Back in November, while I was recovering from a hip replacement, I decided to plan an 11 week trip to five countries in Europe, leaving April 2nd and returning June 20th. I would sit at my computer for 8-10 hours a day with my hip throbbing to research for the trip. I decided to spend three weeks in Italy, three weeks in France, two weeks in Germany (I used to live there when I was in the military), 10 nights on the Greek Islands, and two weeks in Switzerland. My itinerary ended up being almost 40 pages long. To make the trip affordable I booked lodging (21 accommodations) thru Airbnb and Booking.com and chose places that were a 5 – 15 minute walk from the train station, so I wouldn’t have to take taxis. I had been to all of the countries, but previously had only visited Rome (for 6 hours from a cruise ship) and Paris (took my niece there in 2007).
My first stop was Rome, Italy for 6 nights. I booked a room sharing a kitchen with two other rooms thru Airbnb. I had pre-planned walking routes using Google Maps.
The Trevi Fountain was being cleaned…
The Pantheon
I don’t remember the name of this fountain
I’m an early bird…no people at the Spanish Steps
The Villa Borghese park was lovely
This was interesting art
Another cool fountain
This was in the Trastevere neighborhood
Lots of sidewalk cafes
The pizza was sooo good!
Yummy cappuccino
I should’ve prepared ahead of time for all of the walking.
I don’t sleep on planes, mainly because I have two sleep disorders, Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder. I decided to pay a hefty price to upgrade to first class on the way home from Hawaii. Once before I had flown in first class from Paris when they randomly asked if I’d like to have a seat in that section, but it wasn’t the type of seat that totally lays flat. I felt like a kid, testing all of the buttons in my little pod. If you’re wondering what happened to my hand…when I went out with the meetup.com group, I was showing them a trick I learned in my military days with a stack of cardboard drink coasters and went to grab them and hit my hand on the table. I had to go to Urgent Care, but it healed quickly.
One of the ladies I met thru Bachelor Number Two invited me to go with her and a friend to Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden. It’s so lush, green, and tropical!
When researching things to do during my month long stay on Oahu, hiking to Monoa Falls was near the top. Getting there was an adventure. I rented a Biki Bike and biked three miles to a local bus that drops you a mile from the trailhead. Once inside the park, it’s less than a 2 mile hike roundtrip, but then everything in reverse. It was well worth it!
Walking through the park, I had visions of Jurassic Park.
Remember Bachelor Number Two, I met some women at the barbecue I went to with him and one of them invited me to go sailing! It was a fun day.
It was all women except for the owner/captain of the sailboat. All of the women had varying degrees of sailing experience, so it was interesting to watch him give the orders while he sat.
We went to a sand bar where it’s shallow and you can get out and walk around.
One of the women invited us back to her condo’s hot tub and pool.
I joined Meetup.com back in 2007 after a divorce and it was a great way to meet people. First it was a hiking meetup, then a wine-tasting meetup, followed by others. Thinking of ways to combat my loneliness during my month-long stay on Oahu, I checked out the meetups that were available and joined a few. I ended up going to two events, both were Happy Hours. After a couple of Mai Tai’s, I was hamming it up for this photo 🙂
At the end of the evening…
I met a girl at one of the Happy Hours and she invited me to her pool, which was lovely.
I didn’t have a beach bag with me, so when we walked a couple of blocks from her apartment that she rented for 6 weeks to work remotely, I naively placed my keys, cover-up, and wallet in her bag. After a while, I decided to take a walk on the beach for 15 minutes and when I returned, she had vanished. I called and texted her repeatedly, to no avail. I thought perhaps she had went back to her place, so I walked back and luckily remembered her floor number. My phone was almost dead and there was a guy on the elevator, so I asked him if he had a charger for my type of phone…he did, so I explained the situation and he said if she wasn’t at her place to come to his and I could charge my phone. She wasn’t at her place, so I went to his, which felt awkward, being in a male stranger’s apartment. Anyway, as I’m charging my phone, he was preparing dinner and invited me to dine with him, which I did. She finally called me back (1 ½ hours later) and said she was at the pool bar and for me to join her. I explained I didn’t want to walk back in only my bathing suit and was eating dinner so she said she’d be back within an hour. As soon as she returned, I retrieved my things, checked my wallet in front of her, and could tell she was very inebriated…her apartment smelled like vomit. She wasn’t apologetic. To make a long story a little shorter, just recently (which is 4 months later) I received an e-mail from Walmart concerning a purchase I made, but it wasn’t me (I won’t go into the details, but I could tell it was her). I had to cancel my credit card and change my passwords. Lesson learned!
I took this photo while taking my naive walk on the beach.
