with your pup! That's always good. :)

Happy birthday soon.

[Bad JuJu]

I've taken a Womantours trip that was wonderful. It was a short one (4 days on the DelMarVa peninsula, which I stretched out to 5 by doing a day on my own), but they take such great care of you, and they find some interesting routes to ride and unique places to stay.

Slowbutsteady, the "Okefenokee Challenge" sounds like a great idea too. One of my best friends is turning 50 later this year and she wants to kayak the Okefenokee. Maybe I can talk her/train her into doing the cycling part also.

[KathiCville]

Hi....Have been checking out some of the options suggested. What great ideas! So far, the one that looks like a serious possibility is a week-long cycling trip by WomanTours along the Natchez Trace. I'd get to spend my birthday reliving the Battle of Vicksburg, LOL! :D

More ideas welcomed! And, by all means, if you have summertime ideas, toss 'em into the mix. Who knows, I could spend the whole of 2008 marking my half-century! Might be terrific fun.:)

Kathi

[SheFly]

Happy Birthday (early)! I'm turning 40 the following month, and have already started planning... I'm racing the day before my bday, and after the race, will host a big party in our yard. I want to have all of my closest friends and teammates there to help me celebrate. And of course, there will be cake :D.

The first week in June (3 weeks after my bday), I am headed to CA with 2 good friends for 4 days of riding - Napa, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mtns and a coastal route. I haven't been on a vacation "away" for about 3 years, so I am really looking forward to this one.

However you choose to clebrate, I hope it's wonderful!

SheFly

[IFjane]

Who knows, I could spend the whole of 2008 marking my half-century! Might be terrific fun.:)

Kathi

I wanna help! I'm SURE you need someone else along to add to the frivolity!:D

[shootingstar]

Since you live in Virginia, you aren't far from trying something foreign...

go into Quebec ...there is whole bike route, protected from cars ...in the southern part of province from the Montreal area and east...Velo Quebec. http://www.velo.qc.ca/english/index.php The name of the system is Route Verte (Green Route). I believe 4,300 kms. total of all their bike routes.

Yes, you will hear alot more French there...and Montreal, Quebec City you would love, if have ever been curious about francophone culture.

I've cycled on the route and have cycled several times in both Monteral and Quebec City several times. Some cobblestone areas of the city..since areas date back to 1600's.

I turn 50 next yr. and haven't thought of a special experience yet.

[Zen]

go into Quebec ...there is whole bike route, protected from cars ...in the southern part of province from the Montreal area and east...Velo Quebec.


Ooo la la! I would love to do that!

[KathiCville]

Shootingstar...

Thanks for the link to the Route Verte! What a great concept....I've visited both Montreal and Quebec City a couple of times, but it's probably been 20 years.

Any idea what the weather is likely to be in that area in late April? Still pretty cold? Or will spring be kicking in?

I'm waiting to hear back from WomanTours about the Natchez Trace trip. I might be too late to get in. They'll know on Monday whether or not the last spot has been taken.

[Crankin]

We did a supported tour in and around Quebec City in 2006. You rarely hear English in Quebec City and it really felt like I was in Europe. It was awesome. I think it might be pretty cold there in April, though.
My anniversary is in December. For our 25th, we did a bike trip to the Czech Republic and Austria. But, we waited until the next summer. Maybe you could plan some local things for April (DelMarVa sound great) and a bigger trip later on.

[KathiCville]

Thanks, everybody, for your ideas, with special thanks going to SouthernBelle and BadJuJu for the tip about WomanTours. They let me know this morning that there's one opening left on their 7-day Natchez Trace tour (Mississippi) during my birthday week, so I've pounced on it! The Natchez Trace has been on my "visit someday" list for a while, so this will be a perfect chance to enjoy it at a beautiful time of year.............As for the other suggestions (except for jumping out of a plane, LOLLLLL! NOT brave enough!), I'll definitely explore them for non-birthday and general mid-life crisis purposes.:D....And I love the notion of cycling pieces of the Route Verte sometime in the summer, when Virginia gets unbearably hot........Again, thank you, thank you! .............. Feel free to keep posting more ideas!

