Dude needs to learn to chill out someday…

Pardon us for being late to rave, er, reflect on International Relaxation Day. IRD (that’s right) happened last Friday, August 15. I hope you were so chilled out you missed it too. Wait until you see what happens here for Universal Procrastination Day!

BreakAway supports this, and preaches the gospel of chill the h*ck out, which ain’t as easy as it used to be. All the more reason to ignore the noise and grab whatever (or whoever) pleases you, which may be Heavy Metal festivals, mammoth hikes, or yoga. Regardless:

Just                              un                                plug.

How do you relax? I like watching water, sipping something, and blasting music—for starters. However you unwind, we hope you get to do it almost as much as whatever is keeping you from that higher priority. St*ff can wait. Relaxing won’t. Keep the faith.

BREAKAWAY TAKEAWAY: Relaxing happens now, not later.

Flying is becoming evermore messy…

What goes up…must come down. And so it also goes with travel trends. Of late, flying away from it all keeps getting unpleasant press. And as one who’s flown some lately, that doesn’t help the already hectic and uncomfortable experience that most of us encounter. Let us count some ways…

• Airlines wedge solo flyers

As a frequent solo traveler, this one really chafes my ass, even when not in a tiny airline seat. Yep, the jerks running the airlines (or A.I. CEOs, who knows?) have often been charging solo travelers twice (or more) than the cost of buying 2 tickets. Why? Because they can—and even admit to intentionally bilking the business traveler. As I attempt to avoid profanity: It ain’t right!

• Airline crashes smashing all records

Depending on your source (and date, as the numbers keeps rising), there have been, hmmm, ~100 crashes so far, and ~200 deaths. Oh sure, they keep saying that flight is safe! And one can still make that case. Nonetheless, this is already the worst year ever. And we’re not even halfway there.

• Newark flight systems go way dark

Miraculously, there have been no catastrophes in Newark or the area. But the airport has experienced several systems crashes. That means NO COMMUNICATION between the pilots and the towers—in one of the busiest airports and most dense populations in America. Meanwhile, Trump & Co keep firing the very people responsible for our safety. As one who has used that airport dozens of times, yeah, I’m scared.

• Flight delays are going up, up, up

Again, sources vary (especially when you define countries/regions). But one source puts the delays increase at 54% this year. They blame weather, overcrowded everything, staff shortages, and (again) the USA government funding chain-sawing allegedly wasteful jobs. My advice: Travel heavy—bring extra snacks, water, entertainment, and anti-anxiety meds.

• Euros and Canadians are boycotting America 

Gosh, they’re really mad at us. The good news is that might mean fewer travelers! The bad news is others are hating on us. And we’ll miss the bazillions they spend visiting the Statue of Liberty, Golden Gate Bridge, and hospitality businesses.

• Americans are often scorned when abroad

The media is all over this (except some, like FOX). But I have heard personally from MANY people that you WILL be shamed, insulted, and possibly attacked as an American visiting other lands. One friend had to make a hasty exit from a bar in Canada or risk getting beat up. So think twice about where you vacation. And maybe leave the MAGA hat at home.

We could also discuss the economy, the inflation that is making going anywhere (and doing anything) cost more, and the train wreck of options (like lack of train travel in many places) that force flying to be your only option. But really, this is enough ranting for today.

So in parting, may we all be patient and hope for clearer skies ahead. Meanwhile, enjoy your staycation!

I’ve been taking BreakAways to Okoboji all my life, sometimes several times a year—and including living and working there some college summers. So my love for the place runs deep.

Unfortunately, so does this year’s flooding—the worst since 1993, or the worst ever? Doesn’t really matter; the destruction and stench defy historical comparisons, also due to the overbuilding that has happened there and everywhere. Which results in more ruin, more dock boards floating everywhere, and more million$ in damage and cleanup. I can’t even envision the rebuild that lies ahead.

Of course, my beloved Okoboji is just one of dozens (countless?) locations getting slammed in the Midwest. Places I’ve known, lived, loved. One tries not to get too bummed out. But, dang, floods are just such a sloooow-acting, cruel catastrophe.

All to say, although the US airports broke customer records over Memorial Day weekend, remember this warning: Travel at your own risk. Nature is angry and turning many getaway dream trips into nightmares. Not to mention laughing at my summer Okoboji escape plans.

So watch the weather. Pack and prepare for the unexpected. Have a Plan B.

And keep the faith.