Saturday, October 24, 2015

Good News / Bad News

OK, first the bad news. We are all getting older. Nothing we can do about it. I now find myself occasionally qualifying for "senior" discounts, which is weird. I don't think of myself as a senior citizen, but what can you do?

So now the good news. I went to Joshua Tree National Park last weekend prepared to buy a new annual pass (my current pass was expired). I handed my expired pass and driver's license to the park ranger, got $30 out of my wallet, and was surprised to hear her say "You qualify for the Senior Pass!" Really?? What does that cost?? She said "$10". Wow, $10 for the year, that's a pretty good discount. "No", she says, "$10 for your lifetime."
She must have noticed the incredulous look on my face... and proceeded to say that the pass not only gets me into all National Parks, but into all properties managed by the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Dept. of the Interior, and the Fish and Wildlife Service. All for $10. For the rest of my life. Oh, and it includes anyone else I can fit in my car!! Wow, no wonder the government is broke! If you're 62 or older, quick, go out and buy a Senior Pass before someone wakes up and realizes they should be charging 10 times this amount!!
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23 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlOctober 24, 2015 at 5:17 PM

    sweet! :)

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  2. CloudiaOctober 24, 2015 at 5:20 PM

    Nicely expressed









    ALOHA
    ComfortSpiral

    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

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  3. Ruth HiebertOctober 24, 2015 at 6:11 PM

    That sounds like a sweet deal.

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  4. Sallie (FullTime-Life)October 24, 2015 at 6:12 PM

    We've been using ours for 15 years or more and I can't even count any more the number of places ... I bought one for myself too, even tho we could both get in on one .... Assuaging my guilt complex I guess. It really is the best bargain in the world! Beautiful Joshua Tree!

    Ps: I should have credited John Lennon for using his line from my favorite song on my imagine ...post. But I don't think he will mind ))

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  5. StephanieOctober 24, 2015 at 8:00 PM

    That is a fabulous deal you got there. Stunning shot!

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  6. AndyOctober 25, 2015 at 1:50 AM

    Don't every tell the government they are losing money.

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  7. Laura~Pretty PixOctober 25, 2015 at 2:10 AM

    Great sunset! Yep, getting old has some advantages.
    Not telling how long I've had mine... I'd be confessing my age, which still scares me when I say it out loud!

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  8. s.cOctober 25, 2015 at 3:41 AM

    Great shot again and yes I know that feeling when somebody say that you are in the senior age. Sometimes its just the way around when they won't give the discount because they don't believe you are that old and then to prove it with your identity card. Those faces are priceless.

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  9. Nancy ChanOctober 25, 2015 at 5:19 AM

    Yes, I also feel weird when I was told to go straight to the senior's counter at the bank without having to wait for my number. But now I have gotten used to it and enjoying the benefits. You have a way much better deal than we have, For all the benefits just for $10 for a lifetime is a wonderful deal.

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  10. trav4adventuresOctober 25, 2015 at 6:00 AM

    I got my $10 lifetime pass when we were in Joshua Tree, at the Cottonwood station let's see...2 years ago! :LOVE IT!
    ~Cheryl Ann~

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  11. BarbOctober 25, 2015 at 8:54 AM

    However, if you are not a senior they've upped the price of entry to $20 per car! Or $80 per year. Ugghh. No, they are not losing money, I assure you.

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  12. John @ Beans and I on the LooseOctober 25, 2015 at 10:08 AM

    I went through the very same experience as you did when I pulled up to the kiosk booth at Big Bend National Park in Texas. After parting with my $10 and pulling away from the booth I was giddy with my good fortune yet it left me scratching my head for several miles on. "Did I understand her right? This card is good forever? No more paying to get in National parks and lands, plus discounts for camping? Naw, something's not right here." My first real test was at Arches National Monument in Utah. I pulled up to the booth with the card in one hand and a fist full of dollars in the other hand. The ranger lady waved me on through and wished me a good time. Smiling, I stuffed the unneeded dollars in my pocket and I've since been enjoying the benefits of this card ever since. Enjoy it.

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  13. MichelleOctober 25, 2015 at 4:25 PM

    Nice!!

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  14. Yogi♪♪♪October 25, 2015 at 4:36 PM

    I got one a few years ago and I was only 58. I didn't ask any questions. Biggest bargain ever.

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  15. JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes)October 25, 2015 at 5:52 PM

    We got our pass a few years ago - actually could have gotten it earlier than we did, but didn't know about it. We've certainly gotten our use out of it since we got it - and plan to use it a lot more. Great photo!!!!

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  16. AmyOctober 26, 2015 at 12:03 AM

    We have similar offers here called Gold Cards. Unfortunately at 44 years old I've got a few years to go :-)

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  17. Author R. Mac WheelerOctober 26, 2015 at 6:23 AM

    ha! something to look forward to.

    Love that shot

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  18. KorynOctober 27, 2015 at 12:25 AM

    This entry made me chuckle! My mom loves using her senior citizen discounts. EVERYWHERE we go, she always checks if she can use it.
    Cool though how it can save you a lot with some purchases and/or passes ;)

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  19. Jackie McGuinnessOctober 29, 2015 at 6:30 AM

    Took our first trip to Joshua Tree last week!! But didn't get senior discount because we are Canadian, but didn't mind.

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  20. Billy Blue EyesOctober 30, 2015 at 2:47 AM

    Awesome, wish they did something like that here.

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  21. eileeninmdOctober 30, 2015 at 4:01 AM

    Lol, I plan on getting one too. But, I have a few more years to wait. Love the photo, gorgeous!

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  22. AnonymousOctober 31, 2015 at 1:46 PM

    Amazing shot!!! What a wonderful tree, its silhouette beautifully photographed against a marvellous coloured sky.

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  23. Indah Nuria SavitriNovember 3, 2015 at 8:43 AM

    I take the good news...Any discounts will be warmly welcome. And I love the photo! Fantastic..

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