Go Places Do Things

GPDT Ep. 6 - Five Days of Fun: Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas to Cozumel & Costa Maya

Welcome to episode six of the Go Places Do Things podcast! Joey and Cheryl, a pair of 50-somethings, are back to talk about their most recent adventure: a five-night Royal Caribbean cruise on the Mariner of the Seas out of Galveston, Texas, in August 2025. This trip was a special one for two reasons: celebrating their daughter's 18th birthday and cruising with their expert-cruiser friends, Jack and Viv, who are Royal Caribbean masters. Join them as they share the details of their journey, including: * The road trip to Galveston and mandatory stops at Buc-ee's (and the decision to break their diet with a shared cinnamon roll). * Their impressions of the older but well-cared-for Mariner of the Seas, from the glass elevators to the unique ice skating show at sea. * The Main Dining Room (MDR) experience and the joy of traditional dining. * The port days, featuring a day trip to the Mayan ruins of Chacchoben in Costa Maya and the exhilarating, but picture-less, experience of swimming with manatees at Chankanaab in Cozumel. * Tips on cruising with an 18-year-old, the best quiet spots on the ship, and how they enjoyed their sea days relaxing and playing Mexican Train dominoes with friends. Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or planning your first trip, Joey and Cheryl hope their stories give you ideas for the places you can go and the things you can do!

GPDT Ep. 5 - A Week In DC (New Year's 2025) | Traveling with Teens

Join Joey and Cheryl, along with their daughter and niece, as they recount their family trip to Washington, D.C., exploring historical landmarks, renowned museums, and local eateries. Hear their unique perspective on navigating the nation's capital with a multi-generational group. From the solemnity of the Holocaust Museum to the grandeur of the Washington Monument, discover the highlights, challenges, and memorable moments of their adventure. Key Discussion Points: Trip Overview: Travel Dates: December 2024/January 2025 (around New Year's) Travelers: Joey, Cheryl, Madison (17), Moriah (15) Accommodation: An AirBNB brownstone in Capitol Hill. Transportation: Rideshare, plus the DC Metro. Day 1: Arrival & Evening Monument Tour Monuments by Night: Took a bus tour of the monuments, highlighting the beauty of the lit-up memorials. Monuments Visited: World War II Memorial, Jefferson Memorial (Joey's favorite), MLK Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and White House. Day 2: Ford's Theater & Peterson House Morning: Visited Ford's Theater and the Lincoln Museum. Peterson House: Explored the house where Lincoln died. Union Station: Explored the historic train station and its modern mall. National Postal Museum: Visited the museum, learning about the history of the postal system and viewing rotating exhibits. Day 3: Udvar-Hazy, Holocaust Museum & Tacos Morning (Solo Adventure): Joey visited the Udvar-Hazy Center (Air and Space Museum Annex) near Dulles Airport, emphasizing its massive size and impressive collection. Afternoon: Visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum. Discussed the somber but important experience. Day 4: Natural History, Washington Monument & American History Natural History Museum: Explored the museum, seeing the Hope Diamond and dinosaur exhibits. Washington Monument: Experienced a highly coveted, timed entry to the top of the monument. American History Museum: Visited Cheryl's favorite museum, seeing the Star-Spangled Banner and the First Ladies' exhibit. Evening: Watched "National Treasure" in preparation for their National Archive tour. Day 5: National Archives, National Gallery of Art & the Library of Congress Morning: "Rope drop" at the National Archives for timed entry. National Gallery of Art: Explored the art museum, seeing famous pieces like "The Thinker" (which was smaller than expected). Lunch: Enjoyed a DC staple, Ben's Chili Bowl, on U Street. Library of Congress: Visited with timed entry, making up for a previous short visit. Discussed the impressive architecture, the ability to get a library card to read books, and various exhibits. General Travel Tips: Afternoon Naps: Crucial for maximizing late-night activities and avoiding crowds/heat during the day. Rope Drop: Arriving at opening for museums and attractions to avoid crowds. Docent-Led Tours: Highly recommended for a more in-depth and passionate understanding of exhibits. Snacks: Essential for long days of walking and museum visits to prevent low blood sugar. Timed Entry/Reservations: Book in advance for popular attractions like the Washington Monument and National Archives; look for last-minute releases the day before or day of. DC Museum Hours: Most museums close at 5:00 PM (sometimes 6:00 PM), so plan accordingly. Security: Be prepared for tighter security at national monuments and archives.

GPDT Ep. 4 - The (Elephant) Preserve (Spring 2025) | A Texas Day Trip Episode

Join Joey and Cheryl, your favorite pair of 50-somethings who like to go places and do things, on a captivating day trip through Central Texas. This episode highlights their profound experience at an elephant preserve near Fredericksburg, where they met retired circus elephants Kitty, Rosie, and Becky. They were struck by the "immaculate and clean" facility and the evident passion of the staff, who provided an insightful 1.5-hour interaction that was far from a cheesy "circus act." They learned fascinating facts, and observed behaviors crucial for their care, including bathing, foot trimming, and even "elephant calisthenics." The adventure continued with a delightful stop at the "world-famous" Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls. Known for its "home-style cooking" and, more importantly, its incredible pies, the family indulged in a variety of their famous chocolate pies, including the specialty Chocolate Meringue with its "4 inches thick" meringue. This segment emphasizes the joy of simple pleasures and shared family moments, contrasting with the awe-inspiring elephant encounter. Overall, the episode beautifully blends adventure, education, and culinary delights, showcasing the hosts' love for exploring and sharing their experiences. To learn more about the Elephant experience mentioned: https://www.visitthepreserve.com/ [https://www.visitthepreserve.com/]

