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[Helene2013]

Crankin
Love the Franconia area. Such a beautiful place. Visited mostly during fall camping.

[Crankin]

I've never been there in the fall, but mostly in the winter, a couple of times in summer. Probably will be x country skiing at Bretton Woods, they seem to be able to groom the trails well, even in low snow conditions. I like it up there, too, but it took me many years to get over NH's horrible politics and actually spend my $ there. I know, silly, but there is something wrong with a state that doesn't have free mandatory kindergarten! I prefer Vermont.
It's going to snow at home while we're gone. We will be coming home to a mess to clean up. We have a guy that plows our access driveway, but not in front of the house. I foresee several trips of carrying my gear down the hill because DH will not drive on the snow before he blows it.

[Helene2013]

Since I don't know much about "deeper" politics, I am a fan of VT, NH and MA. Grass is always greener on the other side. hihi We are so close to any of those States that this is where we spend most of our vacation. We have booked (last July) for Boston area this coming July (for a month) but are thinking cancelling and visiting Canada this time. Our exchange rate is nearing 30% (with credit card fee). That is a lot of "wasted" money. Also the gas has never been this low for us (now is just under $1/liter = nearing 4$gallon US for you). So cheaper gas for us, and higher exchange rate may be time to visit our own country. But nothing interests us in QC, so we are left with Ontario. Most places we know so we'd have to head west and no fan of flat prairies.

I think we will see a lot of USA plates in QC/Ontario this summer too....and USA will see less of those Canadian ones. Bummer. Good for Canada economy but bad for my own trips. hihi

Enjoy the shoveling on your return home. Our weather is sunny and warmer thant what we had laterly so far until Wed. We'll take it.

[Dogmama]

Regarding socializing - I enjoy a dinner out with friends, can make small talk, etc., but would really rather be home with a good book or NBA game.

So, how do you deal with the "research" that says people with lots of social connections are happier, live longer, etc.?

[Helene2013]

But you still may have a very high connection network, just different. Just that you choose how you want to use it. No?

I feel I am very happy, my life is the way I like it (ok...it would be more fun to be retired and do what I want when I want - but you also need some cash for this. haha), even if it meant "dumping" friends (at least those who brought less to us - both ways) because of lack of time.

Seriously, we generally set our priorities where we want right? If I did not spend the time on a computer or TV (example!) I would have more time for other stuff right?

How many of us just crash on sofa (or bed) as soon as dinner and evening chores are done? Even if early in evening? I raise my hand!

I'm just too tired after a work's day and taking care of things at home when I get there that once dinner is over, pets fed (and walked or groomed, etc.) I just need my hot bath and zombie before hitting the sack at 9pm, if not earlier. Forget me if you want to go out to a bar or visit for a coffee/chat on weeknights! It used to be like this in our "previous" life. We are getting old I guess. haha

So the "research" about happier and living longer people with lots of "network friends", I don't know what to think about it. The world is also changing with the internet. I can't recall the last time I have seen a family gathering with them playing board games like we used to. Times are changing and social meets too I suppose.

[shootingstar]

Let me know, Helene if you need info/opinion on areas in Rocky Mtns., British Columbia. I think people in Ontario forget/may not know there's a ton of national and provincial parks from Banff National Park and going west... What is interesting for myself as an ex-Ontarion (lst 45 yrs.) is that long time Albertans really don't have much interest in vacationing Ontario/Quebec unless they have family/friends. They like heading to numerous, closer wilderness areas, Okanagan wine country, coastal B.C.

VAncouverites on the other hand may tend to consider Toronto but then get "lazy"/save money to enjoy more of British Columbia or head over to Hawaii. (You don't find Vancouverites interested in Arizona at all. But Calgarians will look to that state for warmth.)

[Helene2013]

Thanks Shooting Star. We won't be going that far west this time. Been to California (by car) in 2006 but with only a month of vacation time (in motorhome), that would be not enough time to do all and relax. We can't really drive more than 400km per day with a motorhome. One driver and it is tiring as you need all your senses alert all the time.

My dream is to retire in the Okanagan. Never been there but was told so much good about it. I have a cousin who lives in Kelowna and knows the area and our big boss lives in Calgary and knows that area very well too. Only good words. So need to pay a visit before. hihi That big boss who lives in Calgary, flies to Arizona very often. They bought a cottage as they are golfers.

We don't know yet our plans for vacation, other than maybe going back to that Boston area for the 5th year in a row. Time to travel I think as we got bored last summer. Especially after seeing those gorgeous pictures here on the board. Been across the USA and my heart was for 1) Nashville - good friend lives there 2) Colorado. I never get enough 3) Arizona. What spectaculor scenary. But 1 and 3 are too hot in the summer when we have our vacation (mid-july).

So we're still in planning mode.

[NbyNW]

Regarding socializing - I enjoy a dinner out with friends, can make small talk, etc., but would really rather be home with a good book or NBA game.

So, how do you deal with the "research" that says people with lots of social connections are happier, live longer, etc.?

Does the research really say "lots"? I would think that it would be more about the quality of social connections rather than the quantity.

Interesting how quite a few regulars here identify as introverted or really enjoying/needing solitude. Count me among them.