The long-term cruise I heard about would have you on the same ship with pretty much the same people all the time ... which sounds like it could get kind of claustrophobic in regard to the people. The river cruises sound nice - the advantage of being in the same room all along is appealing. Although I understand the Viking cruises involve little, if any, looting and pillaging.

I have gotten to the point in today's workload where the only things I have to do are things I really just don't want to start. And a meeting.

Although I understand the Viking cruises involve little, if any, looting and pillaging.

Well shoot, in that case forget it!!

I remember someone (Lisah?) went on a barge(?) trip in France that sounded amazing?

My aunt, cousin, and cousin's daughter went on a Rhine (I think) cruise and loved it. And they're all seasoned travelers, so I believe them when they tell me I'd like it. In fact they had a different one scheduled for 2020, but, of course, that didn't happen.

It's in my package of things I'd like to do. But when? Who knows. There are a lot of things in that travel pack of ideas.

Oh! I am going to Austin for business from 11/1-4, so that's a thing. I've been invited to a "house party with ecstatic dancing." I both don't think that's my jam and am SO curious. We'll see.

Who's in Austin? I know there are some Texas peeps, but I also know Texas is big. I have no idea what my free time will be like, but I'm sure the will be some. If I'm not dancing ecstatically, that is.

There are companies which do cruises on the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee rivers. I think there are also Great Lakes and St. Lawrence river cruises.

There are also cruises up the coast of Alaska.

That's what I've been on, part of the coast of Alaska. It was terrific! Highly recommend. [Not the ferry, the other one. The ferry cruise was very very different and not a normal thing - still an enjoyable experience but just not in the same ballpark or league or whatever] I've wanted to do a Mississippi river cruise for forever, ideally on a paddlewheel boat. Or, you know, raft because I am impractically romantic like that. As a child in Baton Rouge I saw a play put on by a theater troupe that reportedly was traveling down the river by raft between shows and that made quite an impression.

I've been invited to a "house party with ecstatic dancing."

I am *fascinated*, and you have to give us a full report.

Avoid the serpents.

Is the ecstatic dancing required? That *is* intriguing.