GPDT Ep. 3 – Cruising the Caribbean | Princess Cay, Puerto Rico & the Dominican Republic (Spring 2025)

In this episode, Joey and Cheryl reflect on their spontaneous 7-day cruise aboard the Sun Princess — and how it might've officially turned them into "cruise people." They talk about everything from the amazing customer service and onboard experiences to their surprise booking of another cruise shortly after stepping off the ship! The conversation covers what made this vacation special, why cruising is perfect for 50-somethings, tips for first-timers (spoiler: motion sickness isn't as scary as you think), and which cruise lines they're eager to try next. Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or just cruise-curious, this episode offers inspiration, laughs, and thoughtful reflections on travel, marriage, and making space for adventure in the next season of life.

GPDT Ep. 2 - Volcanoes, Lakes, Crates, and Caves | Lassen Volcanic & Crater Lake National Parks (Summer 2024)

Episode 2 of Go Places, Do Things takes us through the second leg of our summer 2024 adventure, from Eureka, California, to Eugene, Oregon—a stretch packed with sights and stories. We took on the winding turns of Highway 36 from the coast, where the scenery alone was worth the drive. Along the way, we explored the geothermal wonders of Lassen Volcanic National Park, wandered the dark, cool Subway Cave Lava Tubes, and stood in awe of Burney Falls' cascading beauty. We even found a few dining spots worth mentioning—like that hidden gem in Dunsmuir that fueled us up just right. Rafting the Klamath River near Yreka gave us a good laugh—Cheryl's still talking about the rapid that caught her by surprise—while Crater Lake National Park left us "breathess" with its height, depth, and color. Highway 138 offered one final stretch of gorgeous views before we settled into the Campbell House Inn in Eugene, a historic B&B that capped the trip with a touch of classic comfort. As 50-somethings who've logged our share of miles, we're passing along the real stuff—our highlights, hiccups, and handy tips—to help you map out your own Pacific Northwest getaway. Join us as we go places, do things, and share the journey, one mile at a time. Episode 2 Highlights: Eureka to Eugene * Kicking Off in Eureka: Started halfway through our summer 2024 California-Oregon trip, chilling at an Airbnb in Eureka with dominoes and a down day after a packed first half Redwoods visit. * The Art of Rest: Took a Sunday breather—sister-in-law cooked breakfast, streamed church, hit an old-school theater for Twisters, and cooked spaghetti with brownies and ice cream for dessert. Pro tip: "bake in" rest days, especially with kids or after long hauls. * Highway 36 Adventure: Tackled a twisty six-hour drive from Eureka to Red Bluff—fires and construction slowed us, but Dinsmore's quirky general store (and nasty outhouse) broke it up. Scored an "I Survived" magnet for the fridge! * Red Bluff Burrito Bliss: Landed in 106-degree Red Bluff, fueled up, and found a Mexican gem—big California burritos hit the spot. * Lassen Volcanic Wonders: Explored Lassen National Park—mini Yellowstone with bubbling mud pots, snowy landscapes, and pristine creeks. Threw snowballs at 8,000 feet by Lake Helen in July. * Subway Cave Surprise: Quick detour to Subway Cave Lava Tubes on Highway 89—pitch-black, rippled floors, a cool half-mile walk with just one flashlight. Glad we stopped, even if the crew was antsy. * Burney Falls Peek: Snuck a free look at Burney Falls—construction blocked trails, but the view was worth the 15-minute pause. Shadows stretched long as we pushed for Dunsmuir. * Dunsmuir Drama: Checked into the Rail and Riverhouse—105 degrees, no AC, trains blaring every 90 minutes. Cooled off by morning, but not my fave stay. Madison slept through it all. * Klamath River Splash: Swapped Tuesday hikes for whitewater rafting near Yreka—Casey's inflatable kayaks and raft rocked it. Bounced out on a rapid, soaked in 15 seconds, but my brother and sister-in-law hauled me back fast. * Mount Shasta Munch: Hit Beastro 107—bougie farm-to-table burgers and more after rafting hunger kicked in. Everyone left smiling. * Crater Lake Challenge: Wednesday trek to Crater Lake—7,000 feet, unreal blue, steep mile down to Cleetwood Cove. Ranger chat was gold—career tips for our nature-loving junior. * Highway 138 Detour: Fires nixed six waterfall stops, so Waze took us on a smoky river road with goats and sheep. * Campbell House Charm: Late arrival at Eugene's 1880s gem—comfy beds, gorgeous grounds, artisan vibes. Wished we'd had a full day to soak it in. * Airport Layover Fun: Easy Eugene departure, long Sacramento layover—dominoes in the food court, milkshakes worth the wait. Made the Austin flight with Terry and Margie, drama-free travel buds. * Family Ties & Future Plans: First trip as a couple with Terry and Margie—smooth sailing, lots of laughs. Mexico's next for a children's home visit; more adventures with them ahead.