[Starfish]

How about this!?! :eek: :D :eek:

http://dinnerinthesky.com/index.php

[KathiCville]

Tooooo fabulous, Starfish! Something to think about for my 60th!! :D:D:D:D

[tulip]

I have a friend who rode the Natchez Trace and found it delightful. I think you chose well.

La Route Verte is way up on my list. I've been to Quebec (Montreal, Quebec and the Saguenay) and love it every time I go. It's best to know some French, and don't expect to sound anything like it does in France! As much as I love Quebec, the food (outside the cities) is really pretty dreadful, though.

[sundial]

Kathi, these are domestic get aways and are bike friendly.

Mackinaw Island in MI--only allows horse and buggy, bicycles or foot traffic for transportation.

Lopez Island--very cyclist friendly and located in the San Juan islands. We stayed in a B&B on Orcas Island and LOVED it. So very scenic and beautiful.

[kjay]

Glad you're going with WomanTours. I've biked with them twice, and I really like them. Super people!

[KathiCville]

Love the Mackinaw Island and Lopez Island ideas! I love going to places where cars are a no-no.....Definitely tucking those away for future trips.

Glad, too, to get more confirmation that WomanTours and the Natchez Trace are a great combination. This morning I ordered a short travel/history guide to the Natchez Trace and picked up a collection of short stories by Eudora Welty. The university library here in town has a copy of Welty's "Some Notes on River Country" (I think I've got that right), a long essay about the Natchez Trace and surrounding area. (What can I say? I'm a geek and a historian, so I'll be reading like a fiend before I go!!:D)

[jesvetmed]

If considering coming to the Northwest and hitting the San Juan Islands, keep this on your idea list: http://www.tulipfestival.org/ (http://www.tulipfestival.org)

Some beautiful views if you hit the timing right, and an organized ride, also. But, sometimes a lot of traffic, especially on weekends.

[Zen]

Ooo ooo, I wanna go to Mackinac, too (http://www.mackinac.com/content/general/about.html)!
we can go to Quebec after :p

[jesvetmed]

ZEN: I'd never heard of that, but what a beautiful place! Check out these gorgeous winter photos... a holiday card town!
http://www.photosonmackinac.com/mackphotos/?Main=1&Cat=Winter+Scenes&CategoryID=1&sID=&uID=0

[IFjane]

(What can I say? I'm a geek and a historian, so I'll be reading like a fiend before I go!!:D)

Kathi - you are one of the "funnest" geeks I have ever known! (I threw that word in in case you can use it in a future book! :D

[Bad JuJu]

Congratulations on getting into the Natchez Trace tour! I'd love to bike the trace someday, too. And WomanTours is such a responsible company. Their ride leaders are the best. Plus, a week of cycling with a bunch of other women--how can you beat it? :) Did you tell them you're celebrating your big birthday with this tour? I think you should--they like to make a big deal about anything like that.

Now, here's your mission (should you choose to accept it LOL): We (or at least, I) will want a full report of the experience when you get home. On my last tour, I kept a little journal (a little pocket Moleskine notebook works great) and wrote in it every day about where we went and what we did. I also tucked in things like ferry tickets and other memorabilia and left some pages blank and pasted in photos when I got home. Finishing up my little "scrapbook" extended the experience for me, and now I have a nice little memento of the trip to page through whenever I need inspiration. See the electronic version here (http://wksinprogress.blogspot.com/2006_06_01_archive.html) on my blog.

Mostly, though, have a glorious time!!!

[KathiCville]

Ha, ha, will do, Bad JuJu! I'll be sure to supply photos and color commentary when I get home! I'm excited, too, that I got the last slot on the trip---I think it's going to be a fabulous time. And, yep, I sure did tell that it's my Big 5-0! Jackie (president, I think?) was delighted that I picked a WomanTours tour to mark the occasion.........:D:D:D

[KathiCville]

Right on time, the first piece of "literature" arrived from the AARP today, LOL! Just three weeks and one day shy of my big 5-0. :D:D:D

I'm getting sooooo excited about my Natchez Trace trip!! I hope to get in another 80-100 miles of training rides in the next two weeks before I pack my bike and ship it to Jackson (MS) a few days ahead of the tour.

Bad JuJu....Checked out your blog, thanks! I'll definitely keep a little journal on the trip. And I'm buying (finally) a digital camera to take along, too.:)