Q: My spouse and I are considering driving round trip from San Francisco to visit relatives in Cleveland. If we fly, with parking, security and plane changes, it would take at least 14 hours each way, and cost for two is $3,000 or more round trip.

If we drive straight through, our cost for gas and food will be about $500 total. Taking turns at the wheel, we hope to make the drive in about 20 hours each way. When much younger, we did cross-country driving several times, but are now in our late 60s. Is it a good idea at our age?  MRMcL, San Francisco CA

Generally, find parks and other areas that don’t involve too much crossing of busy streets, especially if you’re out during heavy drive times.

For example, start at the National Mall, where you can run the two miles around the perimeter from the Capitol steps to the Lincoln Memorial. Or ventune into the Reflecting Pool area where there are always interesting events, such as political rallies, exercise classes and school groups.

You can jog past DuPont Circle and up Embassy Row from Massachusetts Avenue, observing the stately lines of elegant buildings and imagine all the political intrigue and posh social events you'll never get to see. If you happen to jog around the Capital Hill area on a Saturday or Sunday, you may see the outdoor street marketers offering fresh veggies, baked goods and old family heirlooms.

For more than a century the huge waterfront market has offered shops featuring fresh meat, seafood and poultry. Also candy, cake, veggie and fruit stands, florists, gift shops and great restaurants.

Chomping down on scrumptious Washington State apples and cherries fresh picked from nearby orchards may be a highlight of your visit. Also, Pike Place’s most famous attraction and photo target is the ceremony of the throwing of the fish.

The enormous variety of fresh seafood draws locals from miles around. Additionally, the Pike Place fish mongers sell preserved seafood products for tourists to take with them, as well as package and mail as gifts for the folks at home.

If you’re driving, be aware of the limited parking spaces at Pike Place Market. It could cost $20 to $40 for a multi-hour visit. Consider going by bus or cab. pikeplacemarket.org

Your night-roaming travel4seniors.com editor captures a scene of the three-year-old super skyscraper, The Shard. The tallest building in the United Kingdom, it looms over the Thames River, Tower of London and other famed city landmarks.