What's the #1 thing stopping you

[naturlred]

What is the #1 thing stopping you from going to that place you would go if you could anywhere?
Is is money, physical health, family, children, lack of knowledge, work, etc.?

I read some of the destinations on the question posted,"where would you go if you could anywhere," and I am surprised that some destinations are in the US and not all that expensive to travel to. So I just wonder, what is stopping you?

Just curious...

[Coffee]

Family obligations and a need to balance my recreational activities with business activities. Hiking is the cheapest form of recreation that I know of and the one I most enjoy so money is a non-issue.

[colorado_rob]

Nothing whatsoever, so basically there is no #1 thing.

[garlic08]

Money comes closest, but it's more a question of value per dollar. I could afford that trip, but would it really be worth it when there's a much cheaper trip (like hiking/biking) that I would enjoy almost as much, maybe more?

I make similar decisions when I pass a restaurant that would be fun, but expensive. I always keep quality food stocked at home and I enjoy cooking, so I usually save some money and eat at home, invite friends or neighbors over and have a really excellent time. Even though I have the money for the restaurant. I could afford to buy a car, too, but I prefer my bicycle and sharing a car with my wife. The car would not give me enough value for the money.

Another issue is I'm a little uncomfortable traveling places where the locals are completely unable to visit me. My last trip to Peru, a new friend in a mountain town wondered why I could come visit his town, and there's no possible way he could ever come visit mine. I had no good answer to that and it upset me a little.

[Water Rat]

My answer – Nothing is stopping me. Work, family, money obligations sometimes keep me from doing the activity/going on a trip for a little bit, but I eventually do get to complete my goal.

When I go “away,” I am not a person who needs to go on the cruises and see all the trendy, touristy places. I tend to visit interesting places where I can spend time with the locals and actually experience the place I am visiting. I like hiking and learning the history and the culture. I like visiting the off-the-beaten path places. This tends to allow for a much less expensive, much more interesting (to me) trip.

How do I keep moving forward with all that I want to see and do when life is busy and full of commitments? My list is made up of everything from new (to me) local hikes that look interesting, to the bigger trips and places to see. I plug the smaller trips/events in as time/money/health/family obligations/work allows. I don’t go out to movies, but do prefer to spend my time researching new places and things to do. If you can dream it, you can do it. It is just a matter of balancing your priorities and making a point to work toward your goal. This might mean passing up on buying the latest gadget (not an issue for me), or making the decision to eat at home (also not an issue for me). It all depends on what you deem important in your life.

My list of things to do and places to see is not a checklist and it is always growing. Everything on my list is something I want to actually immerse myself in and experience. This is different from a lot of people out there… I am not in a race to get through my list. When I find myself with time, I see what trip/event/activity will best fit in as time and money allow. I am not one who needs the instant gratification of getting the trip over and checked off my list.

[mattj23464]

Money, so im planning on selling my house so I can go on a thru hike starting in march

[rgarling]

There is no place to go worth the effort of getting there; however, if I'm there (wherever) I usually enjoy it.

[Ktaadn]

It is money. If money was unlimited, I wouldn't need to work and I could afford to take my family with me.

[PackHorse]

Time... Right now it's the large block of time I would need. So, until then I do things that I can fit in, multi-day, week long, or a few weeks. Just hoping that the health holds out until retirement happens. I'm not willing to sell out and go now because I want to be able to choose a nice retirement home when I'm old. : ')

[rafe]

Money. Language. Disease and/or political strife at the destination. All sorts of things.

My wife and I both did plenty of adventurous traveling when we were younger... but these days we're more risk-averse, you might say.

[dudeijuststarted]

Money for food, shelter, clothing, and health insurance. Society and government have formed a nice little trap with the capitalist class-system and the "affordable" health care act. On the same token, it can be used to one's advantage. I no longer have delusions about "career satisfaction," and happily show up to work saving for future adventures and a small little property to live on in between them. I beat the system once, I'll do it again, and will go to my grave having lived life on my terms.

[runt13]

Time off from work!

RUNT ''13''

[Spirit Walker]

Husband and dog. Neither can do much hiking any more, so neither do I.

[MuddyWaters]

Children. Doing their stuff is more important use of time and money.

[Berserker]

In order of priority it's kids, time and then money. I have some money to do some cool stuff, but not a lot of time (work full time and only get vacation and holidays). Then of course #1 is the kids right now although they are starting to get older, and likely will push time and money to the forefront pretty soon.

[Uriah]

I read some of the destinations on the question posted,"where would you go if you could anywhere," and I am surprised that some destinations are in the US

This shouldn't be all that surprising; money or no, the US plays host to some of the most spectacular landscapes. I've been one of the fortunate ones here and have traveled extensively (75+ countries at last count), and each time I venture somewhere new within the US, I'm happy to have done so.

Sure, China, Norway, Iceland, Africa, New Zealand and the Middle East (et al) all possess more of the same sort of awe, but visiting them does necessitate more...more money, more time allotted, more courage, more hassle, and so on. Plus, we're fortunate here in the US to have a government who at least thinks about conservation, and for the time being, there's enough to see in this country to last at least a thousand lifetimes. Hell, I've been playing in Southern Utah for three decades now and still find new spots and new inspiration every week. Thoreau said a man could live his entire life within a twenty-mile radius and still not discover every wonder within. We needn't always think big.

[rafe]

Southern Utah has some amazing scenery.

[naturlred]

Thank you all for answering. I knew there had to be many reasons but I am quite shocked at a few answers.

For me, personally, Southern Utah is the place to be. No amount of money could keep me from visiting here time and time again.

As for all of you with hopes of reaching your dream place.... all in good time. Take care of business first(whatever that may be), it will make it even more wonderful when you finally reach your destination.

[bayouboy]

Money is the root of my problem because if I had plenty of money I wouldn't have to work which would free up a enormous amount of time. But because of house note and normal living expenses not working is not a option and takes the most of my time


Ben

[DavidNH]

lack of money and lack of a buddy/partner to go with.