Has a book ever been so consuming that it takes virtually you somewhere new? Well, join the bookcation club!

Book sales are down, as in -40% since 2003. Yet real readers remain a loyal bunch. And they’re taking to the skies to immerse themselves in the settings of favorite books and authors—like romance writer Emily Henry’s “People We Meet on Vacation.”

How fitting! Because since many of these trips are gatherings, even if you hole up on a Croatian beach (like Henry’s main character does), you’re likely to meet some folks a lot like you.

Elaine Lusac’s story in the the NYTimes recently summed up the trend with insights like…

• Although the enthusiasts may skew older, there’s a noteworthy desire to leave behind screens and experience real, 3D places.
• People’s fandom for book locales is, for them, about being in a place through the eyes of the author and character—something guidebooks and travel sites can’t accomplish.
• Hotels and resorts are taking advantage—hosting book clubs and authors, sponsoring and providing titles on a regular basis, and marketing ‘literary sabbaticals.’
• Popular books like Nelson Mandela’s ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ and Elizabeth Gilbert’s ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ did much to create the trend.
• Fans often use the time at the location to…guess what?…read the book (or another related title), rather than go gonzo-traveler and try to see all the touristy sites.

The author is usually asking you to sit with a place rather than rush past it.

As my legs (which are full of metal) age (along with the rest of me), a bookcation sounds pretty good right about now. Especially if the novel takes place in fave, magical locations like, say, the Caribbean, New Zealand, or New Orleans.

Turtles have been around for ~250 million years, predating dinosaurs. Turtles matter to me, and spotting them on springtime bike rides has become a cherished warm-weather thrill.

A catchphrase of this site remains, “Making and taking time for what matters.” As a sunworshipper, I often take time to be in the sun, whether for gardening, kayaking, or just sitting. Doctors rarely approve, so we sunheads sometimes apply sunscreen—along with another mantra that never gets old:

Everything in moderation. Including moderation.

Everybody’s searching for something. Yes, even turtles. Do turtles seek love? Of course! But they also crave sun, just like us, when spring comes around and they finally get to awaken from their long winter hibernation (not a bad idea) and use solar power to literally warm up, re-awaken, and recharge.

And lucky for them, they need not worry about skin cancer.

Music on the Malecon at Mazatlán…Nice.

Some tourist destinations are notorious for locals selling stuff. Sometimes, you can barely nap on the beach. But when it’s music, I don’t mind. And in Mazatlán, there are some great performers wandering the beach, including this guy with his classical guitar and lovely voice. Some folks pay thousands to see Ms. Swift. I’ll take this busker, and he’ll happily play for spare change.

America, we have a saving problem!

We’ve heard this MANY times before. “The more you spend, the more you save!” And now this “Oh What Fun” nonsense from Amazon. They must think we’re pretty stupid. And maybe we are? Credit card debt keeps hitting new highs ($1.28 trillion, up 5% from a year ago). So yes, we consume a LOT. Oh well, not to worry—it’s FUN and maybe all this spending will SAVE us all!

My son’s travel duffel sports the flag mementos of many nations, but may be taking an unfortunate break since travel now means taking off into increasingly unfriendly skies.

This story is everywhere, but deserves a serious look—albeit short, because it’s depressing and takes a tailspin into politics that are even more depressing. But brace yourself: The US is destroying a solid and previously evergreen tourism business worth $180 billion annually and supporting 1 million American jobs. Hmmm, I wonder why?

Because we ridicule other nations while raising chaotic tariffs that make routine business nearly impossible?

Because we break deals, shun NATO, pull aid funding, and have gone totally No More Mr. Nice Guy?

Because we threaten to take over Greenland, never mind that their steward nation of Denmark loyally fights alongside our military in wars; 43 Danish soldiers died in Afghanistan alone.

Because we tease and piss off Canada? That especially hurts in Minnesota, as Canadians are our #1 tourism source—representing 55% of our international guests—and spending around $150 million in 2024, which was a 24% decrease from 2023.

Because we may soon require visitors to provide up to 5 years of social media history, among other bizarre and intimidating steps to entry?

Because major markets like Germany and France have updated their travel advisories to include America while warning of risks that include political violence and immigration enforcement?

Well, those are SOME of the reasons. And there are so many more. Meanwhile, America hosts the FIFA soccer tournament in 11 cities this year and celebrates a 250th anniversary. In the olden days—which now feel like golden days—those events would have brought countless guests and dignitaries from all over the world, all spending lavishly.

Instead, people like the former president of FIFA have called for an international boycott of the FIFA tournament because of violence by ICE…who may be prowling the games with guns in tow, no?

Oh yeah, and then there’s that invasion of Iran. Our nation goes relatively unscathed (besides ratcheting gas prices and related inflation that will arrive soon). But in much of the world, the effects of this “war” are much worse, and hitting people’s pocketbooks, if not schoolyards.

When you piss off most of the world’s people, they stop liking and visiting you.

If that’s the tone for travel for the time being, I don’t much feel like flying anywhere. Folks I know who are traveling abroad describe receiving nearly-violent receptions upon mere introductions. Others retell the common tale of international hosts routinely asking, “What the f*ck is going on over there?”

Who knows? But please wake me when it’s over. And the TSA is funded and functioning again. And the Ugly American goes to the bathroom and we lock him in there. And… And… And…

This could take a while.

So if BreakAway shifts to highlighting other forms of escapism—think saunas, live music, nature breaks, nearby diversions—please play along. Such rather fits my aging carcass and slower, simpler lifestyle, anyway…verklempt though it may feel be to admit that.

The world is still a beautiful place. But sometimes one’s world must get smaller to stay saner.

As one who’s suffered two severe accidents that took a year (each) to recover, I always hurt for—and cheer on—people who must endure life-changing health events.

This lovely couple lives down the street from me. They came here from another country, and I’ve always admired their perpetual smiles and daily walks. They just seem more spiritual than most of us.

So my heart frowned when they disappeared for a while. And months later re-appeared with a slow gait, though now speeding up gradually. Cardio event? Stroke? Other? I still don’t know, but am so pleased to see them out again.

Savor today. As Kirby Puckett said in his way-too-early retirement speech, “Don’t take it for granted, because tomorrow is not promised to any of us.”

Even when the road seems longer, keep walking. And keep the faith.

We wish they’d go away.