Hiking is one of my favorite activities and having gorgeous scenery when you’re doing it is amazing! Since I didn’t have a car for my month-long stay in Honolulu, I rented a Biki Bike before sunrise, biked 1.5 miles to the closest Biki Bike station near the trail head, hiked 2 miles to the summit and then back to the Biki Bike station. There were a few people on the trail. It began raining as I approached the summit, which made it difficult to take photos, but the views were beautiful!
As I climbed these stairs, I turned around for the view…
At the summit….Wow!
Hiking back…
The trail began filling up…
Hiking Diamond Head was one of the highlights of my visit to Oahu!
Since Bachelor Number One and Two didn’t work out, I went out twice with Bachelor Number Three, a surfer dude and native Hawaiian. Our first date lasted for over 12 hours. He picked me up before sunrise at my apartment and drove me around the island sightseeing. Our first stop was to view the amazing sunrise…
He was my favorite of the three, but since it was nearing the end of my month-long stay, we didn’t keep in contact.
A surfer preparing for the day…
This is known as China Man’s Hat…
There are cool rock formations all over the island…
We went to Waimea Botanical Gardens and walked thru the lush gardens to the waterfall where you can swim. I had my bathing suit on and the water was so refreshing!
We stopped for a late lunch and I paid for his as a thank you for the wonderful day!
Upon arrival back at Waikiki Beach, where I was staying, we sat on the beach and watched the sun set. What an amazing day!
As I said in my last post, since I was spending a month in Oahu, Hawaii in January/February of this year, I thought it would be nice to meet some people, so I had tentative dates set up with three men. Bachelor Number Two had lived on the island for over 30 years and was originally from Germany. I ended up going out with him three times. For our first date, he took me on a 2-3 mile round-trip hike to this spot that hang gliders use. The view is amazing! Obama’s compound is down below. #localsknow
Our view as we approached the scenic overlook.
For our second date, we went out for dinner. I paid for his as a way to say thank you for showing me around.
We drove to the North shore for our third date and I met a small group of his friends at a barbecue. It was fun, but I didn’t have chemistry with him.
This was our secluded bbq site, except for the rooster 🙂
After my husband passed in 2018 I began online dating in 2019 through a few different sites. Dating in your early 60’s is quite different than when you’re younger. I would take a month or two off when I became frustrated with it. I decided to reach out to a few men that lived in Oahu before my arrival in January of 2022 and got to know a little about them.
Bachelor Number One
My first date was with a man that was going through a lot with his ex wife concerning their child. He drove us around the island sightseeing. I bought his lunch as a way to say thank you for his time.
We stopped at various spots for the views. I know many of you would be hesitant to get in a car with a stranger, but I am the type of person to take calculated risks and I listen to my instincts.
Since I’m retired I can move any where and tried to imagine living on Oahu, but decided the island life wasn’t for me. Next up is Bachelor Number Two.
Near the end of last year I planned a month long trip to Oahu, Hawaii for January/February of this year. I wasn’t dating any one and my girlfriends either didn’t have the time, the money, or wanted to travel with their significant other, and I knew I’d want to escape part of the cold winter here in Cincinnati, Ohio (actually I live in Northern Kentucky/5 minutes from Cincinnati), so I found a studio with a kitchen, queen bed, and a balcony just 5 minutes walk from Waikiki Beach thru Booking.com.
Because I’m a planner and am very organized, I found the closest grocery store ahead of time and placed an order to be delivered to my little apartment upon arrival. After settling in, I headed to the beach for the sunset.
I had been to Oahu once before with my late husband and my son (who has also passed) back in 2002 when my son was 15 years old. I forgot how beautiful it is!
As usual, to escape the cold in Ohio/No. Kentucky, I traveled to Cape Coral, Florida for 5 weeks in late January/early February. Because I didn’t qualify for the vaccine yet, I again stayed away from people, except for a short trip to see a friend in Clearwater. It was quite lonely, but I bicycled, walked, and even jogged some. Went to the beach a couple of days per week to walk, jog, and read.
In March I received both of my vaccines. So in April I visited Austin and San Antonio, Texas with a friend. This is the San Antonio Riverwalk. I spent my honeymoon here with my late husband back in 1994.
I began renting out my spare bedroom/bath to as an Airbnb. I met some wonderful people – it was like the United Nations – People with roots from the Philippines, Africa, Poland, Mexico, and Jordan. Amazon employees, traveling nurses, a med student, etc.
I planned a road trip to North and South Carolina to hike and check out waterfalls and some of the towns I’d never been to, like Greenville, S.C. (which I loved), Hendersonville, N.C., (quaint), Bryson City, N.C., Highland, N.C., and Ashville, N.C. (which I had been to).
