What's Your Next Surf Trip Going to Be?

I hear ya. I'm in an extremely fortunate situation at the moment by living oceanfront and by a good wave. I can sit on my couch and watch every set that comes in. It was a lifelong dream and one that actually became a reality. So, I won't easily give this up unless the situation is ideal. One sentence you said really hit home though...."it is as if we are on vacation everyday". I don't know if it's because the 4th crowd is filling in or what but sometimes that's a negative. I swear there are more cars here from Ohio than NC. Dealing with tourons as I get older is definitely becoming harder and harder. Hitting the open road just sounds so appealing at the moment.

That's another reason why that lifestyle appeals to me so much. I do a lot of photography on the side, I would LOVE to do something like that. I've sold a few photographs lately and it's given me confidence that I actually could.

I need to read that.

 

there's dreaming and there is wishing. To me, wishing is dreaming without action. Dreaming is taking that wish and planning, and acting to implement it.

 

You're 100% right. It sounds odd, but you go down to OBX and complete strangers say hi and wave to you. That never happens in NY. You just get grilled. So that's bad thing about NY, yet that's home. And id take that over friendly hellos. Doesn't make sense, but its true.

The plus side of LI is you literally have it all. The town i live in is the end of the line on one of the LIRR so i can catch 40 something minute express trains into the city. I could never live in the city. But being able to get there easily for shows or whatever is awesome. Drive out east and its more laid back, wine country. And where i am is right in the middle. Plus the beaches. Allot of people say it's boring here. I think there just boring people. So much to do and see and experience here. Can't think of any place in the world quite like this

 

Well for me, I have no family. I have my mom in Florida and siblings all scattered throughout the country, but no kids or wife or any of that. And if the plan with my best friend works out, I will be able to maintain my home in Jersey, which I'll need for when I'm home working.

My original plan as of 7 or 8 years ago, which seems really far fetched and unrealistic now, was to retire at 55 or around 55. And hopefully have some kind of funds or stocks. Even if it wasn't much, I would have sold my house at 55 and moved my family (which I won't be having now) to Oahu. And even if I couldn't retire completely, I would have gotten a job out there. That was what I had been aiming for when I was engaged and the plan was for us to have one child. Those plans fell apart when my fiance and I split 3.5 years ago and my plans to retire at 55 pretty much ended when I acquired my current in 2011. This is a job that I feel like I'll be fine working until I'm 70-75 if I can do it and still am able to keep it. The fact that it isn't year round, I feel like I can do it up to a very old age. Even though I do work as much as the average person per year, when going by hours worked.

I do largely agree with what you're saying though. I'll have to see how it all works out. With how much my life has personally changed in the last handful of years, I could be out of this job in a few years and have to go back to working a normal 40 hour a week job year round, rather than a 70-80 hour a week job for 7-8 months out of the year. And if that happens, I wouldn't be able to even go to Oahu or anywhere else, outside of maybe a couple week per year vacation.

 

Well, not matter where you "are" now, I am sure we all hope things work out great for you. As you seem to do in your posts, continuous self-assessment as to finances and life-style are your best bet for a successful retirement.
Have a great 4th!

 

Definitely!

Happy 4th to you Barry and everyone else!

 

I just got back from my trip to Norway and it exceeded my expectations and I had high expectations going into it. I scored two really nice swells. The beach at Unstad is something you dream of. It's a little cove shaped beach and if you're facing the ocean to the right is a world class right point but it takes a decent swell to get working, the middle area is an average beach break but I saw some spitting tubes and to the left is a very consistent left point break that can get really good. The whole beach might be a little bit bigger than a football field so it's all condensed into one small area. It's now probably my favorite beach ever. The hiking was out of this world and we got a chance to see the northern lights. Norway goes down as my best trip ever!

 

A few more....

 

Man... That's awesome. I don't know about surfing there with the booties, gloves, hood, etc., but the scenery is unreal... thanks for posting. I have to add Norway to my list of places to go... although based on the pics, I think I'll mountain bike instead.

 

It definitely wasn't as cold as I had in my mind going into it. Biking is pretty big there so that would work. Those mountains and trails are no joke though. Most brutal hikes I've ever done.

 

that is so awesome.

 

Where are the bikinis?? You went to Norway and did not chase any blondes in bikinis??
Oooookaaaayyyyyy........did you at least eat kippers??

 

normally would be going to the BLOCK for 5 days this coming week...had to cx...bummer and surf looks great too.

 

Here's the best thing about Norway....every chick I saw was hot and in slamming shape. There are zero fat chicks in Norway. They're all hiking and biking everywhere and it shows. My wife is blonde if that counts? Whale steaks are all the rage there.

 

Now I KNOW you had a great trip!! Awesome. lol
Whale steaks??? funny....

 

Thanks for the report NICAfiend. I've been intrigued by some pix/article I saw (I think Balto. Sun), but having the first hand credible sweller report confirms my initial thoughts that it looks like a real cool place to visit. Thanks again.

 

That looks pretty suite! Even though I'm not one for cold(er) water destinations for surf trups, which I'm assuming Norway probably is!

 

I got a question sugar face . How the F do u get a giant SUP on a plane ? - oh and BTW learn to surf before you sweep