Getting to the airport took an hour, the flight was hours long and cab ride to the city was tiresome. After checking in, all you could do was flop down in your hotel room bed. Get a healthy eight-hour snooze.

Tho the temptation is to stay in bed, rise early to do some healthy activities the next morning. Go out for an hour of brisk walking, maybe mix some jogging into your pace. Not only will it give you a chance to see city sights before the streets become busy, it will also pump your body and mind with renewed energy.

After a fast-paced hour or two, rest while eating a healthy restaurant breakfast. Juice, fruit and a scrambled egg should give you energy for the rest of the morning hours. Go easy on the fatty and sweet menu. As you later tour the city, mix in some serious hiking before you go back to your hotel. For each hour hiked, spend five minutes resting on a park bench, hotel lobby and/or quick afternoon nap in your room. Then, enjoy an evening at the theater or club.

New York and other states may soon enact laws forbidding the dangerous practice. Countless times on travels in busy cities I’ve almost collided with clueless texters blocking the sidewalk, either standing stupidly in the middle or shuffling along into foot traffic with eyes glued to little boxes.

Also I hold my breath as distracted texters cross busy streets with little awareness of traffic. Several weeks ago in New York City, I passed a distressed woman sitting on the curb while an ambulance crew examined her injured arm and neck. She was a texter who had been hit while crossing the street. Fortunately for her, she had collided only with speedy, equally stupid scooter riders, who were busy sexting.

First, of course, is if advanced age and/or physical condition are not strong, don’t travel alone. When you must go solo, take all personal precautions to avoid accidents, illness and street crimes.

When walking on busy city streets, don’t attract attention by wearing fancy clothes and exposed jewelry. Do your sightseeing and shopping during busy daylight hours, with wallet in zipped coat pocket or strapped handbag held tightly under an arm.

Be aware of all surroundings when using your phone, preferably in a case and strapped to a wrist. Every morning ask at the hotel front desk about safety in the area, as well as recommended restaurants and stores. Avoid eating from open air food carts and street vendors in parks and other public areas.

This holiday tradition is when we honor those who fought and died for our freedom. The Middle East and U.S. oil moguls feel free on the day by boosting already-inflated prices of gas to highway robbery levels.

According to the app GasBuddy, the national average will go over $3 a gallon. In California and other heavy driving states it could go as high as $5. All we senior roadies can do is find ways of fighting back. Patronize stations that offer the lowest prices, do ride-sharing for local and long holiday drives, and think seriously of getting an all-electric for your next car purchase.