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THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 
Freighter Destroys Part of Florida's Sunshine Skyway Bridge (1980)
The original Sunshine Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay was completed in 1954. A new southbound span was opened in 1971, but only nine years later, it was destroyed when the freighter Summit Venture collided with a support column during a storm, sending more than 1,200 ft (366 m) of the bridge plummeting into the bay. The collision caused several automobiles and a bus to fall 150 ft (46 m), killing 35 people.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 
Nelson Mandela Inaugurated as South Africa's First Black President (1994)
Mandela served as the first democratically elected President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. His political activism began after 1948 with an initial commitment to non-violent mass struggle. Later, his anti-apartheid activities led to his imprisonment for nearly 30 years. Released in 1990, he was elected president of the African National Congress and represented it in the turbulent negotiations that led to the establishment of majority rule.

I'm looking at a several week kind of stay in Provence and Tuscany some day.  My wife wants to see the kids who are mostly on the Pacific coast and that soaks up some time and money.  Then we have the 30 day cruise next March. 

I'd rather spend 30 days in Provence and Tuscany than 30 days on a cruise.

I'd rather spend 30 days in Texas in January/February

the drive is shorter than travel to Italy, and WAY cheaper

and I don't have to visit an airport or exchange currency or other annoying issues

well, many Texans are just plain annoying

We have different reasons for traveling, obviously, I'm sure most of us do.  Some don't like much at all, which is fine, and cheaper.

I like seeing places I never thought I'd see to get some brief impression of them.  Maybe I'll go back someday, or decide I won't.  Fine.

We like seeing places close to home that sound interesting and worth a day or three.

Then we like relaxing vacations, say at the beach or mountains, where we don't "do" much, but I've discovered we can do this staying at home just fine.

And we like going to France, and Europe, for the food, the experience, to see friends and cousing, etc.  I'm sort of a history maven and there is a lot to see there of course.

I was quite surprised at my first visit to Omaha Beach for example, and to other similar places here and abroad.