Lake Janaluska, N.C.
I planned a trip to Alaska for 10 days in July – 2 nights Glacier Bay, 1 night Fairbanks (didn’t see it – just wanted to take the scenic train starting from there heading South), 4 nights Mt. Denali Nat’l Park, 3 nights Anchorage. This is the view flying into Juneau.
I took a small boat cruise to see a glacier in Glacier Bay National Park
I took the scenic panoramic train all the way to Seward, stopping for 4 nights in Denali Nat’l Park. I stayed at a lodge located 92 miles (the farthest you can travel) into the park. And 3 nights in Anchorage.
On the 7 hr. bus ride back to the lodge, we saw some wildlife (I’m not posting all of it).
The guide told us we were so lucky because for the 4 days I was there, Mt. Denali was either in full view or mostly full.
I went hiking with a small group of people…
I went kayaking as a day trip in Seward from Anchorage on the train.
In September I went to Ft. Lauderdale for 5 days with a guy I dated for a couple of months. He made me laugh so much, but I found out he was an addict. I truly had feelings for him after years of looking, and went through some emotional pain. But, nothing could ever come close to the pain I experience since losing my son.
In October I went to the Covered Bridge Festival in Indiana with a friend…
A couple of weeks after that overnight trip, I had hip surgery. I’ve been walking and doing exercises and it’s healing. I also got my booster shot in November.
In December, I drove 1 ½ hrs. to Richmond, Indiana to see a friend and spend the night. We went to the Warm Glow Candle Factory.
I took a solo day trip (2 hrs.) to Columbus to the Franklin Park Conservatory. It was lovely. They had Chihuly glass art mixed in with flowers and the architecture.
While I was in Columbus, I went to a place called Otherworld. It has over 40 rooms filled with lights and interesting displays.
I also spent two nights in the Ozarks in Missouri with a friend. It was a long drive – 8 ½ hrs. each way. We hiked at Ha Ha Tonka State Park (odd name) and had lunch at J.B. Hooks Restaurant, which had a fantastic view and the food was pretty good.
I celebrated Christmas with my brother and sister-in-law, as usual. New Year’s Eve was spent alone, grieving for my son. That’s his birthday. I’m hoping this coming year will be less lonely for me. I’ve planned a month long trip to Oahu in late January/February and a 3 month trip to 5 European countries in the Spring.
The year started with three weeks in Miami, Florida in February on a solo trip. Most of my time was spent bicycling, walking on the beach, photographing, and exploring.
I was gearing up for a big year with my business, Cincinnati Urban Adventures when the pandemic hit. Suddenly, I was alone with my grief – no travel – no business – no boyfriend. I went to a local shelter and brought home Grayson, who has been a comfort.
I had two trips previously planned before the pandemic hit – one in May to Utah and Idaho, and the other in August to various destinations in Oregon. I ended up cancelling the flights for both and drove 4400 miles round-trip out west to Utah and Idaho.
I’d already explored Bryce and Zion Nat’l Parks in Utah years past, so this time I went to Arches and Canyonlands.
On the drive to Idaho, I spent a couple of nights in Salt Lake City for hiking and also had a masseuse come to my Airbnb for a 1 ½ hr. massage to treat myself on my birthday. I hiked a 6 mile roundtrip, 3,000 ft. elevation change trail while there. This was at the top…
Next was Idaho. This is the Snake River Canyon near Twin Falls, Idaho (where Evil Knievel attempted jumping the mile wide chasm with his rocket, but failed).
Shoshone Falls Park, Twin Falls, Idaho
I visited Sun Valley, Idaho, which I found to be gorgeous. I rented an e-bike and explored for miles. I also hiked a lot. I stayed away from people because of the pandemic.
Then I drove up to Stanley, Idaho in the Sawtooth Mountains and stayed in this cabin on a small river.
There was time spent with friends throughout the remainder of 2020, doing mostly outdoor activities (because of the pandemic). Lots of hiking and also get-togethers at our homes for patio dinner/cocktails.
Madison, Indiana
Rough River Lake, Kentucky for our annual ladies long weekend. I reserved a 5 bedroom/3 bath home on the lake. We rented a pontoon boat and had fun!
Bengals football game
A visit to my cousin’s place in central Ohio. He has built quite the mansion/castle – it has hidden rooms, so many things to look at – very eccentric!
Birds in my backyard…
An outdoor Thanksgiving with family…
My dear friend helped me put up my Christmas tree. Holidays are rough when you’ve lost your parents, spouse, and only child.
Christmas with my brother and sister-in-law…
All things considered, I was doing pretty well with everything I was going through. I tried to be grateful for what I had.
Sherry Lachelle Travels 