One of my favorite rides is what I call a “Tour of Duty.” Rather than referencing a perilous military action, this kind of tour involves beer breweries, distilleries, museums, salons, wineries, and vineyards.
In early July, I met five guys near Newburgh, NY, and drove them around upstate New York to tour beer breweries and a whiskey distillery. They were all friends celebrating one guy’s birthday and his impending wedding. (I jokingly offered him my condolences and congratulations.)
The tour started at 11:00am and finished at 6:00pm. All of them had a fun time and they tipped well.
Later in July, I brought four ladies into Manhattan for a Spa Tour. They were getting ready for a wedding the next day and this was a “Girl’s Day Out” before the Big Day. They had their nails and hair done as well that afternoon. They all seemed to enjoy it.
I’m mid-August, I brought six ladies on a tour to various wineries in upstate New York, again near Newburgh, NY. When I picked them up at 9:15am, they were all very coherent. By the time I dropped them off at 17:45, I couldn’t understand a word they were saying because the wine had taken effect!
I enjoyed their company; they were all having a fine old time. I found it funny that the ladies became happier and more intoxicated, as the wine tour progressed throughout the afternoon.
The six ladies – who were celebrating the 40th birthday of one of them in the group – must have each had a whopping hangover the next morning. They were very generous… they gave me a $200 tip!
As I write this article, I’m parked on 53rd Street waiting for five passengers – who are on a Museum Tour – to exit the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). The grandparents are trying to “culturalize” their grand kids. Good Luck!
To conclude, I enjoy my various Tours of Duty. I get to watch my passengers enjoy their libations, whether it is beer, whiskey or wine.
